The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-08
CHEAP TOURIST PARTIES.

How to Cross the Country Inexpensiveiy.
1t is now possible to cross the continent
10 san Francisco and make friends on the
way and have a jolly time as when you
cross the Atlantic on fast liner in the
same number Of days, says the New York
sun. That did not used TO be 50. The old
way was 10 take numbered seat in
sleeping car and 80 through with the
chance that no one but the conductor and
the train newsbOys would ever speak TO
YOU The new way is by means Of what
are called tourist excursions. They are
run at secOnd-class rates but on the fast
est time and with special cars. The con-
duct0rs win take a first-class passenger
If such a one should offer himself. There
are at least twftiO OF these companies run
ming personally conducted excursions over
opposition lines and both advertise very
low rates and quick time. The cars are
plenty good enough for anybody but
are not as ornate as the regular palace
cars. In them the people start at Ne"
York or Boston and go through without
change. eating their meals IN dining car
out as far as COUNSEL Bluffs II they want
to and stopping at dining stations along
the rest Of each route. a great many VINO
push 10 the farthest extreme that econ
omv which is the distinctive characters
tic of such carloads carry their own rare
,citb them In baskets and either buy mo-
thing but tea and coffee or even make
for themselves on the road.
The passengers I'm the frst-class coaches
an the same trains are quickly made
aware Of the fact that their trains carry
these tourist parties. for they hear the
laughter and singing and rOmping Of the
tourist. who by the end Of the second day
out are all acquainted with one another
and bent on having jolly and fraternal
time. They share their dellcacies. their
papcr-covered novels and their hopes ana
fears with one another, stream out or
the cars I'm great parties when there IS
long stop. to gather flowers or 10 take
in "a new town." and In all ways frater
nize as though they had all known each
other for years
The circular Of one Of these excursion
cornpanies announces that II 'gaurds its
patrons AGAINST the presence Of the immi-
grant and the untdy"and against the in
triislOn OF the way passenger. Every
thing that viii contribute 10 the general
pleasure is welcomed. but nothing o1en-
sive Is tolerated. Some Of the cars nave
smoking-TOOms but n there Is one WIN
outfit the men must go forward 10 the re-
ular train smoker 10 enjoy their pipes ana
cisars. A special conductor goes WIN
each party and saves the tourists In
annoyance Of being awakened TO show
their tickets during each night The tour
list cars look like regular sieepers In inc
raw. being built on the same plan put
not finished with the same elegance. Uh-
ike the immigrant siepers. they are
eo,lpped with carpets, curtains pillows
mattresses. blankets sheets, pilow-cases'
towels. combs, brushes. etc, requir-
ing nothing Of the kind 20 be furnished
hy the passenger. Each car has a stove
for the making OF tea and coffee ana
each section can be fitted with an ad
Unstable table A uniformed coloredpor-
ter accompanies each car to make up
berths keep the car clean and TO make
himself useful.-Chicago News.