The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-10
BLOCKING TO FLORIDA.
TOURISTS ON THEIR WAY TO THE
LAND OF FLOWERS.


Looks After It's EXCursionists-Ihe
Novel Situation That Mrs h. r
Bender Holds as a Railroad Chape-
roman Added Charm to Travelling
The second of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company's winter excursions TO Florida
passed through Savannah last night, The
train of six Pullman sleeping cars pulled
into the Savannah, Florida and Western
depot at $50 o'clock, and Immediately the
tourists began a siege on the depot restau
rant. They we're belated and hungry, and
those who were not fortunate enough to get
seats at the fi~st ABLE were disposed TO heap
snathema on the head of Mr.. Draper, the
tourist agent, but he was imPerturbable
and acted with perfect cOmpOsure and dig
nitv. The quieter members OF the eXcur-
sion patiently awaited "A turn at the supper
table
Superintendent Fleming, of the Savan-
nah. Florida and Western, who was present,
assured the excursionistS that the train
would not move away until everybody who
wished supper had gotten It, This was
pacifying The crowd was then easily and
satisfactorily served with supper, and the
train pulled out again at 7:35 o'clock, having
made a stop of one hour here.
THE TRAIN CHAPERoN.
During that hour a MORNING News re
porter had a pleasant chat with Mrs. II. f.
Bender, the lady chaperon of the train
whose Office is one of the most important
features of these tours While Tourist
Agent Draper assumes entire charge of the
train and makes all general arrangements
for the comfort of its occupants, Mrs. Ben
der, on her part, attends particularly TO the
lady passengers, atfording to those who for
1,a t,a,h of hnr
experience as a traveller and her recognized
authority among the officials on the train.
Mrs Bender is a pleasant looking little
body with a sweetly modulated voice, and
seems to be fitted by nature for the peculiar
position she occupies.
''This is a somewhat unique position you
hold in the railway service
WHAT A CHAPERoN DOES
eyes" she replied, "the position is entirely
a new one and it is a hard matter to give
lust vet detailed description of what the
duties really are. Still think can give
you some 'idea of them. These trips as a
general thing begin at night, and that even
ing | go through the train and introduce
myself to the ladies. | tell them
where they cad find me if
/ am wanted, AID explain
that am there to give them all the in
formation in my power. TIL next morning
after they have had good breakfast | visit
them again, aud by ev.Sling ! generally
have them all acquainted. | have gone
over this Florida trip before, and of course
have been able to show my
charges all pOiats of interest along
the route. tell them all that
could be of interest to ladies. l tell them
where Will be good places for them TO shop
in any of the towns we stop at; where they
can see the prettiest views, and specially do
devote myself TO those who have no es-
cort.
TAKING CARE OF THE LADIES.
at frequently happens she continued,
''that young girls are DESTROYS of going on
these trips, and it is not convenient for any
members of their families to go with them
Knowing, however, now that they will be
looked after, their friends can have no Oh
lection to their going. | am really some
what Of a surprise to most of the tourists,
but the ladies all think the plan is an excel
lent one. On one of my last trips the mem-
bers of the party decided to give me an ex-
pensive basket of flo ers. They placed the
money in the hands of an old gentleman
but instead of flowers he bought me some
handsome books, which he thought would
last longer. Don't you think that was nice
of themF
The little lady didn't give the reporter a
cnanCe 10 assent out ratified on:
A DELIGHTFUL TRIP.
This trip has been a particularly de
lightful one, notwithstanding our train is a
little out of time. We are Just like one big
family, and you have no idea what a good
feeling exists between all. The ladies paid
leap year call to the gentlemen in the
smokers this morning and great deal OF
amusement was had. We gave them a
serenade, which the gentlemen were gallant
enough to say they enjoyed. We
have some really fine voices along
and the singing of gleeS and ChUruses has
relieved whatever tedium there has been in
the trip. At the stations along the route
the train is met by crowds Of villagers and
our people lose no time in getting &C
Quainted ana talking with them. The
Eastern people, particularly. are great at
this and they seem to enjoy it very much
"How did you happen to hit upon the
name chaperon 70. your office"
"Wh hen ] first took the position they called
me assistant tourist agent J did not like
the title as ! thought it too masculine, but
that is the way my passes are all made out
They gave me my choice and thought thai
'chaperou' would sound better
Here the lady was informed that every
body had supped but herself and she bad,
the reporter pleasant good-by and entered
the dining room.
THE PEOPLE on BOARD.
Mrs Bender's position is the only one q
the kind in the country, but as the trip
become more and moro popular, no douh
there will be Others. Her ever geniu
presence makes ladies travelling alone per
fectly at home on the train, and leaves NJ
place for the natural timidity which deter
many from entering upon journey unes
corted. She kindly furnished the following
list of names of the eXcurslonists
FROM PHILADELPHIA.
Charles Hartshorne and Miss Stokes.
daughters, The Misses Cope,
Francis Stokes andwife. Miss Garrett.
Robert Porter and wife. AIise-Evans
Harry L. Taggait and Charles A. Nice,
wife, Miss Mary r. Nice,
II. J.. Taggsrt, Miss Minnie Nice.
Miss Bella {. Taggart Miss Nice Nice
Mrs. David Graham, "a. T. Hoyt and family
Mrs. Emma e. Graham, llrs J.. Berg,
D. Minister, ii. VI. Thompson ant
j. f. Roberts. family
James Trimble, wife Mr. Hughes
and daughter
sEANoKIN. PA
James W. kessler, Reuben Hollenbeck.
DowY1NGToN, PA
L. c. Mcfarland, Mr.. Vernon.
wILKEsBARRE, PA.
Mrs. z. s. Loop Mrs. W. D. Cable
sUNBURY, PA.
d. w Duncan
READING, PA.
5. +. Aucona and wife.
PoTTsTow-N. PA
Lyman Beecher, wife. sou and daughter.
FROM NEW YORK.
6. J. Tyler, f. A. Reed and wife
T P. Ramsdell, brooklyn,
S. Kurzman, Albert Brown CSchoha