The morning call., 1890-08-24
RAILROAD PASSES.
Good Story About Travelling on
AnOther's Piece of Pasteb0ard.

Several Washington officials who chaneed
to meet the other evening, says the Wash
iDgton Post, were lamenting the present
scarcity of railroad passes, which deplor-
able state of affairs was brought about by
the passage of the Interstate Commerce
Bill several years ago. Before that time
passes were plenty, and nearly every man
holding an important office, with any patro-
mage attached thereto, could display
pocketbOok well-lined with the festive
"trip" and ANNALS" Many Of these
fortunate pass-h0lders were generous in
loaning them to their friends, and numer-
Gus amusing as well as sOrrOwful incidents
there were that often befell the borrowers,
as two or three of the gentlemen above
mentioned were well aware, judging from
the personal experiences they related. One
of these gentlemen, who holds a high posi-
ton in Government service in this city,
told the following adventure which befell
him while riding on another mans pass.
Said he:
"a 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 a member OF
the Legislature of that State. On learning
of my proposed trip he kindly offered to
chalk my hat, as We called 1t in those
DAYS, or in other words, he rendered me
ern Central Railroad. having been as
sured by my friend that | could easily as
sumo the role of member of the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature pro tempore at any rate,
l accepted the offer and went on my way
rejoicing.
Il had been in the car only few min
utes when my attention was called to the
apparent nervousness of a Seedy-loOking in
dlvldual who sat near the front of the car.
As the conductor approached the seedy
Cnh ItKt
when the ticket-taker finally reached him,
the former drew himself together, assumed
as bold a front as his appearance would
permit and handed the conductor an annual
pass. The ticket-puncher scanned the
pass, brought his lantern square around so
its light glared full in the face of the pass
bearer and asked: You are Mr.. -, are
you? Are you a member of the Pennsyl-
vania LegisatureY The man, who looked
more like a hungry tramp than like a
statesman, replied that he was Mr. -.
A searching, professionally doubling ex-
preston caine into the conductors face,
which seemed to say: Il know you are ly-
ing, 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 aud taking up tickets.
You can, perhaps, imagine that the in
terval between this conversation every
word OF which | overheard and the time
the Drass-buttOned railroad officials reached
me was not the most pleasant period in my
lie. But l was determined not to back
out, for l bad sufficient confidence in my
self 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 doing the same. Therefore 1 handed
out my friends pass with al! the assurance
/ could muster, and as the conductor took
il and read the name he exclaimed: am
very glad to meet you, Mr.. E., for you can
help me out Of difficulty. Up ahead of
you few seats is fellow who claims to be
Mr.. =, a member Of the Legislature. lie
offered ME the latter's pass, but have spot
ted him as dead beat You, however, can
tell me whether or not l am correct in so
thinking
"Ihis was getting interesting for me. In
order 10 gain time asked: Ito which
gentleman do you referY
The conductor turned around to point
out to me the alleged impOster, aud. after
looking in all directions, exclaimed: why,
the scoundrel has sneaked out
am firm believer in special provi-
dences, and 1 consider this escape OF mine
from what might have been a most elnbar-
RAISING predcament as a marked corrOb0-
ration of my belief. l might add that this
was The first and last time j ever travelled
'h pass not made out in my own name"
The original manuscript of Captain
COOK voyage Round the World" I76S