The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-11-13
A TRAIN EPISODE.
Leaves from tho Notebook OF a
Commercial Traveller.
A Poor Dakota Farmers Adventures on q
Railroad Train--The Drummer at HIS
, Best-Recoyery Of n Lost
fb. Mileage Ticket.

/ had been engaged by the house as stock
clerk only a few weeks, writes corre-
spondent Of the American Commercial
Traveller, when one day the head Of the
firm came to me and said: swell, Mr..
Blank, how would you like TO 20 out on the
roadi" "Firstrate,n said /. II have not
along; any way, should like to try IT," 30
II was agreed that should make my first
trip the next week. Howl looked forward
TO that day when should pick up my
"grip" and launch out into the world full
fledged traveling-man. My headquarters
were at st. Paul, and for that town put
out Just as the sun was sinking one bright
day in the month Of July. A large number
Of my newly joined brothers were on board
the train, laughing and joking, as after
ward found out, as only traveling-men can.
1t was Just dark when the train stopped at
q little depot some eighty miles from the
place where I started. A number of
passengers got on and OF. Among the IN
comers was an old man carrying an
old-fashioned carpet-bag in one hand
and round parcel In the other. He
seated himself just opposite to where was
sitting, and gazed around with q abewIldered
look. 1t was quite evident that he was not
accustomed to this mode Of travel. Pres
emily the conductors voice is heard In
"Tickets, please; get your tickets ready"
The old gentleman starts, blank look
comes in his face, his trembling hand is
thrust first into one pocket, then another.
The carpet-bag is opened and searched thor
oughly. The little round package is opened,
but reveals nothing but adry loaf Of Vienna
bread. Pockets are searched again, bat to
no avail; he has lost his ticket. The con-
ductor passes on, promising 10 come around
again. A travelling man steps up to the
now PROSTATE form, and, patting him on
the back, asks his story. The perspiration
stood on the old mans brow, his eyes were
wet with tears, and amid sobs he told his
story. He was Dakota farmer; his par
ents had both died one week ago that day.
he was telegraphed TO come, but could
not raise money enough to pay car
tare-a distance OF about 1000
miles, including return. A travelling sales.
man who knew him 10 be poor but honest
| man had said to him: "Here, take my mile
age book; go and bury your father and
Mother, and when you return give me back
the book and pay me for what you use
whenever you can" Thus 1t was that the
old man was enabled to see his father and
mother before they were laid away. This,
which was 1000 mile book, was the one he
lost. He had sixty cents In his pocket, q
loaf Of dry Vienna bread by his side, wife
and SIX children at home, 600 miles away,
and no ticket. This was the story which
touched the heart OF the travelling man,
an subscribe five dollars, boys" said the
newly-made brother $50 will l." said an
other, and In five minutes thirty-four dol
lars, taken from the pockets Of travelling
statesmen, was han ded TO. the old mar
to pay his fare and keep what was over
he could not thank his rescuers-his hear
was too full; great tears rolled down his
check and his head was hung with thu
thought that he was now dependent upoT
charity. The conductor returned for hi
fare, and humbly the poor old man wa!
rendering him the money when his eyes fel
on something on the floor. 1t was the mile
age book. with yell he bounded down OF
1t. "Thank God, / am saved from charity
Sir, oh sir, here is your money. l have
found my ticket" and the glistening eyes
shone like fire. He could not be prevailed
upon TO take the money nor could he pour
blessings enough upon the heads Of his
newly-found friends.
The money was finally handed back 10 the
contributors and the last we saw Of the ole
gentleman from Dakota he was sitting IL
the smoking-car, happy as king, Willing
away the hours with loaf Of dry Viennl
| bread