Morris tribune., 1891-07-08
An Easy Chair.
Jail.

A large share of mans inventive genius
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 a long
time before the defendants OF Adam and
Eve.dould devise anything better for
seat than log or boulder. And even
when chairs were invented, they were
reserved for Kings, Emperors, Priests
and high personages. Among so-calied
civilized nations of the present day, sit
ting legged on amat 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 rs in our own
country improvements are eagerly adopt
ed. The inhabitant of the cottage, as
we'll as the dweller in the palace,
insists that his furniture shall be easy
and luxurious. Accustomed to his cush-
toned chair and slippers at home, the
American when he travels requires the
same attention paid to his comfort He
will journey not only swiftly but softly
and easily. Every effort is made to sat-
isfy the demand and hence the evolution
of the sleeping, parlor, and dining cars
for railroad travel. Theses however,
were so far luxuries that their enjoyment
involved expense beyond the cost OF a
railroad ticket, and thus many worthy
people were debarred from the enjoy
ment of the rich. The question confront
ed the railroads. Must thousands of in
dependent American Sovereigns be made
that they are only just common people?
Perish the thought! We will provid
them then even the luxurious coaches
now in use, and this accommodation shall
be free" The result of this determine
ton was the reclining chair car. To be
sure, the traveller bound for st. Paul,
Minneapolis or the bright and bustling
cities that dot the majestic Mississippi
could enjoy the Pullman sleeper or the
parlor car, but 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 q 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
panorama of scenery, grand, beautiful
tie of the "Scenic Mississippi Route" To
St. Paul every morning, except Sunday,
.rI Thiaarn nyannf SQf-
urday, are now attached the chair cars,
No. $50, No. 553 or No. $50. Let US board
one of these for trip southwark. En-
tering the vestiuble we are in short
aisle, on one side of which, neatly en-
closed, is Baker heater, which main
tains an agreeable temperature by circu-
lation of hot water in pipes running the
whole length of the car. On the oppos-
tie side is the ladies' layatory. Enter the
body of the car. From the floor COM
posed Of narrow strips of dark and light
woods alternating, to the richly polished
dark paneling of the sides, and the light
er and more brightly decorated ceiling,
from which depend double lamps of
crystal glass and glistening nickel, we
find nothing bnt what IS pleasing to the
eye, speaking of comfort and of ease
Passing through, in the other extremity
is a commodious smoking room and lava
tory for the use of gentlemen, the size of
which is surprise to those who are ia
miliar with the narrow limits of other
cars. Now that we have had our smoke,
let US sit down with our fellow passen-
gers. The seat is roomy-no cfowding
from your fat neighbor; let the side arms
back a 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 Lake St.
Croix. The lofty bluffs aad the magnifi-
cent sweep of the river are wonderful
in their lovliness. And now we swing
around the towering heights of MAID
ems Rock" and the broad blue expanse
of Lake Pepin comes into view. There
is a futter ST ribbons among the ladies
on the right, craning of necks out
the windows, and ordinations of de-
light are heard. This is the luxury of
day travel, and among these well-pleased
people the uniformed porter moves quiet
ly, adjusting window here and hand
ing a glass of water there. II is after
dinner and we have left La Crosse. You
feel like taking nap? Pull out that
foot rest and let your chair-back fall an
other notch or two. Well, just one more
| word-you see almost oil kinds and
| conditions of men here, but the "rail-
road 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, end 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.