The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-04-03
SLOW TRAIN SERVICE.

SLOW TRAIN SERVICE.
Talss Of Commercial Travellers Describing
Incidents Of Railway Journeys.
A group of commercial travellers
in . hotel were discussing the slow
train service of certain road. Said
one Of the party: -
The last time I went over that
road I noticed a man at one Of the
stations raise his hat and stand un.
covered. This interested me- and
stepping off the cars ! asked him
what he was doing. 10 told me il
was tho custom in New Orleans, from
which city he came, to salute q fu.
neral procession, and he had taken
the train for a funeral cortege. Aft.
or explaining to the man his mistake
] ran down the track, overlook the
train and eventually reached my
destination"
After another round of refresh.
ments q second member of the party
said:
II know that story Is. true. Un.
fortunately the road can't help the
slow train service. It tried to cor.
rect tt once, but failed. Il was this
way: Walter Hurley of New York,
who represented Porter Bros. a few
years ago, was in that section Of
country, and some one made him
present of fine dog. Hurley was
going on to New Orleans aad want.
ed to take :!:e dog with him to give
it to woman there.
"The train conductor would not
let him take the dog In . passenger
car. and he would not let 1t 60 in tho
baggage car.
Fitch it on behind the train,'
said Hurley. The trains no good.
The dog could run beside ii, but for
fear that something might attract
its attention you might as we'll fas.
ten it to the last car.
This rather hurt the conductors
feelings, and he remarked that there
wouldn't be much dog left when tho
train reached New Orleans, Hurley
insisted, however, SO the dog was
tied to the last car, and the train
started.
THE conductor had given the tip
to the engineer, who determined to
strangle the dog and in this manner
get even with the passenger for his
criticism of tho train. So no did not
pay much attention to his schedule
or spare his speed. About half an
hour or 50 after starting the con-
ductor passed through the train.
Wen, how's that dog2' he said,
with a malicious smile when he
reached Hurley. oh, all right, I
imagine replied Hurley, glancing
up from his book. -.
The two then vailed to the rear
Of the train. and there, sure enough,
was the dog, the string loose, trot-
ting along behind like a coach dog
following a butchers wagon. Hur-
ley smiled, and the conductor looked
dazed.
Tho train leaped forward q few
moments later. It was a surprise to
everybody on the road. It really
went fast-thatis. as compared with
the schedule. The cars rocked, and
the locomotive sent forth clouds of
SCOT and smoke, showing that the
fire was blazing, and the speed was
at the extreme limit.
How is your dog now?' asked
tho conductor Of Hurley little lat
er. I don't know replied Hurley.
Let's go and sea. Together they
passed to the rear Of the last car.
The cord hung loose. The dog was
not there.
~ told you 80, remarked the
conductor jubilantly. 4 know the
dog couldn't keep up with the train.
Don't be too sure of that, an
swered Hurley. Maybe he's gone
on ahead.
"And so no had. When the train
reached New Orleans, there sat the
dog on the platform. The train had
been too slow for him. Hehad gnaw.
cd the rope and run on before to
await his masters arrival. New
York Herald. y