Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-07-15
RIDING ON A PASS.
The Fate of Mr.. Pettigrew, a Timid
"Dead- Head"

Mr.. Adolphus Pettigrew was an ED
crly bachelor of thrifty turn of mind.
He was very comfortably off indeed,
but he never spent shilling when
sixpencc 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 a law-abiding cit
izen.
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 acquaintances was certain Capt
ain Falconer, with whom he had been
for some years on friendly terms. For
long time Mr.. Pettigrew had been
very shy of this gentleman, who was
generally regarded as rather amysteri-
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 " 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
obtaining the wherewithal to meet
pressing obligations. But there was
no proof that Captain Falconer de-
rived any benefit from these acts OF
good nature. He was a jovial, loud
voiced, rollicking, boisterous person,
who was observation-disclosures with
every one, and possessed the happy
knack of being able to accommodate
himself to every kind of society.
MIR. Pettigrew, whose worldly expe.
riencc was strictly limited, had, only
mistrusted the Captain because he
seemed the sort of man who would
borrow twenty pounds without the
slightest conjunction. He never, in,
deed, altogether conquered this mis-,
giving, but in the course of time-as
Captain Falconer made no attempt te
impose upon him-Mr. Pettigrew end
ed by responding readily enough to hi,
friendly advances. The fact was thai
the Captain won his regard by the oc
casional gift of theater ticket, seat
at the opera or card of admission tc
some privileged entertainment 1t wa,
popularity of the Captains that he
was always able to bestow favors O
this kind. Mr.. Pettigrew was by NJ
means recluse, and to 60 anywher,
or see any thing for nothing added
real zest to his enjoyment H,
therefore accepted these little tokens o
friendship from the Captain in CRATE
full and appreciative spirit, the NOR
particularly as he tlattered himself tina
the Captain really had regard TO
him. This idea, whether correct o.
not, was certainly excusable, seein.
that Mr.. Pettigrew had never Offered
to make the slightest return for serv
ices rendered in any shape or form. l
CHANGED at length that Mr.. Pettigrev
had occasion to take journey to tn
west of England, owing to the seriou
illness of rich aunt, from whom h
cherished expectations. He had know
Captain Falconer to procure a free pas
for an acquaintance upon the very lin
that he now wished to travel by, an,
he therefore ventured to ask him to d.
the same thing for him. The Captain
whose good nature seemed incxhausti
BILE, readily acceded to his request, s.
far at least as might lay in his power
He explained that it was not Away
easy to obtain free pass on the line i
question, but promised to use his inhu
encc, and seemed hopeful of the result
He was better than his word, for whe
he met Mr.. Pettigrew by appointment
on the platform of the London termir
us on his departure he pressed into hi
hand pass to Plymouth and back.
My dear Captain Falconer." ex
claimed Mr.. Pettigrew, lingering til
document delightedly, II am really ez
tremely obliged to you"
$50 you ought to be-, said the Car
tain, in bis joyial way; IL had no en-
of trouble to get it, | can tell YOU. PIT
il in your pocket" he added, rathe
mysteriously. 'sTa! tai old fellow. So,
ry can't wait to see You Off"
Mr.. Pettigrew wrung his friend
hand and took quite an affectionai
farewell of him. The pass was real
substantial favor for the first-cla,
fare to Plymouth and back-for M
Pettigrew, like many other mean pee
pie, never stinted himself of luxu,
and comfort at a pinch-amounted
very considerable number of shi
lings. He seated himself with gre
alacrity in vacant first-class compar
ment, called fora foot-warmer, wrappe
himself in his travelling rug, and pr
pared for comfortable journey.
He was beginning to believe
would have the compartment to hin
self, when, at the last moment, a ge
ueman, who had before looked in
the window and passed on, now pr
sented himself again, and took posse
sion of the corner seat by the door. 4
he did so, the ticket collector appeare
and Mr. Pettisrew presented his pa
for inspection.
1t struck Mr.. Pettigrcw that the of
eial scrutinized the pass somewh
suspiciously. and, upon returning
looked at him with searching Crane
1t is probable that the man merely d
sired to assure himself Of the validi
of the document and of the respect
bility of the holder. On beth the
points he was no doubt satisfied, +
he passed on without comment; b
Mr.. Pettigrew was Of nervous al
tidge3 disposition, and he sudden