The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-07-09
An Easy chair.

An Easy Chair.
A large sh are of mans inventive oen;us
has always been DEVOTED to MAKING him
self comfortable, but it is only within the
present century that his efforts have been
crowned with success. Take the matter
of chairs, for instance. 1t was Iong
time before the descendants of Adam and
Eve could devise anything better for a
seat than log or boulder. And even
when chairs were invented, they were re-
served for Kings, Emperors. Priests and
high personages. Among some so-called
civilized nations of the present day. sit
ting cross-legged on mat is the only
method recognized as the correct thing.
even in Japan, whose people are STYLED
the Yankees of the Orient"
Of all the peoples of the world. the
American is the leader in that which
conduces to comfort, and it is in our own
country improvements are eagerly
adopted. The inhabitant of the cottage.
as well as the dweller in the palace. In
sists that his furniture shall be easy and
luxurious. Accustomed to his cushioned
chair and slippers at home, the American
when be travels requires the same atten-
ton paid to his comfort. He will iour-
ney not molly swiftly but softly and easily.
Every effort is made to satisfy the de-
mand, and hence the evolution of the
sleeping, parlor and dining cars for rail-
road travel. These, however, were so
far luxuries that their enjoymentinyolved
expense beyond the cost of a railroad
ticket, and thus many worthy people were
debarred from the enjoyment of the rich.
The question confronted the railroads.
"Must thousands of independent Ameri-
can sovereigus be made to feel that they
are only just common people? Perish
the thought! We will provide them bet
ter than even the luxurious coaches now
in use, and this accommodation shall be
free" The result of this determination
was the reclining chair car. To be sure,
the traveller bound for St. Paul, Mime
apolis or the bright and busting cities
that dot the shores of the majestic Mis-
sissippi could enjoy the Pullman sleeper
or the parlor car, but a uniformed guard
stood at the portal and exacted round
fee for entrance. The Burlington has
been quick to discern and prompt to
supply what would add to the comfort
of the travelling public. and now places
in its day trains service of reclining
chair cars, free of all charges, fees or ex-
actions of any sort. Its day trains, thun-
dering along the east bank of the Miss
issippi for full three hundred and nifty
miles, unroll before the travellers eve
such panorama of scenery, grand beau
tiful and charming, that it has gained
the title of the "Scenic Mississippi River
Route" To these trains, leaving Min
neapolis and St. Paul every morning,
except Sunday, and Chicago every even
ing, except Saturday, are now attached
the chair cars, No. $50, No. $50 or No.
$50. Let us board one of these for trip
southwark. Entering the vestibule we
are in short aisle, on one side of which,
neatly enclosed, is Baker heater. which
maintains an agreeable temperature by
circulation of hot water in pipes running
the whole length of the car. On the OPP
posite side is the ladies' lavatory. Enter
the body of the car. From the floor,
composed of narrow strips of dark and
light woods alternating, to the richly
polished dark panelingof the sides, and
the lighter and more brightly decorated
ceiling, from which depend double lamps
of crystal glass and glistenine nickel, we
find nothing but what is pleasing to the
eye, speaking of comfort and of ease.
Passing through, in the other extremity
is a commodious smoking room and
lavatory for the use of gentlemen, the
size of which is surprise to those " no
are familiar with the narrow limits of
other cars. Now that we have had our
smoke, let us sit down with onr fellow
passengers. The seat is roomy-no
crowding from your fat neighbour let the
side arms back couple of notches and
you could not be more delightfully."- en-.
sconced in your easy chair at home. To
your left is the placid and beautiful Lake
ST.. Croix. The lofty bluffs and the mag
nifcent sweep of the river are wonderful
in their loyeliness. And now we swing
around the to wering heights of" Maiden's
Rock" and the broad blue expanse of
Lake Pepin comes into view. There is a
f1utter of ribbons among the ladies on
the right, a craning of necks out the win
dows, and EXPLANATIONS of delight, are
heard. This is the luxury of day travel,
and among these well-pleased people the
uniformed porter moves quietly, adjust
ing window here and handing a glass
of water there. 1t is after dinner and we
have left La Crosse. You feel like taking
a nap? Pull out that foot rest and let
your chair-back fall another notch or
two. Well, just one more word-you
have seen almost "all kinds and condi-
tons of men" here, but the railroad
hog" who spreads himself over two
double seats and gets his feet on the
cushions, is mot in it" in this place.
What, dropped off to slumber already?
Well, goodbye, and we are sure when
ever you have daylight journey to
make up or down the river, You will
travel by The Burlington, the only free
reclining chair car line between the Twin
Cities and Chicago.