The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-16
WANTED A TICKET
The Agent Was Busy So He Missed
Train

Inc Agent was Busy so lie Missed his
Train.
"Ticket to Vincennes,' he said quietly,
as he entered the little station at Calvin,
warmed his hands, and stepped briskly
up to the window.
Twelve seventy-four, three eighty
| two, nine-siXty-five," came the monoto-
nous voice of the ticket-agent, checking
off his running account TO his assistant.
Twelve -seventy-four. three eighty
! two, nine-siXty-f replied the drawl
of the clerk, as he o. K-ed the tally.
"a ticket 10 Nincennes, please" crisply
called the traveller, as he looked quickly
at bis watch.
Thirty four nineteen, eight-fiity zone,
nine-seventy-fve." went on the undis-
turbed voice of the agent, as the whistle
OF the coming train was heard at the half
| signal post.
II would like ticket to Vincennes,"
sharply said the traveller a little louder,
and he impatiently twisted his fiye-dolIar
bill in his nervous fingers.
Thirty four-nineleen, eight ninety
seven, nine-seventy- five" came the un-
! interrupted call OF the assistant bending
| over his list.
81 want a tick ct TO Vincennes," impera-
I lively remarked the traveller, while the
onset OF arrival and the hustle OF parting
/ friends filled the air, and his hastily
/ SlId DGC ipStlSh anu AluA A4SNAy EISNl
umbrella tangled themselves up under
/ his arms as he leaned over the shelf and
tried to attract attention.
! But only stony, unconcerned glare
| looked over his head to the ceiling be-
! yond, and the list went slowly, method
/ ically on:
"Thirteen-thirty-fou sixty-two-ten,
eleye,n-iorty-two,' said the agent.
| "Thirteen-thirty-fo siXty-two-ten,
! eleven forty-two," repeated the clerk.
"All aboard" came the faint warning
of the conductor on the frosty air.
II want a ticket TO Vincennes,' shouted
the traveller, kicking on the partition.
Scratch, scratch, scratch, went the
! sputtering pen; tab, tab, tab, went the
woolly blotters; and the agent and the
clerk went slowly, mechanically, sullenly
on, unmoveG, though the premonitory
piff-pitf- piff-f-f-f-ph of the air
brake test broke the deadly oppressive
ness OF the air.
Here, you, agent, L want a ticket to
! Vincennes,'' shrieked the traveller, with
an angry ring in his voice, and his UNI
brella beat an agitated staccato on the
partition panel as he fiddled his anxious
knees.
Nineteen forty one, six fifteen, eleven
ten, ninety" drowsily droned the call OF
the agent.
Nineteen forty-one, fifteen, eleven
| ten, ninety" buried the dragging echo OF
the clerks recording note, as the clang OF
the engine bell announced the starting OF
the train.
"Gimme ticket to Vincennes," yelled
the traveller, fairly dancing up and down
as the grind of sullen iron upon the
clanking rails announced the swiftly-in-
creasing impetus of the limited express.
Thirty six-sixtY-one, two twenty
two, ten-balance entered" calmly said
the agent
"Thirty-s ty-one, two twenty
two, ten-O. H." sighed the clerk, and
the yellow book closed with a slam.
what is it you want?' asked the
agent imperiously. with a careless glance
through the wire screen, as he prepared
to close the shutter.
Il wanted ticket to Vincennes, you
dunder-headed dutfer :" beloved the
| traveller, foaming at the mouth, and
pounding upon the shelf with his fists
in impotent wrath as the clank, clank OF
the last switch in the yards smote upon
the ear.
"Well, there's no need of being
fidgety," growled the agent with injury
and annoyance i'll every tone. 1.-THE trains
gone, and there won't be another till
eight-twenty-one tonight; so you've got
all day to get your ticket. l don't see
what you're so everlastingly snatched
about ~
But the traveller was gone, slamming
the door so hard behind him that the Big
Four time-card became loosened from the
wall.-Chicago lnter-Ocean.