Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-07-18
THE TIDAL TRAIN.

There was great rush for the tidal
train that morning franz Paris. 1t started
at very convenient hour $40, and was
patronized by a 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
liage; 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. ~ knew how it
would be-" she cried, in a despairing
voice, "every scat is occupied What
shall we do2 why were we SO late2"
She was middleaged. somewhat
plethoric looki-g dame, with an air of
much importance, marred for the moment
Wy hCl JlCHoHCSS duNt lll-lClu per.
'We shall find places presently, dear
Lady Jones, replied the younger, who
had the rather sycophantic air of hum
BILE friend. "The guard will help u.s."
'"They never do, and they don't under
stand. Dear, dear! why didn't we come
in time2 1t was all your fault Hester
this to the maid who followed them as
they ranged backward along the plat
form-'you ought to have packed last
night. What shall we do2 Oh, thank
you so much" she cried suddenly, with
etfusion.
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 forgetfuI of the
trouble she had but just escaped, she pro-
ceeded to prevent any one else from get
ting in.
Cover up the seats well, Milliccnt,' u
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 a
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 dcmeanor Of
the dark man had the desired effect.
When he said, abruptly, 'Il NY pas de
place." people retired discounted, and as
time was nearly up, Lady Jones began to
hope that their privacy and comfort
would not lie disturbed. Almost at the
last moment man came to the door,
importunate and persistent.
"Any room?" he asked in English, as
he stood on the doorstep. Then getting
no answer, he repeated the question in
French. elbow many are you?" Still
no answer; so he counted for himself,
and went away.
Lady Jones was delighted but her tri-
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 voice of authority,
repeated the inquiry.
GLOW many are you2 Four2 More 70
come? Impossible! The train is start
ing. Entrez, monster; entrez, vi.e;;''
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.
"Extraordinaryw she said, in loud
aside to Millicent. "People never know
when they are in the way"
$50 forward and presumingm replied
the young lady.
Gin my country" said the dark man,
"men never intrude themselves on ladies
They wait to be asked"
"We have a 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.
He was cool and self-possessed, with {
broad face framed in by square-cut gray
ish whiskers. His upper lip was clean
shaven, showing his firm, rather harG
mouth, and his blue eyes were STEADY
and penetrating. Not man to be trifet
with, in spite of his calm manner ant
unobtrusive dcmeanor,
"What do you do with them9" h,
repeated, looking hard at the insolen
little red man.
"Pitch them out of the window, or OF
to the line"
"Would you like to do it now9" sal,
the other.
"Be quiet, Thaddy," interposed tn
dark man; remember there are ladie
present.
Don't mind me, gentlemen, if yol
wish to give him a lesson" said Lad,
Jones, who had esp oused the part of he
first friends.
The Englishman looked at her rathe
keenly, but made no remark. Nor, al
though they continued to talk at him anc
about him for the next half hour, did h
take any further notice of them, bu
read a novel attentively which he hat
extracted from his little black bag. b
the time they reached Amiens, quite
pleasant intimacy had sprung up be
tween Lady Jones and the two men. TIL
four went to the buffet and breakfaste
together. Returning to their carriaG
they found that the Englishman had dis
appeared, so they made merry at his e2
pense.
But they had not done with him yet
He was there on the quay as the trai
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