Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-11-25
TWO BOHEMIANs FROM WISCONSIN
Take a Trip to Kansas.

i
ing, November 4, we packed our little
grips, babe adieu to Platteville, the
Normal city, and boarded the c., M. q
st. Paul Railroad train for the West.
so early was it when we left that few
OF the citizens were up. Indeed, it was
part OF our plan to get away quietly
and early, lest some of our old-time
friends, the members of the Slippery
Elm Club. should take it into their
heads to demand satisfaction of us at
the last moment. However, it was not
part OF our plan to furnish material
Tor an impromptu funeral and SO shortly
after the sun had cast its glorious rays
over the quiet and tranquil city, we
were going bumpty-bump on Tom
Leahy's train on the way to Kansas,
the Jayhawker State.
! AT Calamine we left Tom and took a
train for GAINESVILLE. The conductor
and brakesman on this run were logged
out in such nobby style of clothing
that we made inquiry of them as to
what it meant, and were informed that
the company had recently ordered all
of Its conductors and brakesmen on
passenger trains to appear thusly when
on duty. The suits are simply immense
and the brakeman chuckled when he
told how their company had ''downed"
the Northwestern on this score. The
company furnishes the first suits free to
their men. After that the men must
look out for themselves. Tho idea of
uniforming railroad men is an old one,
but it is capital one. 1t makes them
conspicuous and people can see at once
to whom to go when they need in
formation in relation to their journey.
OF course it makes the men proud, but
then little variety on their part is par
donable when it is considered how great
are the responsibilities under which
they labor. 1t will not be long before
all railroad men will be compelled to
wear the regulation cut. and we can
well imagine how Railroad Smith and
Shelled Corn Patterson will strut when
they make their first appearance in
blue and brass.
But enough of uniforms, etc. Time
flies on and so does our train. Darling
ton is left behind and we are whizzing
down the beautiful valley of the Peca-
tonica. A vIvacious young lady in
seat just behind the "bohemians,n is
admiring its picturesqueness She
wonders if it is not at its best now. 1t
certainly is, for the leaves on the trees
are fading. Here you see spot of
one color, over there one of another
and so on, and the whole forming
scene which would battle the skill of
the greatest artist faithfully to repre-
sent. But why look out all of the time
when there is so much worthy of notice
inside the car? Here it is that one sees
all phases of character, almost as it
were in nutshell. just in front is a
young man evidently in the last stage
of consumption. He has been on a
visit to relatives and is on his way
home. Poor fellow, it is about his last
ride Only few years ago he was
strong and filled with courage. Such
sad changes does time make. On the
other side and few seats ahead are
two fairly dressed men. They look
''cheeky" and are in the midst of a
spirited conversation. Politics is their
theme. They are local politicians and
from the manner i'll which they are de-
livering sledge-hammer arguments one
would suppose they held the life of the
nation in their vest pockets. They talk
about the vast sum of money that was
spent in their towns at the last election.
They each denounce the practice, that
is. when the fellows on the other side
indulge in it. One says that men sold
their votes in some places for fifty cents
apiece. / wonder what our illustrious
old Revolutionary forefathers would
have thought if they had been told that
one day American citizens could be
found ready and willing to sell their
votes for half dollar. The old gentle
men would probably have forgotten
themselves as Washington did at Mon
mouth. But why depart from the issue?
Close behind the patriots are two young
damsels evidently of the bon ton set.
They ARE going back East after spend
ing some time IN the Badger State.
The most remarkable thing about them
is their fluent use of slang. Their volu-
bilitY is phenomenal. The way they
''catch on TO everything they see is
only equaled by their ability to ''size
up everything. In another part of
the car is seated venerable looking
OLD gentleman. The frosts of many
winters have whitened his locks, yet he
moves with a sprightly step aid his
countenance is still illuminated with the
vigor of energetic manhood When he
left the tram we were told he was for
many years the circuit judge in a DIS
trict in this state, and that he was one
of the very best judges whom the state
ever had. Everybody in the car cannot
be described, it would take too much
time and space. Suffice it to say that
there are people abroad of various
styles, from the voluptuous dame with
the naughty look and gold spectacles
to the quiet and retiring Sister of
Charity, from the corpulent, good
natured drummer to the wry-faced
deacon.
AT Beloit the ''bohemians'' lay over
an hour or so, and besides taking in a
square old-fashioned meal, took in as
much of the town as possible. Beloit
is beautiful little city with good build
ings, walks, water-works and all the
modern Improvements. The college is
one of the chief attractions. The new
president, DR.. Eaton, IS to be formally
installed this evening and great prep
arations are being made for the great
event.
Taking the first through train for
Rock Island we cross the state limo and