Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-06-12
TRAVELLING IN INDIA.
Hotel and Railway Life In Vic
toria's Eastern Empire.

Hotel and hallway Life In Vic
toria's Eastern Empire.
Country Where Nothing Is Done for
| Hotel Guests Unless They Are willing
to Pay for " Extras "-Description
OF an Eastern Railway Car.
Your train stops at station where you
wish to spend day and you are about to
step from the Car when from three to ak
coolies block the door, all wishing to grab
some parcel from the car. They have no
oaggage-car In India, says 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 a ''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 ONCE and shown to your room, when
the same rush for your baggage is repeated
by the coolies, only their number is less. In
due time your four bundles are safely de-
posted in your room and the coolies have
disappeared. Now comes time for reflec-
tion 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-
ceed to examine it closely and take an in
ventory. First there is hard mattress;
second, one sheet; and these comprise the
whole thing. You put in an appearance at
the Off1ca and m n i,-ia -
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 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 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 it Is of no earthly use If YOU
chance to have little smattering of French
or German you try them in succession, also
70 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 1T with alacrity. Your seven-o'clock
dinner is announced and you proceed to the
olnlng-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.
Waters are passing and repassing on your
right apd 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 helm
Finally when you think forbearance has
ceased to be a 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: eve have
an abundance to eat but do not furnish
table-waiters; l will send you one if you
IKE, but 1t 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, q, 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
near 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
Tour hours you wish to go to the next OBJ
1ective 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 D. m.
mail train, which is always on time and is
the best train to ride on in-lndia
AS the room-boy comes in followed by
nalf dozen coolies you are made aware
that the "gharri' is al the door, Now each
coolie wants a 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 watchman and a
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 watchman, all asking
Tor backsheesh, and, after distributing all
your loose change to those you think earned
it, they still clamor 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 into
the car, which Is calculated to carry at
least four persons. The train moves out of
the station, and you find yourself the 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 unable to find either.
Then the car doors are locked on both sides.
and you find yourself shut in with no Wis
ible means Of escape, and, as you have
nothing else to do, you unron your bundle
and make up your bed or couch. Now, if
you do your duty you will commend your
spirit to the God who gave it and retire to
your virtuous couch, and in the morning be
thankful that your Improbable life has been
preserved through the night.