The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-17
For the Scranton Tribune.

N5re WOulu DS bn6 most disappointed
individual in Scranton today, For
four days previous to my starting on
my recent trip to Europe lived en-
tirely on anticipations. II is said that
half of our life is spent in anticipation.
How few of them become realizatious?
Twenty years ago l visited Europe
and the continent with my parents.
Being child | was unable to form an
intelligent idea of the customs and
habits and appreciate the scenery and
places Of interest in the old world. For
The past ten years it has been my great
est desire to again cross the Atlantic
and view the sights through eyes that
have had the advantage of twenty
years more OF experience. went
saw, am satisfied. After getting my
baggage out OF the custom house at
Liverpool the morning of my arrival
took cab and drove to Lime street
station where l was to book, as they
call it there, for Swansea, at which
place intended to spend Sunday. l
reached there zen minutes before 1t
was time for my train to start and af-
Ter procuring my ticket I started to
look for my trunk. which had pre-
coded me.
PLEASURES OF TRAVELLING.
was prepared to put up with some
inconvenience as regards the checking
Of my luggage for had been informed
before leaving here that the system
was much different, but | was hardly
prepared for the trouble that was in
store for me. After some difficulty
finally located my Saratoga out on the
sidewalk in the rear of the station.
It was surrounded by group Of half
dozen msn who gazsd on it with as
much amazsment as would at threa-
headed horse. Rushing up to them,
for my time now was becoming limited,
said to one Of the group:
Il want this trunk put on the
Swansea train"
"You will have to get porter, sir"
was the response.
Two minutes aud my train would be
gone, and the porter was many yards
away. At lasf | managed to reach him
and told him wanted my trunk put on
the train.
Cant now, sir. I'm busy with this
lady's grip"
But have only got half minute
before my train will start"
Cant help it, sir; can't do two
things at once, sir. Get one of those
other fellows, sir"
ONE CASE OF NECESSITY.
| was desperate. That train / had
TO catch. I was under engagement to
attend divine service the following
morning at the leading church in South
Wales and was to be the guest of the
minister; that trunk must have for it
contained the only respectable suit Of
clothes l had to my name Heroic
measures must be adopted. / spied
boy standing near. He was my only
salvation. Running up to him like one
who has lost his reason, l shouted in
accents loud aud clear:
DO you want to make quarter?'
He looked at me with establishment
and said in an alarmed voice;
II beg your pardon. sir"
DO you want 10 earn a quarter?
Come, help me with my trunk.
Earn a what, sir2"
sixpence- shilling"
ANOTHER DILEMMA.
The bell was ringing and the guard
was waving his flag as we rushed up to
tLe luggage van and threw in my
trunk. The baggageman looked at it
for minute and then said:
Where for. sir?"
"For Swansea, shouted.
You will have to get it labelled,
cir" he replied.
| showed a shilling into the hard OF
the urchin who had so nobly CONS to
my rescue in carrying my trunk and
told him to run and get mo label. He
returned in few seconds with that
very essential article and after handing
it to the baggageman l jumped into
the railway carriage as the shrill
whistle Of the locomotive sounded and
the train started out, / was all pers.
paration and my nerves were strung to
their utmost tension. l glanced around
TO see what kind of place | had got
into, and found that was shut up in
little compartment. four by six, and
had for my companions in misery nine
other unfortunate victims. two of
whom claimed ALLEGIANCE to the Stars
and Stripes.
We sat facing each other, five on a
seat l mustered up courage enough
to ask one OF the gentlemen how long
it would take to run to Swansea, and
thought that both my heart and back
would break when he replied:
Eight hours"
| was sure would die before
reached my destination, and was won
dering what the verdict Of the coro-
ner's jury would be as to the cause OF
death. Making the best, however, of
what considered up to this time to be
very bad bargain, drew forth good
cigar and resolved to make myself as
comfortable as surroundings would
permit. The thought of being
cramped up In that compartment for
eight long hours was indeed anything
but pleasant, and had it not been for
the magnificent scenery through which
we passed-the ragged hills, beautiful
valleys and streams, the meadows aud
hedges, all Of which served to draw
my mind from my uncomfortable posi-
tion-it is hard to tell what rash deed
might have been tempted to commit.
FIRST GLIMPSE OF SWANSEA.
When / reached Swansea it was
dark and raining hard. Being Satur-
day. there were thousands out doing
their shopping for Sunday, the ma
jority OF whom were walking in the
middle Of the street. Street lamps
were conspicuous by their absence.
Sidewalks that were about the width
Of our curb stones could DO seen but
were not used. They were evidently
more for adornment than for use. As
trudged along in the wet and dirt
was the most discontented individual it
10 possible for you to imagine. and my
first impressions Of Wales, can assure
you. were anything but charming. A
good dose Of Welsh hospitality.a splsp-
. did supper and most excellent bed
completely changed my mind.