The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1892-05-20
PUNCH's EXAMPLE.

sSs~~Ctu Goh18s
PIJNCH'S EXAMPLE.
The first class smoking carriage was
the emptiest in the whole train, and
even this was hot to suffocation, because
my only companion denied me moro.
than inch Of open window His chest,
he explained cnrtly, was susceptible.
As we crawled westward through the
glaring country, the SUMS rays beat on
the carriage roof till seemed to be-
crushed under an anvil. counting the
strokes. I had dropped my book and
was staring listlessly out OF the window.
At the other end Of the compartment
my fellow passenger had pulled down
all the blinds and hidden his face be-
hind The Western Morning News He
was red faced, choleric little man Of
about sixty, with salient stomach, d
prodigious nose, to which he carried
snuff about once in two minutes, and d
marked deformity OF the shoulders. For
comfort, and also perhaps to hide this
hump, he rested his back in the angle
by the window. He wore black al
| paca coat, high stock, white waistcoat
and trousers OF shepherds plaid On no
definite grounds, guessed him to be q
| lawyer and unmarried.
| Just before entering the station at
Lostwithiel, our train passed between
| the white gates Of a level crossing. A
moment before / had caught sight OF the
George" dropping from the church
spire, and at the crossing saw it was
| regatta day in the little town. The road
was full Of people and lined with sweet
standings, and by the near end Of the
bridge Punch and Judy show was just
closing performance. The orchestra
had unloosed his drum and fallen to
mopping the back of his neck with the
red handkerchief that had previously
bound the pan pipes to his chin. a
crowd hung around, and among II
i noted several men and women In black,
hideous blots in the pervading sunshipe,
Tie station platform was thronged a
wo drew up, ana Il was clear at oncs
that all the carriages in the train would
be besieged without regard to class. BJ
some chance, however, we were disre
garded and escape seemed likely till ths
very last moment The guards whistle
was between his lips, when hea--d
shout, then one or two feminiJs, scream
and party of seven or Elm came tear
ing ont Of the booking c.fice. Every on
OF them was dressed In complete black
They were, in fact, the peopis had seel
| staring at the Punch a..a a.aa Judy show
i A moment later the door Of our com
| partment opened and we were invaded
They tumbled in over my legs, painting
laughing, exclaiming, calling to eacl
other to hurry--an old man, two youths
four middle aged women and little
! girl about four years old. MY cholerit
fei,.,w passenger leaped up, choking
with wra..h, and shouted to the guard
But the door was slammed on his indig.
nation, and we movet of. He sat back,
purple above his stock, rescued his
malacca walking stick from under ::he
coat tails Of subsiding youth, stuck it
upright between his knees and glared
around at the intruders. They were still
possessed with excitement over their
narrow escape and unconscious Of Of
fense. One Of the women dropped into
the corner seat and took the little girl
on her lap. The child's dusty boots
rubbed against the old gentleman's trou-
sers. He shifted his position, grunted,
and took snuff furiously.
THAT was nibby jibby," the old man
OF the party observed, while his eye wan
dered around for q seat.
II thought should ha, died" !" said Q
robust woman, with wart on her cheek
and a yard Of Grape hanging from her
bonnet. Cant ZEE find nowhere to sit.
uncle?s
Reckon must shift pom your lap,
| Susannah." This was said with a
chuckle, and the woman Uttered.
What new tangled game be this o. the
Great Westerns. Arms to the seats, l
declare. Wen have to sit intimate, my
dears.
mTis first class" another woman an
nounced in an awed whisper. 81 saw it
'pon the door. You don't think they'll
| fine us"
ct all comes Of our stoppin to glare
at that Punch an Judy. !" the old fellow
went on, after had shown them how
to turn back the arm rests and they were
settled In something like comfort. ssBut
never could refrain from that antic--
tho feels condemned, too, ii way
an poor Thomas laid in earth no later
than II this mornin. But ii the midst
| of lfo we are In death.
aI don't remember more srccessful
buryin.e said the woman with the wart,
That was part luck, sou see--it bein
regatta day an the fun D. the fair not
properly begun. saw lot at the
lcemetery didn't know by face, an /
recipn they was mostly excursionists
that caught sight Of = funeral an fol-
lowed i, To fill up the time"
well, II all added.
.Oh. at<; Thomas was beautifully
inferred
sa.s s