The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-08-20
THE TIDAL TRAIN.

lHE llDAL IKAIN.
There was great rush for the tidal
train that morning fran Paris. 1t started
Mt very convenient hour, 9:40 and was
patronized by crowd of people. As
the time for departure approached, there
was the usual outcry for seats. The
French officials, if asked, shrugged their
shoulders and pointed to the nearest car
rfage; what they meant was, that there
was still room and to spare if people did
not cover up extra seats with their be-
longings, and SO monopolize more than
their share. Late arrivals thus neglected
wandered miserably up and down the
whole length of the train, seeking ac-
commodation excitedly, and in vain.
Among the rest were two ladies, one
OF whom, the elder, seemed greatly fur
ried and put out. 81 knew how it
would be-" she cried, in a despairing
voice, every seat is occupied What
shall we do2 why were we so late2"
She was middle-aged, somewhat
plethoric c-lookirg dame, with an air of
much Importance, marred for the moment
by helplessness and ill-temper.
eve shall find places presently. dear
Lady Jones, replied the younger, who
had the rather sycophantic air of hum
bic friend. "The guard will help u.s."
"They never do, and they don't under
stand. Dear, dearl why didn't we come
AL timer 1t was all your fault Hestcr'-
s to the maid who followed them as
" ranged backward along the plat
fVp--''you ought to have packed last
niEAt. What shall we do2 Oh, thank
you SO much!" she cried suddenly, with
effusion. - $50.
r. A gentleman, who apparently had been
watching her distress, pushed open the
door of the carriage he occupied and in
vited her to enter. His companion, an
other man at the far end, made room by
removing rugs and bags, and presently
Lady Jones, with sigh of relief, sank
back into the cushions. Then with fem
mime selfshness, and forgetful of the
trouble she had but just escaped, she pro-
cceded to prevent any one else from get
ting in.
''Cover up the seats well, Millicent, "
she cried, ''and do keep that door shut.
oh, thank you, sir, she added to one of
the men, who seemed to fall in readily
with her idea of keeping the carriage to
themselves.
There was nothing very remarkable
about Lady Jones' new-found friends.
One was tall dark man, with a clean
shaved face, and very dark eyes which
glared out from under the shade of u
black felt hat; the other was smaller-a
restless little freckled-faced man, with a
short red beard cut and trimmed to a
point They did not look like English.
men; but they spoke the language fluent
ly with slight accent.
> The firm, somewhat fierce demeanor of
the dark man had the desired effect
When he said, abruptly, I'll ny a pas de
place." people retired discounted, and as
time was nearly up, Lady Jones began to
hope that their privacy and comfort
would not be disturbed. Almost at the
last moment a man came TO the door,
importunate and persistent.
"Any roomG" he asked in English, as
he stood on the doorstep. Then getting
no answer he repeated the question in
French. "How many are youl" Still
no answer; so he counted for himself,
and went away.
umph was of short duration. The last
arrival came back at once with whole
posse of French officials at his back, the
chief of whom, in a voice of authority,
repeated the inquiry.
''How many are your Four2 More to
Gomez Impossiblel The train is start
ing. Entrez, monster; entreZ, vite;"
and the next minute the stranger was
bundled into the carriage, the door was
shut with bang the horns sounded,
and the train went off at express speed.
The occupants of the carriage, Lady
Jones in particular, resented this uncere-
monious intrusion.
extraordinarily she said in loud
aside to Millicent people never know
when they are in the way
$50 forward and presumingw replied
the young lady.
SIN my country" said the dark man,
''men never intrude themselves on ladies.
They wait to be asked"
"We have very short way Of settling
with them if they do" added the short
man, Extensively.
"And pray what do you do with them, "
asked the last conner, quietly.
nc was COOL anu eell- llOsscSSCu, VIII Il
broad face framed in by squarecut gray
ish whiskers. His upper lip was clean
shaven, showing his firm, rather hard
mouth, and his blue eyes were steady
and penetrating. Not a man to be trifed
with, in spite of his calm manner and
unobtrusiye demeanor,
"What do you do with themi' he
repeated, looking hard at the insolent
little red man.
''Pitch them out of the window, or on
to the line"
"Would you like to do it now2n said
the other
"Be quiet, Thaddy," interposed the
dark man; remember there are ladies
present"
Don't mind me, gentlemen, if you
wish to give him a lesson" said Lady
Jones, who had esp poused the part of her
first friends.