Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-07-25
THE TIDAL TRAIN.


There was q great rush for the tidal
train that morning from Paris. 1t started
a, n very convenient hour, $40, and was
patronized by crowd of people. AS the
time for departure approached, there was
tho usual outcry for seats. The French
officials, If asked, shrugged their shoul-
dcrs and pointed to the nearest carriage
what they meant was, that there was Sill
room and to spare if people did not cover
up extra seats with their belongings, and
| SO monopolize more than their share. Late
! arrivals thus neglected wandered mlser-
ably UP and down the whole length OF the
train, seeking accommodation exeitedly,
and in vain.
Among the rest were two ladies, one OF
whom, the elder, seemed greatly flurried
and put out. 81 knew how it would be, "
she cried, in a despairing voice, every
seat is occupied. What shall wo do? why
were VIC 80 late?"
Sho was n middlc-aged, somewhat pie
thoric-l looking dame, with an air OF much
Importance, marrcd for the moment by
hclplessncss and ill-temper.
awe shall find places presently, dear
Lady jones'" replied the younger, who
had tho rather sycophantic air Of III hum
bic friend 1.-The guard will help us"
"Thoy never do, and they don't un-
dcrstand. Dear, dear! why didn't we
come in time? 1t was all your fault,
IIcster''-this to the maid who followed
them as they ranged backward along the
platform-"you ought to have packed last
night. What shall we do? Oh, thank
you so much - she cried suddenly, with
sflusOn.
\ gentleman, who apparently had been
watching her distress, pushed open the
door of tho 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 a sigh of relief, sank
back into the cushions. Then with fem
inino seliishneas, and forgctful Of the
trouble shc had but just escaped, she pro-
ceeded to prevent any one else from get
ting in.
"Cover up the seats well, Milliccnt, "
sho cried, "and do keep that door shut.
ooh, thank you, sir" she added 10 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 n tall, dark man, with clean
shaved face, and very dark eyes, which
glarcd out from under the shade of bluck
felt hat; the other was smaller a restless
little frccklc-faced man, with short red
beard cut and trimmed to point. They
did not look like Englishmen; but they
spoke the language iluently with slight
accent.
The firm, somewhat fierce demeanor OF
tho dark man bad the desired effect.
Whom he said abruptly, al NY pas dc
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 mo-
mcnt a man came to the door, importu-
nate and persistent.
"Any room?" he asked In English, as
he stood on the doorstep. Then getting
10 answer, he repeated the question in
French. GLOW many are you?" Still
no answer; so ho counted for himself, and
went away.
Lady Jones WAS delighted; bat her tri-
umph WAS OF short duration. The last
arrival came back at once with Il whole
posse Of French officials at his back the
chief of whom, In a voice OF authority,
repeated the inquiry.
GLOW many are you? Four9 More to
come? impossible! The train is starting.
Entrez, monsieur; entrez, vitc;' 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.
Extraordinary ~ she said, In lord
aside to Millicent. "Peoplc never know
when they are in the way"
$50 forward and presumlng!" replied
the young lady.
"In my country" said the dark man,
"men never intrude themselves on ladics.
They wait TO bo asked"
"Wo have very short way Of settling
with them IL they do" added the short
man, Extensively.
"And pray what do you do with them ?"
asked the last conner, quietly.
lie was cool and self-possessed, with a
broad face framed in by squaIe-cut gray
ish whiskers. His upper lip was clean
sharcn, showing his firm, rather hard
mouth, and his blue eyes were steady and
penetrating. Not a man to be trificd with,
in spite Of his calm manner and unobtru-
sive demeanor.
"What do you do with them?" ne re-
peated, 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 now. 20 said
the other.