The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-05-20
abe Snttlltaellrer,
laloo. No.. 10 and n TourIeepIh slreaL,
TRAVELLING IN INDIA,
Hotel and Sleeping Car LiES In Vlctoria'l
EaaleEn Empire,

-T-T-'~ =
Hotel and Sleeping Car LIES in VIotOria'a
, Chicago Nep.
Your train stops at a 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 Q correspondent OF the Buffalo Err.
4 pre'G, and every one must take his bag
gage into the car where he rides and
, look after 1t himself. Perhaps you may
have four parcels; II so, then at least
, eight coolies who have blocked your
door will endeayor to handle II ss it Is
taken out Of the car and put into q
"gharri," or carriage. When you come
10 settle with them at least ten will want
to be paid, and In order TO get away from
the mob (tor they will literally mob you)
you pay three times as much as you
ought and yet feel thankful that 1t 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 bag
gage Is repeated by the coolies, only
their number Is less. In due time your
four bundles are safely deposited in your
room and the coolies have disappeared,
Now comes time for reflection and you
drop into the hrst chair you come TO.
One Of the first objects that attracts your
attention Is the bed. You proceed TO ex-
anime II closely aud take anstnventory,
First there is o 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 quiet tone, Just above a whisper,
he will inform you that servant will be
sent to your room, but you must pay
him. BY this time you are in scondition
70 soy yes" to anything, and you say:
"All right, sond 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 10 have q 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 norsoap furnished. But you may
have had an inkling OF what you might
expect so you open your Vallse and
bring them forth.
II Is the same with your rugs and bed.
ding, and after all Ia brought to light
you motion to the boy to make up your
bed and he does It with alacrity. Your 7
o'clock dinner Is announced and you
proceed to the dining room. After be.
ing shown 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 cannot help II and
you are not TO blame for what you can.
not help. Finally, when you think for.
bearanCe has ceased to be virtue, you
look about the room for the "head mar"
as he Is called in Indian. You beCkon
him TO your side and, in tones Of smoth-
|
want something to eat.
He will pleasantly say to you: 1--WE
have an abundance TO eat, but do not
furnish table walters I will send you
ono II you like, but 1t will be charged in
your BILL"
"All right" you say.
The servant comes to do your bidding,
but cannot understand word you say.
However, the courses are designated by
numerals, !, 2, 8, &C., on the menu card,
so you say bring 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 oC-
Casioned by the opening Of wine. beer
and champagne bottles, which, by the
way, Is quite suggestive To one-tliat Is,
II lie be a Prohibitionist. In this man.
ner you manage to get through with
your several meals, After remaining
twenty.four hours you wish 10 70 to the
next objective 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 s p. M. mail train, which
Is always on time and Is the best train
10 ride on in India.
As the room boy comes in followed by
half q dozen coolies you arc made aware
that the "gharrih Is at the door. Now
each coolie wants job and will come
for his his backsheesh whether he does
anything or not, 80 you lot the bix
coolies carry four pieces Of baggage. You
give the room boy the amount thought
necessary to pay all and shout to the
driver to 90.
The station Is Just reached in time, and
by the help OF the station Waterman and
large number OF coolies you are quick
ly slowed away In the car, room 5 by
Y feet. Your car door Ia beset by coolies
as well as the Waterman, all asking for
backsheesh, and after you have distrib-
uted all your loose change 10 those you
think earned II they still clamor for more.
For the life Of you 1t is impossible To tell
one from the other, for they dress, or
rather undress, alike.
Up To this time no one else has come
into the car, which Is calculated To carry
at least four persons. The train moves
out OF the station and you find yourself
sole occupant. You look for the bell
rope in case Of accident and then for the
short cord on the side OF the car with
which TO set the air brake, and are I'm.
able to find either. Then the car doors
arc locked on both sides and you find
yourself shut in with no visible means
Of escape, and as you have nothing else
10 do you unroll your bundle and make
up your bed or couch. Now, II you do
your duty you will commend your spirit
10 the God who gave II and retire 10
your yirtuous couch, and In the morn
Ing be thankful that your improbable
iifo 40 knnr yraaart,nd Ihro,,oI, iha nt1I,k |