New Ulm weekly review., 1885-03-18
THE TIDAL TRAIN.
From the London World.


rain that morning from Paris. It start
ed at very convenient hour, 9 40, and
1t was patronized by a crowd of people.
Mossoo was there, Of course, in fine
form, fur coated, although summer was
already come; but the fur coat is de
rigueur with the travelling Gaul, no
less than the courier bag slung over the
shoulder, and the modest portmanteau
Of dirty white canvas containing still
more modest allowance Of linen of the
same ambiguous character. Americans
too, returning from tour through
Europe and a heightened halt in Paris,
OUT own compatriots in every variety;
2ads, captains and countesses; bridal
palr homeward, no longer blushingly
self-conscious, but Enthusiastically bored; 4;
several sets of exclusive people who
aomehow had secured caisse louce to
heir two or three selfish selves.
As the time for departure approached
there was the usual outcry for seats
The French officials if asked shrugged
their shoulders and pointed to the near
est carriage; what they meant was there
was still room and to spare if people
d. not cover up extra seats with their
beLongings, and so monopolize more
bhan their share. Late arrivals thus
neglected wondered miserably up and
down the whole length of the train,
seeking accommodation excitedly and
in vain.
Among the rest were two ladies', one
of whom, the elder, seemed greatly
6urried and put out. II knew how it
would be-" she cried, in despairing
voice, "every seat is occupied! What
shall we do? why were we so late?"
She was middle-aged, somewhat
pletheric looking dame, with an air of
much Importance marred for the mo-
ment by helplessness and ill-temper.
eve shall find places presently, my
dear Lady Jones" replied the younger,
who had the rather sycophantic air of
humble friend. "The guard will help
u.s."
"They never do, and they don't un-
derstand. Dear, dear! why didn't we
come in time? It was all your fault,
Hester"-this to the maid who followed
them as they ranged backwards along
the platform-'you ought to have
packed last night. What shall we do?
., thank you so much!" she cried sud-
denly with effusion.
A gentleman who apparently had
been watching her distress, pushed
open the door of the carriage he occu-
pied and invited her to enter His COM
panion, another 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 feminine selfshness and
forgetfulness Of the trouble she had
just escaped, she proceeded to prevent
any one else from getting in.
"Cover up the seats we'll, Millicent, I"
she cried "and do keep that door shut
Oh, thank you sir" she added, to one Of
the men, who seemed to fall in readily
with her idea of keeping the carriage to
:: themselves.
There was nothing very remarkable
J about Lady Jones new found friends.
One was tall dark man, with clean
shaved face and very dark eyes which
glared out from under the shade of a
black felt hat; the other was smaller
"a restless little freckled face man
with a short red beard cut and trimmed
TO point. They didnot look like Eng
lishmen, but they spoke the language
fuently with slight American &C
cent.
The firm, somewhat fierce, demeanor
of the dark man had the desired effect.
When he said abruptly, I'll ny pas de
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 moment man came
10 the door, importunate and persist
ent.
"Any room? ?" he asked in English, as
he stood on the door step. Then, getting
no answer, he repeated the question in
French. Chow many are you?" Still no
answer, SO he counted for himself and
went away
Lady Jones was delighted, but her
triumph was ofshort duration. The last
arrival came back at once with whole
posse Of French of1ic ais at his back, the
chief Of whom, in voice of authority. re-
peated the inquiry.
Glow many are you? -Four. More
to come? Impossible. The train is
starting. Entrez, Monsieur; entrez,
vite. and the next instant tie stranger
! was bundled into the carriae 9, the door
was shut with bang, the horns sound
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