Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-12-07

BY CONSTANCE HOWARD.

WIlCO do SOOll eto CNot you 2cL luere
don't half like the idea of your going
alone. shall have the horrors until
hear that you have not been kid
mapped or murdered"
My friend Rugged and kissed me, and
finally let me 90 with great unwilling
ness.
had been spending few days with
an old schoolmate in the pretty little
town of G., on my way from Mich.
igan to California. Her husband had
been called away in the morning on
urgent business. The latest baby was
screaming with cramps or some infan-
tile ailment, and there was no one to
90 with Ire to the depot, or give me
what she considered proper send off.
returned her kisses and good Dyes,
not at all put out; being a rather in
dependent young lady, IN the first
place, and having very little need for
an escort, anyway. | had purchased
a through ticket, and my trunk was
checked to my destination, as | had
not considered 1t necessary to have it
with me on so short a visit.
NV friend lived on a branch road,
and had several hours ride before i
reached the city where | would meet
the Overland.
/ arrived at the little station just
as the train came in. / was greatly
surprised at the approach OF the sta
ton agent, who stood on the plat
form outside.
"Hello here's my little deaf and
dumb beauty" he exclaimed, and
put out his hand in q respectfully
friendly manner.
He seemed to be addressing two
men who stood near; one a rather
tall, good-looking man, with q buster
ing voice, and the other a small, sly,
mean-looking fellow.
''She goes down on pass every few
months" the agent added.
Amusement held me quiet at first.
AS the case of mistaken identity came
to me more clearly, my fun-loving dis
position came to my aid, and l de-
termined to carry on the farce for
the amusement there might be in it.
So smiled and bowed in a cordial
way.
He accompanied me to the car, and
waving aside the brakeman, who
stood ready to help me in, assisted
me uD the steps himself as If my sup
posed infirmity had taken away my
powers OF locomOtioH.
The two men who were standing on
the platform followed.
Here's nice little deaf mute, Char
Iie," he said to the conductor, as he
turr ed over seat and piled my few
packages in it. al don't believe she's
been down since you've had the run.
She's got on some new toys to-day,
and looks uncommonly pretty, but
don't you be making love to her," and
he laughed at his own wit. "She's got
a little tablet IN her hand bag that she
writes on"
| was inwardly thankful for this
hint, and glad that | had my tablet
on which | had taken notes Of my
Journey, to fill out into lettea to the
friends at home.
! kept my eyes discreetly lowered,
fearing that should not be able tC
keep my countenanCe and carry on the
comedy, and took nay seat on the
shady side near the centre of the car.
The two men were sitting behind
me. Arranging myself comfortably,
took a survey of the occupants of the
car. One side, where the sun beat
hotly in, was entirely deserted, and
the few persons in front OF me were ex-
tremely uninterestlng.
One poor woman was being pulled
and hauled, and otherwise maltreated
oy her half-dozen children. The older
ones quarreled and fought and made
themselves generally dlsagreeable,
while the baby yelled till | almost
wished my fictitious deafness had been
real. To my great Joy, the incompe-
tent mother removed herself and her
dreadful children from the car few
stations ahead.
The conductor came in frequently
and we carried on a written conversa-
ton, which was as remarkable for It's
penmanshlp, as for the astonishing
stories | was Obliged to invent, to
keep up my character as deaf mute.
The lew passengers dropped off one
bv one. The day was hot, and the
country through which we were pass
ing uninteresting.
Twas sinking into a dose, when SUD
denly / became wide-awake At the
sound OF terrible oath behind me.
Iraised nv head. The seats behind
me were empty. Feeling thirsty,
went to the end of the car after q
drink OF water. Then | saw there was
SO one in the car but myself and the
two men who had come on board with
me.
An uneanny feeling crept over me.
Then | reflected that no harm would
come to ME, probably, in broad day
light, with conductor and brakeman
passing through the car constantly,
nnd on road where there were liable
to be any number OF passengers at
the fest station.
took my seat again, and opened a
box OF candies with which / had pro-
yided myself, when was again start
2ed by the loud tones behind me.
81 tell you won't have so many In
It. The more there is in job the
iikelier it is to be found out; and the
more there ls to be grabbin' FOR the
swag. The fewer the better, | say,
whether you're goin' to do one man
or railroad train"
"Well. don't yellso," demonstrated
the other.
whats the difference? Who's
goin' to hear?" the first speaker went
on, in the same loud tone and with
abundant oaths. al get enough OF