The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-02-28
FOOLED HIS FELLOW TRAVELLERS.
The Jolly Man in the Smoker Shows His
Power as a Masher.

We were rafting along between Bal
timore and Washington at sixty
miles-an-hour gait, with a sprinkling of
ladies and congressman and political
heelers and sporting gentlemen and
other odds and ends of everyday life
through the parlor car, from New York.
In the smoking compartment, says a
writer in the n Y. Herald. | had been
indulging in my last cigar and listening
to the usual tales of traveller" the
principal story teller being robust,
red-faced gentleman of middle age.
with merry blue eyes and tendency to
wink. He entertained us immensely
modestly at first, then in the last forty
miles fairly monopolizing the converse
ton. The smoking-room was packed
with amused listeners and the doorway
blocked by those who couldn't sit down.
Yes" said the story teller musingly,
when the laugh had gone around over
his last yarn, they have some ALFRED
pretty women in Washington. Now, l
saw one sitting back in our car there
a little woman with BIG brown eyes
all alone, probably on her way to Wash
ington with claim or something
tiCe her?"
Three of us said we had and the two
men at the door sauntered back to yer-
ify the description. For myself, l re-
membered the bright eyes, modest dress
and demure expression of the little
woman who had been sitting alone all
the way almost opposite my chair. She
had appeared TO be immersed in an in
teresting story when she was not nod
ding or looking at the dancing lights
without as the train rushed by.
We'll, gentlemen" continued the
merry-maker, that is just the sort Of
woman to suit me-peachy cheeks.
brown eyes, red lips and nice teeth. 1
must make her smile ii only TO give her
a chance to show those teeth must,
indeed"
He arose from his place and fecked
the cigar ashes from his clothes u a
business-like way, while we roared with
laughter To our establishment he inn
mediately passed out into the narrow
hall and straight back to the other end
of the car, where the lady sat with her
back to us. A murmur of disapproval
went round, but it was half expected he
would not perseyere in his inpertinent
intention. | hastily slipped into my
seat.
"Oh, beg your pardon" said he to
the lady somewhat abruptly. You're
rather pretty woman to be travelling
alone, excuse me for speaking TO you in
this way, but l would really like to
make your acquaintance. Going to
Washington, presume? So am l."
The lady looked up sharply at first,
then blushed rosy hue-a blush, how
ever. quickly chased away by charm
inc smile. The teeth were perfect and
the merry gentleman turned around as
if to call us to witness. With others |
felt hot at the impotence of the man
and one of the party rushed out to call
the conductor. Still, as the lady smiled
and exhibited great presence OF mind,
there didn't really seem to be any i'm
mediate occasion for interference.
Whats your Nance" inquired the
merry gentleman; maybe | can be of
assistance to you. There's my card.
Yours truIy-always ready to help
lovely woman in distress. The - is
good hotel, All! going there? SO
am l."
Up to this time the lady hadn't said a
word, simply alternating between
bushes and smiles, while everybody else
in the car looked daggers and pistols.
But she got an opening here, and
catching hold of the merry gentleman
coat said, with good-natured petu-
lance:
Now, do stop. John. Ii you don't
quit this fooling I'll never travel with
you again. Sit down! You've left me
here all alone from the moment we set
foot on the car, and now you're making
game of me. What do you suppose"
She looked around laughingly, but we
men were all sneaking off to the smoker,
while the remaining women were IN
commissions of mirth.