Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-24
a. sir.'" the latter said

"Mr Hodson. sir'" the latter said,
with an inquiring glance.
That's about what they call me-" he
answ cred. slowly. as he opened a capacious
dressing bag covered with crocodile hide
Do you expect any friends to join you
further along, sir 2'
mot that know o." was the answer.
and pair Of dark blue velvet slippers,
with initials worked in gold. were fished
out and thrown upon the seat beside him.
But when the conductor had got one Of
the lower sleeping -brrths made ready, and
the traveller had completed his leisurely
arrangements for. passing the night in
comfort, Il somewhat one-sided converse
ton ensued. This gaunt, slow -speaking
reserved man proved to he quite laxative
in curious, measured. dry, and staccato
fashion and IL his conversation consisted
chiefly of questions, these showed that he
had very honest aud simple concern in
the welfare Of this other human being
whom chance had thrown in his way and
that he could express his friendly interest
without any touch of patronage or con-
descension. He asked first about the rail
way line--how the company's servants
were paid, what were their hours on duty,
whether they had formed any associations
for relief in case Of sickness. what this
particular man got for his work, whether
he could look forward to any lettering of
his lot, and so forth. And then. fixing his
eyes more scrutinizingly on his companion,
lily affairs-where he lived, what
children he had, how often he saw
them, and the like and these questions
were 80 obviously prompted by no idle
curiosity, but by In honest sympathy, and
by the apparent desire of one human
being to get to understand fully and
clearly the position aud surroundings aud
prospects Of this other fellow creature,
that II was impossible for any orc to take
otfense.
And how old is your little girl -
Eight, sir: she will De nine In May
nextI
What do you call her'"
"Caroline, sir"
with his eyes-which were. usually calm
and ohservant-lighting mp with some
surprise. THAT is the name OF my girl
too, though l can't call her little any
more. Well, now. he added" as he took
out his purse and selected sovereign
about what you ought to do. When you
get back to Camden Town you start an
account in the Post-office Savings Bank.
In your little girls name, and you put ia
whenever you have an odd siXpeuce or
shilling to give her-a birthday present or
that-you keep adding on and on. and
there will be nice little sum for her In
after-years. And If ever she asks, you can
tell her it was the father of an American
,
and If she grows up TO be as good girl as
the American Carry, she'll do very well.
think"
The conductor scarcely knew how to ex-
press his thanks, but the American cut
him short, saying, Coolly:
" don't give the sovereign to you at all
1t is in trust for your daughter And you
don't look to me the kind of man who
would go and drink it,"
He took out all evening newspaper, and
Qf he int nntn h,
get ready the berths in the other end of
the car. When he came back again to see
u the gentleman wanted anything fur.
ther for the night. they had Numbered
along the line until they were nearing
"Why, yes" Mr.. Hodson said, In an.
swer to the question, you might get me
bottle OF saltwater when we get TO the
station"
81 have soda water in the car. sir"
Bring me a bottle, then, please
And shall get anything else for you,
at Rugby"
mo, thank you"
When the man returned with the soda
water, the traveller had taken from his
dressing bag bottl labelled Bromide OF
his customary sleeping draught, when II
occurred TO him that perhaps this con
ductor could tell him something Of the
new and far country into which he wat
about to adventure for the first time
And in making these inquiries he showed
that he was just as frank spoken about
his own plans and circumstances as he eX
pected other people to be about theirs
When the conductor confessed that hi
knew next to nothing about the north o.
Scotland, never having been further thar
Perth and even then his knowledge of thu
country being confined to the railway lin,
and the stations. Mr.. Hodson went on e
say in that methodical way of his, will
little rising infections here and there;
"Well, IT'S bound to be different from
London, anyway. 1t can't be like Lon
don and that's the main thing for me
Why, that London fog, never moving
same in the morning, same at night. III