Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-11-06
A TRAIN EPISODE.
Leaves from the Notebook OF q
Commercial Traveller.
A Poor Dakota farmers Adventures ON q
Railroad Train-Tho Drummer 0t His
Best-Recovery OF Lost
Mileage Ticket

had been engaged by the house IS stock
clerk only few weeks, writes q CORE
spondent Of the American Commercial
Traveller. when one day the head Of the
firm came to me and said: "Well, Mr..
Blank. how would you like to 60 out on the
roadF' "First-rate," said /. 81 have not
had any experience, but think I can get
along; any way, should like to try It." So
It was agreed that should make my first
trip the nexs week How looked forward
TO that day when should pick up my
grip and launch out into the world full
6edRed traveling-man. Ny headquarters
out Just as the sun was sinking one bright
of my newly joined brothers were on board
the train, laughing and joking, as after
ward found out, as only traveling-men can.
It was just dark when the train stopped at
little depot some eighty miles from the
place where / started A number OF
passengers got on and OF. Among the IN
corners was an old man carrying an
old-fashioned carpetbag in one hand
and a round parcel in the other. He
seated himself just opposite to where was
sitting, and gazed around with bewlldered
look. It 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, q blank look
comes in his face, his trembling hand is
thrust first into one pocket, then another.
The carpet-ba9 is opened and searched thor
oughly. The little round package is opened,
but reveals nothing but dry loaf Of Vienna
bread. Pockets are searched again, but to
no avail; he has lost his ticket. The con-
ductor passes on, promising to come around
again. A travelling man steps up to the
now prostrate 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 be 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
fare-a distance of about 1900
miles, including return. A travelling sales
man who knew him to 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 it was that the
old man was enabled to see his father and
mother before they were laid away. This,
which was 2, 600 mile book, was the one he
lost He had sixty cents in his pocket, a
loaf of dry Vienna bread by his side, a wife
and SIX children at home, 600 miles away,
and no ticket This was the story which
touched the heart of the travelling man.
'I'll subscribe five dollars, boys" said the
newly-made brother. $50 will l." said an.
other, and in five minutes thirty-fo four dol.
lars, taken from the pockets of travelling
statesmen, was han nded to the old man
to pay his fare and keep what was over.
He could not thank his rescuers-his heart
was too full; great tears rolled down his
cheek and his head was hung with the
thought that he was now dependent upon
charity. The conductor returned for his
fare, and humbIy the poor old man was
rendering him the money when his eyes fell
on something on the floor. 1t was the mile
age book. With yell he bounded down or
1t. ''Thauk God, am saved from charity
Sir, oh sir, here is your money. 1 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 to the
| contributors and the last we saw of the ole
| gentleman from Dakota he was sitting ir
the smoking-car, happy as a king, Willing
away the hours with loaf of dry Vienns
| bread.