Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-01-31
How They Caught 1t.


an experience with two English tourists
that was out of the ordinary. wasin
a large western city in charge of the
business of transcontinental railroad
which ran two special trains week to
the Pacific coast. OneafternooD was
about to close my desk and so home
when the local ticket agent came into
my office with two young men. 1t was
not necessary to look at them twice
to understand that they were English
men. They were the typical tall, big
boned, blonde haired men whom one
recognizes Immediately as being Eng
lish. They were dressed in ultra Eng
lish style and carried themselves with
the self confidence and independence Of
men who thoroughly believe In them
selves and are utterly indifferent to
the estimate placed upon them by
others. l call them men, though they
could not have been over lSor l9years
old. The agent told me that they
wished to see me about a matter OF
business. | assured them that was
at their disposal and waited, wonder
ing what they could want Of me. The
taller of the two acted as spokesman.
we want to get to San Francisco
he said, in time to connect with the
next steamer for Japan
81 am very sorry, | replied, but
our special train which connects with
the next steamer passed through here
two hours ago.
They looked serious at this, but did
not seem overcome
al suppose, said the tall one, that
the next regular train will be too late
to cORpeet with the steamer.
"'oh, yes, said |, you would be de-
laved about week in San Francisco !
"'Oh, that will never dol he re-
Piled. We must catch that steamer.
You will have to make some arrange
ment by which we can overtake this
special train.
"I was paralyzed by the cool assur'
ance with which he suggested this
The train he wished to overtake was
known as the Golden Gate special and
was a record breaker. 1t was one of
the fastest trains on our road, and we
were proud of the time 1t made yet
here were a couple Of youngsters who
wanted to know whether they could
not arrange to catch it with the same
calmness that they might have asked
for a cup of coffee. ! smiled on them
pityingly.
Don't you know, said !, that this
is an exceptionally fast train, and that
it is almost impossible to beat 1T?
Why, even if it were possible to do
what you asked, the expense would
put it out of the question.
"They listened calmly and without
change of expression. Then the one
who had spoken before said
"'Yes, | know all about that, but
we have got to catch that boat. We
are attached to the British embassy at
Tokyo and have been travelling Oh a
leave of absence. Our time will be
up the very day that that boat reaches
Japan; we must be there at that time
because we have yepromised to. We bad
to catch the previous boat, but we were
having such good time that we thought
we would chance it and wait over.
Now, nothing can be allowed to inter-
fere with our plans.
"'Well, said, 4 don't see how i
can aid you, sorry as | may be for you.
1.-The Englishman looked at me iu a
bored sort Of way and said
al don't see why there is any need
of arguing about this. We want a
special train to oyertake that special,
and if we can't do it any other way
we will bayeto follow it across the con-
tinent.
"I looked in amazement at these two
clerks-that is what they amounted to
1 suppose, at least what we would con-
slider them in this countryside were
coolIy asking fora special train to cross
the continent. / was not at all con.
vinced that they appreciated the enor-
nity Of their demand. In fact, | fell
more amused than credulous.
81 suppose, l said. you have som'
idea Of what il will cost yOu to DO thisa
90 we are willing % pay whatever
it Is. was the reply 10 drawing tone
est will cost you $500 if we over
take the special at her FIRST stop, SAID
I, $500 if We have to wait for tn
second stop and 81 600 if We go cleal
across. 1t is barely possible that w'
can make connection at the first stop.
"Tbe Englishmqn made no other re
u e. - .kvrof HE hand info hl