Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-10-09

Your train stops at station where you
wish to spend a day and you are about to
step from the car when from three to six
coolies block the door, all wishing to grab
some parcel from the car. They have no
baggage-car In India, says a correspondent
OF the Buffalo Express, and every one must
take his baggage into the car where he rides
and look after it himself. Perhaps you may
have four parcels; if so, then at least eight
coolies, who have blocked your door, will en-
deavor to handle it as it is taken out of
the car and put into 'gharri,' or carriage.
When you come to settle with them at least
ten will want TO be paid, and in order to get
away from the mob (for they will literally
mob YOU you pay three times as much as
you ought, and yet feel thankful that it is as
well with you as it is.
On arriving at your hotel you are booked
at the Office and shown to your room, when
the same rush for your baggage is repeated
by the coolies, only their number is less. III
due time your four bundles are safely de-
posted In your room and the coolies have
disappeared Now comes time for reflec-
ton and you drop into the first chair you
come to. One Of the first objects that at
tracts your attention is the bed. You pro-
coed TO examine 1t closely and take an in
ventory. First there is a hard mattress;
second, one sheet; and these comprise the
whole thing. You put in an appearance at
the Office and make inquiries as TO bedding
and room-boy. You are told by the clerk
with one Of his most bland expressions that
this hotel does not furnish bedding nor
servants to look after your room; but in q
quiet tone, just above q whisper, he will in
form you that a servant will be sent to your
room, but you must pay him. By this time
you are in a condition to say "yes" to any
thing, and you say: GAN right, send him
on"
The boy puts in an appearance and you
try to make him understand your mother
tongue; but 1t Is of no earthly use. II you
chance to have a little smattering of French
or German you try them in succession, also
to no use. Then by motions and gestures
you make him understand that you wish to
wash. Water is brought, but you have
neither towel nor soap furnished. But you
may have had an inkling of what you might
expect, so you open your valise and bring
them forth.
1t is the same with your rugs and bed
ding, and after all are brought to light you
motion to the boy to make up your bed and
he does it with alacrity. Your seven-o'clock
dinner is announced and you proceed to the
dining-room. After being shown a seat
you naturally look around for something to
eat, or perhaps more particularly for some
one to wait upon you; but no one comes.
Walters are passing and repassing on your
right and left and there you sit with 'cuss-
words" running through your mind swift
and fast. You can not help it and you are
not to blame for what you can not help
Finally when you think forbearance has
ceased to be virtue, you look about the
room for the head man." as he is called in
India, You beckon him to your side and,
in tones Of smothered indignation, say to
him that you want something to eat
He will pleasantly say to you: ave have
an abundance to eat but do not furnish
table-waiters; / will send you one if you
like, but it will be charged in your bill"
The servant comes to do your bidding, but
can not understand word you say. How
ever the courses are designated by numerals,
l, 2, 8, etc, on the menu cards, so you say
bring this or that number. You ask for tea
or coffee and are informed that neither is
furnished at dinner. At the same time you
hear the report occasioned by the opening OF
wine, beer and champagne bottles, which,
by the way, is quite suggestive to one-that
is, IL he be prohibitionist. In this manner
you manage to get through with your
several meals. After remaining twenty
four hours you wish to go to the next Oh
| jective point or city, and in order TO make
the most time you ride at night. You order
your bill sent to your room, and at the same
time you order your 'gharri' to take you
to the station in time for the eight y. m,
mail train, which is always on time and is
| the best train to ride on in India.
! As the room,hoy comes in followed by
| half a dozen coolies you are made aware
| that the sgharri" is at the door Now each
coolie wants job and will come for his
backsheesh whether he does any thing or
| not. so YOU let the six coolies carry four
pieces of baggage. You give the room
boy the amount thought necessary to pay
| all and shout to the driver to go.
The station is just reached in time, and
by the help of the station Waterman and q
large number OF coolies you are quickly
slowed away in the car, room eight by
| twelve feet, Your car door is beset by
| coolies as well as the Waterman, all asking
for backsheesh, and, after distributing al
your loose change to those you think earned
it, they still ciamoF for more. For the life
of you it is impossible to tell one from the
other, for they dress, or, rather, undress
alike.
Up to this time no one else has come init
| the caE, which is calculated to carry a
| least four persons. The train moves out o.
JIG etdIAoui anu JOU A1u 1Sut sSt} VIC SVA'
occupant. You look for the bell rope IL
case of accident, and then for the short core
on the side of the car with which to set the
air-brake, and are unable TO find either
Then the car doors are locked on both sides
and you find yourself shut in with no Vis
IDLE means OF escape, and, Is you haV'
nothing else 70 do, you unron your bundle
and make up your bed or couch. Now, 1
yop do your duty you viii commend you
spirit 70 the God who gave 1t and retire u
your virtuouS couch, and in the morning b
thankful that your Improbable life has beel
preserved through the night. -sva.
Tender as to His Ago.