New-York tribune., 1885-08-16
RAILWAY TRAVEL IN INDIA.
CURIOUS SCENES AT A STATION.
NATIVES WAITING HOURS FOR A TRAIN-How THE
HlaH cAsrK PEOPLE RIDE.

ALLAnABAD. India, June To-
Although India has been my homo for more
than twelve years, an Indian railway station
has not yet lost Its attraction. In place
| where such throngs OF people are constantly
coming going there ia mich to interest "a well a.
an observant traveller. One pleasant feature Oh
the railway stations Is the profuson ana variety Oh
towering plants usually found. After passing through
region CT country almost destitute OF verdurc, IL Is
refreshing suddenly uron scene OF noral
beauty,-lovey IN their season. rare flowers IN
abundance, luxuriant foliage graceful creepers and
vevety turf. Tho railway authorities encourage the
cultivation OF the bit OF ground around each railway
the country. thus giving pleasant occupation to
their employees who have leisure for such diversion as
we'll great enjoyment to travellers
Tue crowds Of natives Mt every station arc feature OF
Indian travel that impesses anj interests stranger
VITA proper conception or the value OF timc tho
native yet mpre ssed with the fact that railway trains
do not wait tardy passengers; and consequently
honrs before the departure OF train natives may be
seen sl,ug wherever thoy hnd space, and rushing
hithei aa thlther in distracted manner Whenever
train from any direction appears, the hgh-easte
Brahmn ani tho outcass jostlng each othor In their
anxiety place before the impatient iron horse
rushes way. At large railway stations where the trao
great the majority OF natives travelling as thircass
passengers purchase their tickets at separatc window
outside and shut oil from the platform by gates
Thls barred ont, often huddled together ike
frightened sheep a crowd OF people waiting FOR tho
opening OF tho window and tho appearance OF hc Vehder
| OF tickets when they rush wildly forward and from
mauy folds OF cloth other mysterious hiding place
bring forth llttle heap OF treasure tho proe OF their
Journey watch they exchange for ticket When all the
applicants have been supplied. the gltos thrown
open and there another rush toward the train railway
employees at the heels OF he flying mutude trying TO
guide them but tho poor creatures in their excitement
| rush wildly about, attracted by any open door.
II by chance they attempt to enter a nrst-class
carriage n reception awaits them that speedily turns
their another direction. Some OF the travellers
find the right place and painting. sink down glad al last
to nnd n spot where they may rest; but like driven
sheep others follow. until tho compartment Is literally
choked and n railway guard the Some
| times in wild efforts to Ind seat the precious
| moments consumoi,-the train glides out OF tho
station and leaves staring after IL with astonshed eyes
hapcss creatures who VIII sit demurey upon their
launches until tho coming Of another train They do
not make much ado. these patient mortals. their
fate" they Sigh aad oonsolng themselves with the
hookah aud satisfying their hunger with fow han dfus
| OF parchcd grain they quietly wait
The women looking tlmdly from under their wells
ami norYousy anxious TO keep near their mals pro-
| tectors tho ornaments feet md ankles unkng
muslcay they shuis along. always iatorcs met and
the chlkiren with wondering eyes and FREQ. graceful
movements pretty sight Sometimes hish caste
woman OF wealth Il brought 10 tho train 10 litter
carried BIZ servants take their coy burden 70 tho
door OF the compartment in the railway carriage which
some other mao relative cautiously lifts tho curtain OF
tho litter aud the closely yelled woman glldes In.
lealousy c0ncealing her charms from curious eyes
Oocasionay figures completely euyolopod In long
rhe garments tho face entirely powered and only the
eyes visible It Is impossible determine whether those
silent creatres cropping saonS aud carefully protected
| orc ancient danes or blooming darnsels.
Whom II was proposed to introduce railways into india
the Brahuns objected TO ths innovation this ground
that pilgrims 70 distant shrines might avail themselves
such mode OF conveyance and thus lose tho merit TO
acquired by tolsoms ourneyin3 foot Their fears
wore founded for fev trains arrive depart that
| do not boar PILGRIMS 70 sons shrinei aud at soms
seasons OF the year special trains called pilgrim trans
necessary the number OF travellers IL 80 great that
they conveyed By tho usual number. During
mela religious festival tho sosno at great railway
station. lIks Alahabai. doass description. There arc
crowds OF pgrmA men. women and children. tho rleh
and poor. tho old and tho youns sMany have Jour
| ncyed long distances ani worn and iwcary. To
many the first experience OF srailway ltrays and
they cc a sonse relief lwhen theY roai the firm earth
when they roach tholr homes. what tales
they will TO toll OF tho soniers bfIhe. ralwayi-of
tho strange monster OF Iron ani brass with wheels
Instead OF feet which eats coal and drinks water NJ
every stage brcathos aro ami smoke pants Ike borse
screams llks an elephant and Is stronger and faster
| than either" Tho train that brings swarm OF
pill srin alsp takes away multitudonany OF whom bear
back their homes vessels filed with w1te from tho
| sacred Ganges
| When tho lordly Brahmin found that his land so
ancient and renowned not TO bo exempt from that
modern a5omnltlon. tho railway ho proudly declared
| that he should not be seduoef from tho ways OF his
fathers and for ne no content TO Journey By slow
stages In carts drawn by buooks But even he was at
last iorcel to almll that there advantages IN rail-
way trayel for hs Iorishp, the Brahmin. though he
bolsts descent higher than that OF kings. has not
always pethorc and even his mind supposed to
be cngrosssi In meiatons upon things saoroi could
grasp the ea that II would certainly DO TO his adyan-
tage necessity required him 10 travel TO make tho
journey at small pooInary cost rs possible. But
| conld he travel With tho common herd Such an idea
conid not be entertained for "A moment He woad con-
| descend to tho railway IL the Government would
agree to furnish carases Perhap, the authorities
onght have been impressed ny slch measure OF con-
dcsccason. bat they were not and firmly refused TO
mako concession. At length the-e lords OF
tho land Yielded tho inevitable and Jolrncyed IA tho
same carriage with ordinary mortals. Doubtless tho
| prldo OF the Brlhmin soroy wounded and with
grace submitted TO tho indsny at tho outset but
accepts without remonsranco condition OF things
| which he npis himself powcress to remedy.
Wealthy natives travel In state not infrelucntly in
reserved Carriages, sometimes aspiring TO the
dignity OF special train. not only tha. they may be FREQ
from intrusion but IN order 10 maintain the state becOm
ing teir Long hats usually made Mt the chief
cities along the route and at Aahabad have frequently
soon native gentleman arrdyed In flowing robes richly
embroldcro1 an1 nrban Of vast dcnsons allght from
nrs-class reserved carriage and with naughty men.
not cOndescendng 10 be Interested or amused by any
| thing that passing around hih, walk up and down
the platform very far from his carriage. and
always followed by a small army OF re,auers In monde
| script livery. Sometimes thrown gracefully the
shoulders OF ono OF these fine gentlemen superb
Kashnlr shawl. sono OF these elegant travellers aro
native princes their way 10 slina 10 pay their
respects to tho yiccroy; others making pilgrimage
| 10 some famous shrine.
Less Important personages Of wealth with
seat in irrt-elAss carriage. The great majority OF
| frnYolera howeYor hlgh caste well low easte