The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-07-10
AN EASY CHAIR

AN EASY CHAIR.
A large share of mans inventive
genius has always been devoted to
making himself 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 long
time before the descendants of Adam
and Eve could devise anything bet
ter for q seat than q log or bould-
er. And even when chairs were in
vented. they were reserved for Kings,
Emperors, Priests and high person
ages. Among some sO-called civil
lied nations Of the present day. sit
ting crOss-legged on q mat is the
only mehod 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, insists that his furni-
ture shall be easy and luxurious.
Accustomed to his cushioned chair
chair and slippers at home, the
American when he travels requires
the same attention paid to his COM
tort. He will journey not only
swiftly but softly and easily. Every
effort is made to satisfy the demand,
and hence the evolution of the Sleep
ing, parlor and dining cars for rail
road travel. These, however, were
so far luxurious that their enjoyment
involved expense beyond the cost of
a railroad ticket, and thus many
worthy people were debarred from
the enjoyment of the rich. The ques-
ton confronted the railroads.
"Must thousands of Independent
American sovereigns be made to feel
that they are only just common peo-
pie? Perish the thought! We will
provide them better than even the
luxurious coaches now in use,
and this accommodation shall
be free" The result OF this deter
mination was the reclining chair car.
To be sure, the traveller bound for
St. Paul, Minneapolis or the bright
and bustling cities that dot the
shores of the majestic Mississippi
could enjoy the Pullman sleeper or
the parlor car, but a uniformed
guard stood at the portal and ex-
acted a 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
it's day trains a service of reclining
chair cars, free OF all charges, fees or
exactions OF any sort. Its day
trains, laundering along the east
bank OF the Mississippi for full three
hundred and fifty miles, unroll before
the travellers eye such a panorama
OF scenerey, grand, beautiful and
charming, that it has gained the
title of the "Scenic Mississippi River
Route.' To these trains, leaving
Minneapolis and St. Paul every
morning, except Sunday, and Chica-
go every evening, except Saturday,
are now attached the chair cars, No.
$50, No. $50 or No. $50. Let us
board one Of these for trip south
ward. Entering the vestibule we
are in a short aisle, on one side of
which, neatly inclosed, is a Baker
heater, which maintains an agree
able temperature by circulation of
hot water in pipes running the whole
length of the car. On the opposite
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 paneling of
the sides, aud the lighter and more
brightly decorated ceiling, from
which depend double lamps of crys-
tai glass and glistening 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 a surprise to those who are famil-
lar with the narrow limits of other
cars. Now that we have had our
smoke, let us sit down with our fell
low passengers. The seat is roomy
no crowding from your fat neigh
Dor; let the side arms back q couple
of notches and you could not be
more delightfully."- ensconced in your
easy chair at home. To your left is
the placid and beautiful LAX St.
Croix. The lofty bluffs and the mag
nifcent sweep of the river are Won
derful in their loneliness. And now
we swing around the towering
nights of ''Maiden's Rock" and the
broad blue expanse of Lake Pepin
comes into view. There is futter
of ribbons among the ladies on the
right, craning of necks out the
windows, and EXPLANATIONS of de-
light are heard. This is the luxury
of day travel, and among these we'll
pleased people the uniformed porter
moves quietly, adjusting a window