Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-27
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4 RAILWAY ADVENTURE.

nover travel alone m railway car.
rage now. Like most other people.I had
bit of . fright when the LEROY affaIr
took place on the Brighton line; but my
mind was not fully made up until ] had q
little experience of my own.
Nothing very horrible. dear reader, 80
You need not brace your nerves a. pre-
limrn4rv to perusing my narrative; but
sufficiently unpleasant the adventure was
to ensure my ever after seeking company
on my journeys. :,
These little incidents are all very well
| in a mans lifetime. but their repetition is
not desirable so now take the very or
binary precaution of sedulously cultivat-
| ing the society of my fellow-men when
travel along the line.
But until couple of years ago, / still
had propensity for securing compar.-
ment to myself whenever | was going
any considerable distance.
Such unsociability Is. | suppose, char
acteristic OF onr nationality; at any rate,
so acting. one evening in July. when
was returning to my home at winchester,
! walked down the platform at Waterloo.
elancing covetously into the carriages for
an empty compartment.
There was one in front, irst-class smok-
ing, and as the train started in minute
or 80. and was seldom crowded, felt toll
erably sure that should have all the room
to myself.
was very tired, and quite looked for
ward to stretching myself comfortably
across the seat while we sped along in the
twilight.
It was the last train, and l knew we
should only stop at Basingstoke before
reached my destination--just pleasant
run; time to smoke couple OF cigars;
and with both windows down. to have the
fresh air putting through as we ratified
across Surrey and Hants.
got leisurely in, taking my only lug
gage, a small, brown leather portmanteau
with me.
Another minute, and we should be off.
l Invested myself of my light dust coat.
for the weather was extremely sultry.
placed nv hat on the rail above, pulled out
my velvet smoking-cap. lit cigar. and
settled myself costly in the farthest corner.
The collector was coming along the
train, examining tickets. heard the
Gust binary slamming of the doors, which
marked his rapid progress, and-yes. |
have the compartment to myself. No!
confound him. here was passenger
He had left it until the very last mo-
ment. only wish he had left it until a
moment later.
Tickets, please" said the collector.
and both | and the new arrival showed
our pasteboards-mine for Winchester,
bis tor Southampton.
Right, sir"
The door was shut with the usual smart
bang, there was the guards shrill whistle,
and we were of.
Just as we were gliding from the sta
ton. two well-dressed men ran along the
platform, and peered hurriedly into our
compartment They tried the handle of
the door. and had it been possible. would
have entered. but at the pOrter's warning
cry of "Stand back, therer p they desisted,
and contented themselves with resignedly
staring at the train as we left the station.
said, almost involuntarly:
"A near go. that ~ partly with the lazy
sympathy that one always feels for those
who have just missed train. "A near
CO." | repested. and this is the last train :"
My companion seemed to think the re-
mark was addressed to him, and said:
VERY! I've had near go myself"
He sat next the door, and having taken
off bis hat was wiping his forehead.
"You had rush for it, tooP' said.
"Yes," he answered, not much time to
spare"
This is a capital train" | remarked,
with the usual irrelevancy. and with the
vague intention of making myself agreea-
BILE. Doesn't stop before Basingstoke
and covers the distance in just over the
hour. Not bad for forty-eight miles p''
$50 suppose" he answered, and
seemed disinclined for any further con-
verse.
had nothing to read-always disliking
that business in train, tor the shaking
tires my eyes-and there was not much to
see out OF the window at that time of the
evening; so. for want OF any better occu-
patton, indolently surveyed my fellow
passenger through the mist raised by my
Havana.
He undoubtedly had had a smart run
for the train. There were yet big drops
of perspiration high up on his forehead,
which had escaped his pocket handker-
chief, and his breathing was labored and
hard.
he kept staring steadily out of the win
dow as we ran through Chaplain Junction,
and had begun none Of those little prepar-
ations which the experienced traveller
makes to ensure comfort on the journey
His black bag lay on the seat beside him
he retained his long, dark overcoat, and
had replaced his deer stalker hat on his
head.
''You must. indeed. have had a very
near CO." thought. II wonder how
long it will take you to settle down p''
We were tearing past Wimbledon now
and he was still abstractediy gazing
through the open window;
Then. just as came to the conclusion
that my companion was not worth further
observation. he suddenly turned toward
me and said
II didn't like the looks of those men -
What men p' asked rather stupidity.
The men who came up just as we were
starting"
had pretty well forgotten all about it
so said carelessly:
.'Oh. was there anything remarkable
about themp"
81 shouldn't have liked to travel with
them"
"Whyp" inquired.
81 thought they looked like dangerou.
characters"
..IndeedP" said. Il scarcely noticed
them"
s.But did, Y he replied; land feel sure
| they meant mischief. | am ALWAYS ner-