, 1892-01-26
4 LITTLE FAMILY DIFFERENCE.

W oAu - v "a III
Matter, but the Elder Won.
Up on the Delaware and Hudson rail
road the other day two nervous old ladies
climbed on board the south bound train
at Crown Point. They were of the same
height, looked much alike and both of
them wore gossamer rubber cloaks-
possibly under the vague impression that
cinders melt. They huttered into a seat
near the door, evidently prepared for n
long journey. When the bird cage, two
satchels and three shoe boxes of luncheon
had been properly slowed away, the two
ladies sat down in unison, much as if.
pulled on one string.
Beyond a vigorous attack on the
luncheon an hour later, they quietly de-
voted their attention to the scenery I'M
til Albany was reached in the late after
noon. That being the terminus of the
road, the passengers started for the car
door as the train stopped, but there
seemed to be a blockade of some sort on
the platform. 1t wasn't just exactly a
blockade; it was the two old ladies from
Crown Point.
Equipped with satchels, the bird cage
and the luncheon NOW reduced to one
shoe box), they had led the procession to
the door, but had succeeded in getting
no farther, as the train had run into the
station on a middle track, and they
could not agree on which side of the car
to get off.
81 tell you, Janet" said the old lady
with the bird cage, with much dignity,
''that this is the proper side. 1t is nearer
the depot, and no doubt our train is close
by. Come, don't be obstinate, sister,"
she added persuasively.
81 will not leave the car on that side"
declared the other, holding up the shoe
box and both satchels as if for a barri-
cade, which the impatient crowd within
the car thought quite superfuous. of
you think l am going to career across
three tracks" she continued ~emphatical-
ly, sin front of moving locomotives, and
risk ourselves and that precious bird,
then l say, Hannah, you have lost your
senses; that's all"
"You seem to forget that / am older
than you, Janet" ~rejoined the other
with offended dignity.
THAT may all be, hut little good it's
done. You would have scandalized the
whole family at Cousin Maria Soper's
funeral up at the Corners if / had not
insisted"-
"Heyr' Whats the matterT' "Shake
it upl" Get off" came in a chorus from
the impatient throng inside.
"Sakes aliver" CALCULATED the beliger-
ent Janet, for the first time observing
the crowd in waiting. "Come this way.
Do come" pleaded the other.
81 won't"
"You must; / insist" cried the elder
sister, stepping hastily down to decide
the matter. There was nc further
chance for argument. Already the other
passengers were pushing out. So, with
an expression of annoyance and fright,
the second old lady tourist Joined the
other and the two rubber gossamers be-
gan their devious flight across the tracks
N before waiting locomotives toward
the station. They cached there at
length, but ii was apparent that some
thing had happened.
81 told you SO! l told you so!' almost
screamed h younger sister as soon as
she could catch her breath.
"You say yoa dropped ity' asked the
other in troubled tones.
Yes; that horrid engine let off steam
and jumped. l suppose l dropped it
then. Why can't engines hold theiI
steam till they get out in the country.
I'd like to known
"Well, never mind, Janet, we can get
along" said the other soothingly.
But do mind. l suppose, Hannah.
l { ought to be thankful that you and the
bird are safe; but just to think" she
added, with almost a sob, 'the whole of
Aunt Lucinda's sponge cake gone, and
we've only got to Albany"
And sure enough, some distance up
the second track, reposing peacefully OF
the off rail, lay the familiar green out
line of the last shoe box.-New York
Tribune.