Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-02-17
Mrs. McNaught's Family.
THE CHIEF ATTORNEY OF THE NORTHERN
PACIFIC IN FIX.
Seattle Timesl

IAClT1C IN N 1AAs
Seattle Times
Joe. Mcknight on Saturday even
ing told us good joke on his brother
"Jim," who now occupies the respon-
siblc position of Chief Counsel for the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company
and is stationed at St. Paul. As the
story was told in "Jim's" presence
without q denial being entered, it may
be taken as truth.
Mr.. Mcknight came over to Olym-
pia from st. Paul in response to a
telegram from John H. Mitchell, Jr.,
to appear before the Supreme Court
in a case in which the Northern Pa
cific was interested. He came over
the line in private car of President
Harris, accompanied by Mrs. Nc
Naught and Fred Dudley, his private
Secretary. They started on short
notice and came away in a hurry.
Somewhere in the blizzard-swept
region OF Dakota the car was visited
by the conductor of the train, who
called for the tickets of the party.
Mr.. Dudley exhibited his pass, which
was examined, registered and returned
to him. The polite conductor then
turned to Attorney Mcknight with:
Your ticket, SIR"
Certainly" said Jim, who began
to examine his pockets for the indis-
pensable piece of cardboard.
Not pass, old, or new, could he
find.
IL must have left it at the Office"
said the counselor" my pass / mean,
but it's all right anyhow. My name
is Mcknight, am Chief Attorney of
this road, reside in St. Paul and am
on my way to Puget Sound on the
company's business. It's all right,
assure YOU"
The conductor still affable, replied: !:
IL have no doubt your statements
are strictly true, sir, but really l must
see your pass, or shall be obliged to
collect fare to the end of my division.
We are allowed no option, it is pass
or pay, you see."
Here was dilemma. They were
away out in the wilderness and no
word could he gotten TO or from head
quarters. The conductor grew i'm
patent. Finally in dispair, the dis
comftted attorney appealed-as a
man in trouble ought always to do
to his wife:
my DEAR" said he appealingly,
you certainly have pass, havn't your
I'm sure I procured one for you and
the children sometime ago."
"Oh yes, James," replied she, "but
I don't know as l brought it along.
l came as your guest" added she
with aspice of mischief, "and didn't
expect to look out for any transporta-
ton or expenses. However I'll look
and see II have it."
Search was made, and after pro-
longed investigation into bags, reti-
cules, ETC., Mrs. McNaught tri-
umphantly drew forth q card bearing
the magnetic words: "Pass Mrs.
Mrs. James McNaught and family
over all lines Of the Northern Pacific"
But" said the conductor, this is
pass for Mrs. McNaught. Where is
that for the other gentleman?"
"Don't you see," said the lady," this
passes me and my family and then,
pointing to the crestfallen Chief At
torney of the Northern Pacific, added
taiumphantly, "there is my family"
That's the way Jim" managed to
get over TO Puget Sound without pay
ing fare. And Joe" says that" Jim"
has since registered solemn promise
that if the rest of the family" will
not insist on having a guardian ap-
pointed to travel with him, Mrs. Nc
Naught shall be his companion every
time he makes trip over the lines of
the Northern Pacific. ---