Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-01-16
A DANGEROUS VIRTUE.
By JAMES PAWN,


Every one (perhaps) knows the story
of Presence-of-Mind Tomkyns (of OrieD
who gained his prmnomen from ham
mering with an oar the fingers of tho
young lady who chung to his boat,
which she would otherwise have upset
and drowned him: but his is not the
only instance wherein that admirable
virtue has been displayed to its posses
sor's disadvantage. Except, indeed, in
tho case OF running away at once on the
first hint of danger (where it is almost
impossible to go wrong), am inclined
to doubt whether presence of mind is q
virtue. ! have known so many cases
wherein people endowed with this high
| ly eulogized quality have, in what tho
French call supreme moments CAN
glice marrow shaves," "muckersnO,
done such things with sang-froid and
unprecedented good judgment as they
have repented OF, but could never atone
for, all their lives
once performed an action of this
kind myself, which proved so far from
presence of mind, being only second
in point Of advantage in y railway ac-
cident to "absence of body" that hardly
anything can be less desirable; and as
the public travel n great deal by rail
way, the recital of it may interest them.
was a passenger one night by the
Scotch express to Edinburgh, and as
might have been expected from one
possessing the qualities in question, had
taken care to make myself particularly
comfortable. Pullman and sleeping
cars were unknown in those DAYS, but
had secured the seat opposite me for
my feet, and was rs we'll fortified
against the cold as q late dinner at "the
Rag" with glass of "sixty-year-old"
brandy to follow, within, and ulster and
rugs without, could make me. | had
friend (no, too suspicious reader, not
n lady-it was the limited mail train)
beside me similarly situated and in the
| third seat beyond was an urbane stran-
| ger with his legs up, who. from his dis
Greet silence and his having secured the
seats on the off side where nobody could
disturb him, | concluded to be diplo.
matist. Having awakened at Carlisle.
| got out for another petit verre OF
brandy much Younger than that | had
had at the club), and on returning tc
my carriage found, to my horror,
the seat for my feet occupied otherwise,
by an intruder, and person, too, of
class TO whom the term ~ rough Gus.
toner" would not have been inapplica.
bic. Every one who is any one can I'm.
derstand ny indignation. Even in ON.
nibuscs, which are licensed to hold
good manT people, persons already in
possession. however few, resent, | an
IOiG. ihp arrivals OF newcomers; BIZ,
the present outrage was one that WAS
lntolcrabe and Except on the CONT
ncnO absolutely unparalleled. An
Englishman' S house is his castlc but
his two seats in u night train are even
more sacred and peculiar to himself
| was astonished and amazed to the
last degree, but | was not specchleSs.
MY good sir" Isaid, "you have mis-
taken your carriage"
mo, | amt; and l mean to travel in
this un."
''l}ut it is my seat, sir"
Then | suppose YOU sit on your
legs
My friend was asleep zones friends
always are asleep when we need their
assistance), but | saw sly smile flick
err upon the countenance of the diplo-
matist; it was the sort of difficulty
(another mans difficulty that amused
him.
You may not be aware, my good
mar" resumed, 'that it is usual for
gentlemen on long journeys to reserve
two seats for themselves.
Then they ought to take two tick.
ets,' he replied surlily; SHOW me
yourn-hsre's mine right enough" and
he ostentStiously displayed it. 1t was a
second-class one.
! flung down the window and ex.
claimed with professional promptitude,
Guard, turn out should have said, |
of course, Guard, turn out this man. |
but the official (who had half crown
of mine in his pockeD understood the
situation at once. The obnoxious intruder
was instantly hauled forth, eXclaimino
(alscly) that he had been inserted il
the lirst-class for want of room else.
where.
| had once more put up my feet tri"
umphantiy, and was arranging my wraps
as the train moved slowly on, when
perceived q carpct-bag in the rack over
the opposite seat. My nature is not
malicious, and though still smarting
from my recent wrongs, | felt sorry that
the poor man should be parted from his
solitary article of baggage, and think
ing that there was yet time Cor rather
my immense presence of mind not Civ
ing me time to think) plucked the bag
from the rack and threw it violently
out, as rcckoncd, upon the platform;
it fell however, on the line, about ten
yards beyond it.
Good heavens" cried |, hell lose
it,"
ut is no matter" said the diplomat
ist in the softest and creamcst tone
conceivable; "it happens to be my
bag"
You might have knocked me down
with q feather. made hundred apol-
ogies, all of which he acknowledged
with great politeness.
at has my address on it, and will
turn up some day, no doubt"
"How could | have been such an in
fernal fool!' murmured penitently.
Pardon me-" he said, still sweetly
smiling; ''t is not that yon are--the
character you have so graphically de.
scribed, but because you have so much
presence of mind For my part never