The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-06-04
RIDING ON A PASS.
The Fate of Mr.. Pettigrew, a Timid
"Dead-Head."


erly bachelor OF thrifty turn of mind
lie was very comfortably off indeed,
but he never spent shilling when e
sixpence would do, and he acted on
the principle that charity, in pecuni-
airy sense, begins and ends-at home.
But his meanness was not conspicuous,
for he was always affable and obliging
when it cost him nothing, and he lived
SO quietly that he was not suspected of
being rich. He was a timid, fussy lit
tie man, who was extremely correct in
his notions, and prided himself above
every thing on being law-abiding cit
izcn.
Mr. Pettigrew passed the greater
part of his time at the club, whereby
he had the satisfaction OF feeling that
he obtained full value for the amount
of his annual subscription. Among
his acquaintance was a certain Capt
ain Falconer, with whom he had been
for some years on friendly terms. For
a long time Mr. Pettigrew had been
very shy of this gentleman, who was
generally regarded as rather mysteri-
GUS parsonage. Nobody knew how he
contrived on his half pay to array him.
self in the height Of fashion, to live in
sumptuous style, and to keep up the
appearance of man of means 1t W as
rumored that the Captain obtained a
handsome commission on the business
he introduced to a well-known West
End money lender, and it is certain
that he could always be relied upon to
put young scapegraces in the way of
pressing obligations. But there was
no proof that Captain Falconer de-
rived any benefit from these acts OF
good nature. He was a joyial, loud
voiced, rollicking, boisterous person,
who was hail-fellow-well-met with
every one, and possessed the happy
knack of being able to accommodate
himself to every kind of society.
Mr.. Pettigrew, whose worldly expo
rience was strictly limited, had only
mistrusted the Captain because he
seemed the sort of a man who would
borrow twenty pounds without the
slightest conjunction. lie never, in
deed, altogether conquered this mis-
giving, but in the course of time-as
Captain Falconer made no attempt to
impose upon him-Mr. Pettigrew end
ed by responding readily enough to his
friendly advances. The fact was that
the Captain won his regard by the oc-
casional gift of theater ticket, seat
at the opera or a card of admission to
some privileged entertainment. 1t was
~ popularity of the Captains that he
was always able to bestow favors of
this kind. Mr.. Pettigrew was by no
means recluse, and to 90 anywhere
or see any thing for nothing added
real zest to his enjoyment. He
therefore accepted these little tokens OF
friendship from the Captain in q CRATE
full and appreciative spirit, the more
particularly as he flattered himself that
the Captain really had regard for
him. This idea, whether correct or
not was certainly excusable, seeing
that Mr.. Pettigrew had never offered
to make the slightest return for serv-
ices rendered in any shape or form. 1t
CHANGED at length that Mr.. Pettigrew
had occasion to take journey to the
west OF England, owing to the serious
illness of rich aunt, from whom he
cherished expectations. He had known
Captain FalcOner to procure free pass
for an acquaintance upon the very line
that he now wished to travel by, and
he therefore ventured to ask HIM to do
the same thing for him. The Captain,
whose good nature seemed ineXhausti-
bic, readily acceded to his request, so
far at least as might lay in his power.
He explained that it was not ALWAYS
easy to obtain free pass on the line in
question, but promised to use his influ-
cnce, and seemed hopeful of the result.
He was better than his word, for when
he met Mr.. Pettigrew by appointment
on the platform of the London termin-
lis on his departure he pressed into his
hand pass to Plymouth and back.
My dear Captain Ejlconer," ex-
claimed MIR. Pettigrew, lingering the
document delightedly, Il am really ex-
tremely obliged to you"
so you ought to be" said the Cap
tain, in his jovial way; 81 had no end
of trouble to get it, can tell you. Put
1t in your pocket he added rather
mysteriouSly, TIA! ia! old fellow. Sor-
ry | can't wait to see you off.
Mr.. Pettigrew wrung his friend
hand and took quite an afectionate
farewell of him. The pass was really
substantial favor, for the tirst-class
fare to Plymouth and back-for Mr..
Pettigrew, like many other mean peo-
pie, never stinted himself of luxury
and comfort at u pinch-amounted to
a very considerable number of shil-
lings. He seated himself with great
alacrity i'll vacant first-class compart-
ment, called forafoot-warmer, wrapped
himself in his travelling RUG, and pre-
pared for comfortable journey.
lie was beginning to believe he
would have the compartment to him
self, when, at the last moment. a gen.
tleman, who had before looked in at
the window and passed on, now pre-
scented himself again, and took posses
sion of the corner seat by the door. AS
he did so, the ticket collector appeared
and Mr. Pettigrew presented his pass
for inspection.
1t struck Mr.. Pettigrcw that the Off
cial scrutinized the pass somewhat
suspiciously and, upon returning it,
looked al him with searching glance.
1T is probable that the man merely de-
sired to assure himself of the VALIDITY
OF the document and of the respecta-
bility of the holder. On both these
points he was no doubt satisfied, for
he passed on without comment; but
Mr.. Pettigrew was of nervous and
tidgety disposition, and he suddenly
recalled to mind his friends somewhat
pressing injunction to him on the
platform to put the pass in his mock.
ct. Without suspecting any thing
wrong, but with vague misgivings, he
now looked at the pass himself for the
first time. 1t was apparently perfectly
regular, but he perceived with measi.
ness chat it was made out in favor of q
MIR. Moss Levi. The letter-press stated
that the reason of the pass being
granted should be mentioned in the
space indicated for the purpose, and
this was filled in by the word ''ship-
ping"
Mr.. Pettigrew did not at all like the