Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-01-17
CHUCKER'S TROUSERS.

How far it is eXpelient to convert rail.
way carriage into dressing room is aques-
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 first class compart-
ment is, rs rule, pretty secure from in
corruption.
At least so thought Mr.. BGrnaby Chuck
err, as he alighted from a 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 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 u
shilling into the hand OF the guard and
said:
Keep this compartment / 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 a clean shirt, with other
equipments necessary to his bodily adorn-
ment.
IL 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.
II he had caught his best friend changing
his pantaloons in n railway carriage he
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, az
be removed his coat and waistcoat. 81
wonder what would be thought of me for
being half undressed in tramp
This reflection made him redden. He
was shy, middle aged man, with large
red ears and fat, 1orid face The effect
OF pulling of 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 troubled con-
science, Mr.. Barnaby Chucker looked truly
distressed. Having removed his boots. he
dehuded himself of his trousers. This was
a trying moment, for If an accident had |
happened thenl
why, why, dear me.' calculated Mr.. |
Chucker at this stage of his cogitations,
Il think the train-no, IL 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 ne had been so enwrapped in his self /
nporaiding 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.
lie had to decide hastily whether he
would steam alongside Ealing platform in
his shirt sleeves or minus his pautaloons.
de 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 diuni
lied.
The train had come to a standstill now.
and guard opened the door of the car
rage 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 |
should have this compartment TO myself.n
Unfortunately for our modest friend the
1850 ~ nc LII given IuS SMILING |
was not the one appointed to travel with
me tram These little mistakes often oc-
:ur and lead to unpleasant conseuuences
The present guard said bluntly:
Il can't give you a compartment to your-
elf unless you pay for it. sir It's against
he rules. Here, madam, step in, please u
A lady who looked in very delicate health
rot into the carriage and a gentleman with
Ter. Mr.. Barnaby Chucker felt ready 10
woon. Before he could inform the guard
u his readiness to pay for a whole com
'artment sooner than have his privacy in
ruded upon, the train was off again. and
DR. Chucker fell 10 rejecting how he
hould effect his change of carriages at
Tough, now that nc was in no fit state tn |
tep on TO platform. The train in which
. Travelled was not bound straight for
windsor, but for Birmingham, and Mr..
hucker would have to change at Sloupb |
he wished 10 dine with his friends that
yening.
Alas. a more urgent difficulty than that
lvolyed in change of carriages soon pre-
'nted itself To him, for no sooner had the ]
ain started than the lady who had Just
epped in began 70 moan and to SILVER. 8
'ylng that she felt cold all over. Her y
1soaEd sought TO quiet her, but It was i
OF no use, for she was really i'll. At last I
le poor man looked in despair at Mr.. =
hueker, and politely said: L
Excuse me for taking groat liberty.
:, put would You DO so kind ns TO lend \
, wife your rug7 We started in q hurry J
Al forgot to bring one. As il is mt n i,
''0-N"~a v0rr would mt Yn;na :