The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1889-03-23
Wrtnen for The ArkGnsap Traveller.
SLEEPING PAST THE STATION.
1T pRoF. J. Z. sTEILE.

We were gathered round the waiting room
stove, Willing away the time best we could, for
the train had been reported two hours late. A lit
tie group of railroad conductors were there and
very naturally they talked among themselves
the incidents of past experience In their calling.
"Yes," said Jones' ait gets fellow down terri
bly, to find that he has slept past the station at
which he desired to get of. Sometimes it's highly
amusing to see them, and sometimes it's not so
much 80 especially, IL they of belligercnt
turn of temperament, and get 1t into their heads
that the conductor Is in way to blame for the
accident. Then, there cases in which 1t Is both
amusing and not amusing, at the same time. had
a case Of that particular kind not long ago. A
lady who came through by an L. Il y. night train
from New Orleans and was going further north,
made herself conspicuous at every stop by calling
out to know If this was Brewton She said she
in mortal dread of sleeping past the station.
told her to make herself entirely easy on that point
as in case she should be asleep when Brewton was
reached, would have her reused all in good time
"The lady composed herself to sleep, and l heard
nothing further from her; indeed, forgot all
about her until the train was some two miles past
Brewton, when, coming into the car to collect fare
from some new passengers who had got on there to
my great modification saw her still aboard and
fast asleep. Ii seemed to that there was but one
course for me to pursue, l jerked the bell-rope
and backed up to Brewton.
"'Brewton, madam said l. gently touching her
on the shoulder and looking as unconcerned as If
nothing had happened.
"'Brewton,' she called out, rousing herself and
rubbing open her eyes. Are you right sure it's
Brewtonr
"'Oh, yes; right sure.'
THANK YOU she said setting back in the seat
and beginning to tumble at her satchel.
"'But are you not going to get OFF,
"'Not q bit of 1t! What do you take me for?'
"'You told me to wake you at Brewtonp
81 know 1t, but didn't say wanted to get off
there When started from New Orleans my hus-
band, who is q railroad man, looked at his watch
and at his train schedule, and said to me- said he
Cynthia, the time for taking your third pill will
be when the train is at Brewton"-I have taken
two pills.
1.-The bell-rope was jerked and l heard no more"
"Some years ago." said Wilson, "the NJ. & o.
was running fast night train between Mobile and
Meridian-we called 1t the 'bobtail train 1t went
to Meridian waited one hour and then started on
its return run. One night when was in charge
gentleman went up from Mobile to Meridian on
urgent business, expecting to return by the same
train just before reaching Meridian / noticed
him ast asleep on the seat but thought nothing In
particular about 1t. When we started on the
return saw he was aboard and already asleep.
Knowing that he had come up on a round trip
ticket, did not disturb him in my round taking
up fare After awhile he stopped me as / was
passing through the coach and asked how far 1t was
to Meridian. l told him about fifteen miles. He
leaned down for another nap. Later he again
stopped me and once more asked how far 1t was to
Meridian. l told him it was about thirty i've
miles. Why said he, some time ago you told me
1t was only fifteen miesp True, said i, sbut, as
you say, that was some time ago, and we have been
running like the mischief every minuta since than