The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-06-22
A RAILWAY KNIGHT.
The Story of q Train Boys
Bravery.


The Chicago special bore an unusual
ly heavy load that day.
Vacation was over and homeward
travel had begun. There was not
single empty seat in any OF the four
sleepers, and at each stop there were
new demands for berths.
Spirited conversations between the
Wagner conductor and irate passen-
gers who had failed to bespeak their
berths were frequent, and the last
berth, the upper one in the rear car,
reserved for the conductor himself,
had just been given up to fiurried,
all important parsonage who had In
sisted on his right to whole section.
So now things began to quiet down.
The passengers unbent from their dig
nifty and began to compare vacation
notes: the men betook themselves to
the smoking department, and the
train boy ceased for awhile his jour
news through the cars, offering his
wares of candy, gum, books and maya
zines.
Trade this side of Niagara didn't
amount to much. He had learned that
by experience. :,
At first magazines sold pretty we'll
but the real demand did not come till
after they had passed Suspension
Bridge and the stop at Falls View sta
ton was made. Then was the time to
offer souvenirs of Niagara for sale.
Indeed Dan knew about how many
copies he would sell.
A few months experience on the
train had given him pretty keen in
sight into the habits and desires OF the
passengers.
Al a glance he could tell who would
and who would not buy OF him, and
inst what women needed little per-
suasion and pleasant smile-to in
duce purchase.
In fact Dams smile was valuable
part of his stock in trade, and he used
it to advantage, for it was pleasant
smile-and 1t made the round, freckled
face very winning.
He was sorting over his books now
preparatory to one more trip through
the cars, before Offering peanuts and
CANDY again, when the train drew up
at a dingy, dilapidated station. They
were stopping for water he knew, and
he went to the platform and jumped
to the ground.
1t was relief after the rocking
train.
Much 20 his surprise he found the
conductor in earnest conversation with
two women.
"Oh, but you must take her some
how" he heard the younger OF the
women exclaim in a distressed voice.
"You see there amt any other way
To send her, and her mother expects
her sure, and she'll be at the station t.
take her off, and she'll be real goot
girl and not trouble you bit. won
you. Bessie?'
Here she pulled forward little blue
eyed girl and the conductors eye
rested thoughtfully on her.
Dan drew near-he was interested :
know what the conductor would do.
They'll be most crazy If she don
come. added the other woman. AN
II will put them out dreadfully 'cans
they've got to start right of for Coit
RADIO"
A sharp whistle recalled the condu'
tor. and he put one foot on the steps {
the car and stood, watch in hand, read
to give the signal. ).
"Sav. I'll kinder keep an eye on tn
Mid. Il that's all you want" Dan salt
awkwardly, to the women. Don
know much bout children, but CUES
.ome of the women win tend to her.
He gave an inquiring glance at the col
ductor.
"Allright-I'm willing-jump aboar'
will you, we're late now, ana the Coz
ductor waved his hand.
Dan seized the child and placed NJ
tightly on the platform, and the tral
beran TO move. He listened to the par
inc directions of the two women, ar
threw back the silver half dollar OF
~ them tried to slip into his han
with a toss of his head, as he shoute
az Amt no porter, and I'm ADDING tn
to 'bisge you.
she waved her tiny handkerchief :,
the station was mere speck IN u
distance.
Then he took her into the car u
left her to amuse herself with the TO-
Of lozenges while he made II
through the other cars. BY the III
he got back she had made friends WI
! lady across the aisle, who offered
share her berth with the child, and
fore the afternoon was over she "
playing games all over the car, ana
Dams intense amusement she insis.
on eating supper with the man "
had made the greatest fuss over
berth. but who. Bessie insisted, look
.sjust like grandpa
So Dan kept only a general oversig
az the child, and finally when she 2
appeared behind the heavy curtains