Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-12-27
CHUCKER'S TROUSERS.


How far 1t IL expedient to convert a rail-
way carriage into a dressing room il cues
zion which w0nld be quickly solved in the
negative In continental countries. where
guards walk along the footboards and COL
iect tickets while the train Is in motion.
But In England a passenger who likes 70
ehange his attire in first class compart-
ment Is, as rule, pretty secure from in
terruption.
At least 80 thought Mr.. Barnaby Chuck
er, rs he alighted from hanson at Pad
dington and rushed across the platform,
holding railway rug and carpet bag,
which contained 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
be 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 CHS 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 a clean shirt, with other
equipments necessary to his bodily adorn-
ment.
1t must not be supposed that he did this
without reluctance, for he was q great
stickler about all the proprieties Of life
He objected to seeing things out of season.
II be had caught his best friend changing
his pantaloons in a railway carriage he
would have thought meaniy of him for
being Of disorderly habits and so now he
Judged himself with candid severity for
not having letter regulated his own time.
IF an accident occurred" unused he, al
he removed bis coat and waistcoat, 81
wonder what would be thought of me for
being half undressed in a train."
This reflection made him redden. He
was u shy, middle aged man, with large
red ears and a fat, aorid 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 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 il an accident had
happened then!
"Why, why, dear mer' calculated Mr..
Chucker at this stage of his cogitations,
II think the traiu-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 he
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
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 digni-
fed.
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"
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-
- ,laa, nt
The present guard said bluntly:
81 can't give you a compartment to 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 gentleman with
her. Mr.. Barnaby Chueker felt ready to
syoon. Before he could inform the guard
of his readiness to pay for whole com
partment sooner than have his privacy in
truded upon, the train was off again, and
Mr.. Chucker fell to rejecting how he
should effect his change of carriages at
Slough, now that he was in no fit state to
step on to 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
II he wished to dine with his friends that
evening.
Alasi a more urgent difficulty than that
involved in change Of carriages soon pre-
sented itself to him, for no sooner had the
train started than the lady who had Just
stepped in began to moan and TO shiyer,
saving that she felt cold all over. Her
husband sought to quiet her, but it was
all of no use, for she was really ill. AT last
the poor man looked in despair at Mr..
Chucker, ami politely said:
excuse me for taking great liberty,
sir. but would you be so kind as to lend
my wife your rugf We started in hurry
and forgot to bring one. As 1t Is not
cold day, perhaps you would not mina
obliging us as far as Slough, where snail
be able to bay rug
"Eh," granted Mr.. Chucker, stupened'
The request completely staggered him.
and he could find no words in which to re-
ply. ,.sr o,r
rup,n repeated the gentleman. rather as
tonished.
Hoop growled Mr.. Chucker, In voice
like bears. Ii had just occurred to MIN
that the safest way out OF his diincuitiee
would be to sham being mad
A Frenchman would have quietly beck
.na,i the gentleman to the other aide o. tAe