Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-08-30
THE QUIET MAN TRAVELS.
Written for THE TIMES. I

The quiet man had seated himself il
the White Mountain express. Worr
out from business cares, he had, the
week before, gone to the sea shore fol
rest. He was just from there now, fol
his serious look and strict attention t,
his own affairs had caused the gossips
of the hotel to announce that he was
a clergyman. He fled the spot when
convinced that he was to be asked tC
preach on the following Sunday. Or
board the train he hoped for a few hours
| of rest at least, but no, an old acquaint
ance, the politician, caught sight O
him and his case was lost. The poll
| tician was agreeable and was bubbline
over with talk upon the general condi
, ton of affairs, the political outlook
effects of the drought upon crops, anG
every nameable thing under the sur
that came into his mind. The quiet
man knew full well that there had
been tariff fight in congress for the
last II months; he was perfectly famil
lar with its relation to business /; he had
more or less of an idea of the political
situation knew of the drought; want
ed to be let alone, and wondered why
he should be thus afflicted. Half the
journey ended and the brakeman an.
nounced Is minutes for dinner. Here
the politician was out of the train and
perched upon stool drinking hot cof.
fee before the quiet man realized that
in order to get anything whatever to
eat he would have to do some undigni-
fed hustling. AS matter of fact he
patiently waited for a glass of milk,
and returned to his train in season to
find every seat filled. True, there was
baby fast asleep, occupying a seat
which had not been paid for; two
young girls used another for banj JOS and
various trappings all other seats occu-
pied by one person were stacked with
baggage. The quiet man reflected upon
the modest ways of travellers, passed on
and into the parlor car, paid for a last
and very poor chairin the smokers end
and tried to feel comfortable. Indeed
he was comfortable until literally
smoked out, and forced to return to an
ordinary car and humbly beg for the
removal of baggage from the seat of a
solemn looking individual who reluc-
family granted the request. At last the
train reached the Mountain region.
One after another of his fellow travel
ers got off; there was plenty of room
in the car the air was better, the seem
cry grand and interesting, and feel
ing of relief came to tired mortal.
For little he was almost happy. The
journey over, the great hotel reached,
the room clerk interviewed, alas a cot
in a parior was the best and only thing
for the night. He thought often of his
comfortable home, while waiting for
the card party to break up that he
might claim his room. At last the
players adjourned. The tired man got
his bed, and the late occupants Of the
parlor piano in the music room near
by. He tried his best to go to sleep to
the tune of Marching through Geor-
giao and various classics from college
Songs" 1t was no earthly use and
again there came reflections upon the
thoughtfulness of all mankind, and
summer boarders in particular. Scarce
ly had he closed his eyes in sleep when
the chamber girls began their morn
ing's sweeping. Now and thena whack
against the woodwork with carpet
sweeper Jared his nerves. The porter
disturbed him by brushing off the
piazza. He arose, hastily dressed, got
an early breakfast and took the first
train for home and business. Like tar
if reformers he went upon an uncer-
tain trip. The result was unsatisfac-
tory of course, but the experiment add
ed something to his stock of general
information.