The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-20
CHUCKER'S TROUSERS.

How far it is eXpedient to convert a rail
way carriage into dressing room is ques-
ton which would be quickly solved in the
negative in continental countries, where
guards walk along the footboards and col
lect tickets while the train is in motion.
But in England passenger who likes to
change his attire in a first class compart-
Inent is, as a rule, pretty secure from in
terruption.
At least so thought Mr. BGynaby Chuck
er, as he alighted from hanson at Pad
dington and rushed across the platform,
holding a railway rug and a carpet bag.
which contained a complete change of
raiment-to wit, dress clothes.
Mr.. Chucker had received an invitation
to dine at Windsor, with some friend of
influential position, but being a busy man
he had not found time to dress at his office
in the city or at his chambers at the West
End Stepping into the train he slipped a
shilling into the hand of the guard and
said:
keep this compartment; l want to
dress"
"All right, SIR" answered the guard, and
the next moment the train started.
Mr. Chucker then unlocked his carpet
bag and drew out clean shirt, with other
equipments necessary 70 his bodily adorn-
ment
1t must not be supposed that he did this
without reluctance, for he was a great
stickler about all the proprieties of life
He objected TO seeing things out of season
If he had caught his best friend changing
his pantaloons in a railway carriage be
would have thought meanly of him for
being of disorderly habits, and so now he
judged himself with a candid severity for
not having better regulated his own time.
'If an accident occurred" unused he, as
he removed his coat and waistcoat, II
wonder what would be thought of me for
being half undressed in train?'
This reflection made him redden He
was shy, middle aged man, with large
red ears and fat, florid face. The effect
of pulling off his boots always suffused his
countenance with crimson, and it did
so now, insomuch that, what with the
color that came from physical eXertion and
that which resulted from a troubled con-
science, Mr.. Barnaby Chucker looked truly
distressed Having removed his boots, he
denuded himself of his trousers. This was
a trying moment, for if an accident had
happened thenl
"Why, why, dear meT' calculated Mr..
Chucker at this stage of his cogitations,
Il think the train-no, it cannot be-is
stopping"
The train was stopping in effect, as Mr.
Chucker might have foreseen that it would
do, since he was not travelling by express;
but he had been so enwrapped in his self
upbraiding thoughts that he had not even
noticed the first slackening of the engines
speed.
He now found himself in the midst of a
very disreputable litter of clothes, and
with no time to redress himself before the
train stopped.
He had to decide hastily whether be
would steam alongside Ealing platform in
his shirt sleeves or minus his pantaloons
He chose wisely in budding on his coat,
which he buttoned up, while he covered
his lower man with his railway rug This
done, he collected as many of his belong
ings as he could into his bag. kicked his
boots under a seat and tried to look diCni-
fed.
The train had come to a standstill now,
and q guard opened the door Of the car
riage in which our hero was sitting and
cried:
There's room here, sir, for you and this
lady"
"Hi, guard' exclaimed Mr.. Chucker,
leaning out in horror, you told me l
should have this compartment TO myself"
Unfortunately for our modest friend the
guard TO whom he had given the shilling
was not the one appointed to travel with
the train. These little mistakes often oc-
,,I Lad -
The present guard said bluntly.
81 can't give you a compartment 10 YOUR
self unless you pay for it, sir. It's against
the rules. Here, madam, step in, please"
A lady who looked in very delicate health
got into the carriage and a gentleman with
her. Mr. Barnaby Chucker felt ready TO
swoon. Before he could inform the guard
Of his readiness 20 pay for a whole com
partment sooner than have his privacy in
truded upon. the train was of again, and
Mr.. Chucker fell TO rejecting how he
should effect his change of carriages at
Slough, now that ne was in no lit state TO
step on 10 platform. The train in which
he travelled was not bound straight for
Windsor, but for Birmingham, and Mr..
Chucker would have TO change at Slough
If he wished 10 dine with his friends that
evening.
Alas. more urgent difficulty than that
involved in a change of carriages soon pre-
scented itself 10 him. for no sooner had the
train started than the lady who had Just
stepped in began 10 moan aud % shiver,
saying that she felt cold all over. Her
husband sought 70 quiet her. bu; it was
81 Of no use, for she was really i'll AZ last