The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-30

Amusing Incidents and Borrowed
Passes-An Irishman's Cheek.
Eront the IYosbinofon Past


Passes-An Irishman's Cheek.
From the Washington Post.
Several Washington officials who CHANGED
to meet the other evening were lamenting
the present scarcity of railroad passes,
which deplorable state Of affairs was brought
about by the passage Of the interstate COM
merce bill several years ago. Before that
time passes were plenty. and nearly every
man holding an important office, with any
patronage attached thereto, could display a
pocketbook wefl-hned with the festive
"trip" and "annuals." Many Of these for
tunate pass-holders were generous in
loaning them TO their friends. and numerous
amusing as well as sorrowful incidents there
were that often befell the borrowers, as two
or three of the gentlemen above mentioned
were we'll aware, judging from the personal
experiences they related. One OF these
gentlemen, who holds q high position in
government service in this city, told the
following adventure which befen him while
riding on another mans pass. Said he:
IA number of years ago l was about TO
leave the western part of Pennsylvania on
a trip to Washington, when | met friend,
one Mr.. E, who was then member Of the
legislature of that state. On learning of
my proposed trip, he kindly offered to
'chalk my hat" as we called it in those
udyS, III QUIET ne Inc UQ6
use of his annual pass over the Northern
Central railroad. Having been assured by
my friend that l could easily assume the
role of a member of the Pennsylv
legislature pro tenlpore. at any rate, l
accepted the offer aud went on my way
rejoicing.
81 had been in the car only few minutes
when my attention was called to the appar-
emit nervousness of a seedy-looking individu-
al who sat near the front of the car. AS
the conductor approached, the seedy
passengers uneasiness increased. But when
the ticket:taker finally reached him, the
former drew himself together, assumed as
bold front as his appesrau ce would permit
and handed the conductor an annual pass.
The ticket-puncher scanned the pass,
| brought his lantern square arond so its
| light glared full In the face of the pass
bearer and asked: "You are Mr.. -, are
you9 Are you member of the Pennsyl-
vania legislaturew The man, who looked
II ore like hungry tramp than like a
statesman, replied that he was Mr.. .
| A searching, professionally doubling ex-
preston came into the conductors face,
which seemed to say: Il know you are
| lying, but can't very well prove it just
now, so i'll have to let you ride" At any
rate he returned the pass, and resumed
his work of punching and taking up tick
| cts.
| You can perhaps imagine that the
| interval between this conversation, every
word Of which | overheard, and the time
the brass -buttoned railroad official reached
me was not the mo3s pleasant period in my
| life But was determined not to back out
! for had sufficient confidence in myself to
| think that If that fellow in the front of the
car could work through on a pass not his
own, | certainly had an equal chance for do
| ing the same. Therefore, | handed out my
| friends pass with all the assurance | could
muster, and as the conductor took it and
read the name, he exclaimed: II am very
glad to meet you, Mr.. E.. for you can help
me ont OF a difficulty. Up ahead of you a
| few seats is fellow who claims 70 be Mr.
--, a member Of tho legislature. He
offered me the latter's pass but / have
spotted him as a dead beat You, however,
can tell me whether or not ] am correct 10
50 thinking"
This was getting interesting for me. In
order 10 gain time ! asked: at b which
/ gentleman do you refer p
THE conductor turned around b POINT
out b me the alleged Imposter. and after
looking IN all dir c.ions, exclaimed why,
the - seOundTel has sneAked out"
81 am a firm believer In special provi.
denees, AMI consider this escape II mine
from what might have besg a most subar.
rasslng predlcsmeUt ~ "A marked corrobo-
ration a ny belief. LaiRat add taat this
wac the hfsf aud last time ! ever irayelof