The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1894-11-14
THE OLD DRUMMER TALKS.
A Trade Missionary Disc0urses OF
Railroads.

lie was vencrabe-appearing old fell
low, quite clerical in bis outward SEEM
ing, and as he sat in the seat directly in
front of me l somehow thought him out
of place in the free. and-easy atmosphere
of the smoking car. was disillusioned,
however, when he returned from a visit
to the watcr-cooler, at the rear Of the car,
with an unmistakable aroma of old rye
hanging to HE pstriarchal beard, and E
very fat and very black cigar which he
proceeded to put into service, still further
overcame the impression naturally pro-
duced by his decorous broadcloth, his
snowy "choker," and his eminently re-
spectacle silk hat. The train was smooth
y skmming down the beautiful Schuyl-
kill Valley--it was on the Reading Rail-
road, by the way-bound for Pbilade-
pha. As we entered the big, taree-sided
train shed 10 the city of Reading, my
aud cloud of cigar smoke, to peer
eagerly through the windows on either
side. Then be looked at his watch, way
ged his old head in satisfied sort of way,
and, turning to me, remarked:
'On time, and all the connections in y
There were four trains, besides our own,
on as many different tracks, just arrived
from as many branch roads.
toll xyou ha oOntinnod ttIhara 10
solid comfort and soul-soothing enjoyment
in travelling on road like this. have
spent many years going up and down the
earth, like the landlord of certain very
hot weather resort, seeking whom l may
commercially devour for the house which
represent. Each week | ride many
miles on many railroads, and you may
believe me when | assure you that there
Is one feature about the Reading which
is absolutely unique. speak OF the re-
markable precision and punctuality with
which all connections are made between
the main stem of the road and its branch
es. Between Philadelphia and Williams
port no less than twenty three branch
roads dlverge from or cross the main line.
Some of these branches connect In turn
with other branches. NV, what elicits
the admiration of an old traveller Is the
fact that the trains OF these connecting
roads reach the junction points with such
beautiful regularity that the main line
trains are very, very rarely held up u
single minute waiting their arrival This
demonstrates fine management and just
think of the profanity il savcsl q i IL
match
The question was addressed to n brake
man passing through the car, for the old
gentleman had "talked out his cigar.
After search of his pockets the brake
man confessed that he had not the desired
lucler, but volunteered 10 obtain one
which he did. Now, there's another
little thing. my neighbor went ON; "and
life is made up of little things-thc un
common politeness and disposition TO he
obliging that is everywhere manifest
among the trainmen and station people
on the Reading. They are not all Ches-
! tefiieids, nut tucy ar~ grutivneu IN -.As
true sense of the word, and this, venture
10 say, has no little 10 do with the Read
inp's popularity. Why, the insolence OF
office displayed by the blue-and-b brass
employees on some lines"
"Readin9 Terminal, Philadelphia u
cried the brakeman.