Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-03
SCHEME OF A STRANDED ACTOR.
From Omaha to New York Without
Paying q Cent for Railroad Fare.


ERODE first class from Omaha to New York
without pass and without paying dollar for
railway fare" This statement was made the
other afternoon by well-known actor who with
a number of other players sat IN a cool resort
just off the 'Rialto." They were telling each
other wonderful stories of their early profes.
sional lives when all were members of minor
companies played leading parts and consid-
cred themselves great Every one of them had
been stranded at some time or other. and each
had known what it meant to be busted and
long way from home" Several stories had
been told of how the narrators accomplished
their return to New York after their companies
had been disbanded in some far western city,
leaving them penniess and frlendless. Nat
urally they were curious to know how their
friend who made the statement that he had
travelled free from Omaha to New York sue
ceeded in doing so, and he told them how.
1T was sixteen years ago. he said, that
was with n company that stranded in
Omaha. None of us had any money, and we all
were anxious TO get back to New York where
only was there hope of getting another engage
ment. Those who had friends in the east sent
for and secured remttances by telegraph.
while others. who had none. borrowed If they
could. or pawned their yaluables for enough to
take them through. | made up my mind that
would get along without borrowing or asking
for help from home. 1t took me a couple of
days to perfect a scheme for travelling TO New
York, and on the day determined to put il in
operation l had only - 10 nv name
Il decided 10 board the night express for
the east and try the scheme had studied out
1t cost me fifty cents to cross the United States
transfer bridge over the Missouri river to
Council Bluffs. 1t was dusk when | boarded
Rock Island train for the east. l had with me
only valise, having left my trunks TO be for
Warded by express. Going into the last of the
coaches | proceeded to make myself comfort
able. Putting on a soft travelling hat placed
III the band what appeared to be a long distance
ticket made of an old calendar and so folded as
TO resemble the sectional tickets used then as
now. There were several other passengers in
the car. and scraped an acquaintance with
three or four OF them long before the train
started, beng careful that they should notice
the ticket i'll my hat. Nlth an old gentleman
who occupied the seat in front of me / became
extremely friendly, and as he was near-sighted
L showed hun the folded ticket in my hat and
commented on the cumbersomeness of long
distance tickets IN general Just before tho
train started l opened the window laid my
mead upon my arms, which were folded ON the
window sill, and waited for the conductor,
meanwhile feiGning sleep. Ny left arm held
the hat upon my head III such a way that
forward motion OF the arm would cause it to
fall off,
iHO IidlH WIS running last ana the night
was dark when the cry of tickets announced
the coming of the conductor. / trembled as
the critical moment approached. for the fall
uro OF the scheme meant serious consequences
to me. However, l steadied myself. and when
the conductor reached my seat l was APP
parently sound asleep. L did not hear his en-
phatic call of 'tcketsr nor feel him gently
touch my shoulder. Then he shook me little.
and still did not move. Becoming impatient
he gave me quite an energetic shake where
upon started up. threw my left arm forward
and. just as had calculated out of the window
new my hat rubbed my eyes sieepily, as if
did not know wha. had happened. and then be-
gan fumbhng IN my pockets TOR my ticket.
Suddenly l appeared to realize that my hat
was gone.
Where's my hat?' cried; my ticket to
New York is in my hat
Your hat fell out of the window said the
conductor. but didn't see any ticket IN the
band. hurry up and search your pockets
~ know 1t was IN my hat declared, and
then began to scOlG because he had shaken me
so hard as to throw my hat out of the window
At THIS point the passengers noticed what WAS
gong on and the old gentleman in front kindly
came to my assistance. He had seen the ticket
IN my hat and knew it was a long-distance
ticket from the way il was folded. Three other
passengers had noticed my ticket and were
KIND enough 10 tell the conductor so. l con-
tnued to scold and to bemoan the loss of nv
hat and ticket. The conductor didn't feel
quite sure yet that l was honest, and tried to
blum me by threatening TO put me off the train
II tailed 10 produce ticket pay my fare.
You dare to try it, said /, and you'll
deeply regret it. can prove by the agent at
Omaha that bought the ticket. and when |
get to Chicago intend to report this affair and
demand n ticket to New York. Perhaps your
rudeness III shaking ME so hard may get you
into trouble, Or they may take the price of the
ticket to New York out of your wages
I'm see you again when | finish the train
SAID the conductor, mildly, as lie left me to
continue his work. In few minutes he came
IN again and sat down in the seat with me TO
ask few questions. lconccaled my identity
and told simple story that was on my way
home to New York after a brief visit to some
Omaha friends. Finally he became convinced
that l was all right, and then told me that he
would not like to be reported because he had
had some trouble with the superintendent, and
anything might be used as pretext for his
discharge. To ask for pass TO New York
would involve an explanation which might get
HIM into trouble. Would be satisfied if he
got the conductor the Pennsylvania road,
that Is the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago
to take ne with him and pass me through? l
reluctantly consented. and when we got to
Chicago he made the necessary arrangements,
and | came through in fine style. sleeping in
Pullman the second night, as a courtesy to the
friend OF the Rock Island conductor At Chi
caSo my rough friend wanted to buy me a new
hat, bat / wouldn't allow that ete at the
rally ay refreshment stations, moderately, of
course. and when / reached New York had 80
cents left"