The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-03-24

travel had begun. There was not sin
gle empty seat in any of the four sleep
ers and ait each stop there were new
demands for berths.
Spirited conversations between the
Wagner conductor and irate passen-
bertls, were frequent, and the last
berth, the upper one in the rear car
reserved for the conductor himself, had
just been given up to a flurried, all
important parsonage who had insisted
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 compartment and the
train boy ceased for a while, his jour
neys through the cars, Offering his
wares of candy gum, books and mag
azines.
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 until
after they had passed the suspension
bridge and the stop at the Falls station
made. Then was the time to offer SOU
venirs of Niagara for sale.
Indeed, Dan knew about how many
Coniac Il mould coll
A few months experience on the
train had given him a pretty. keen in
sight into the habits and desires of
his passengers.
At a glance he could tell who would
and who would not buy of him, and
just what woman needed-a little per-
suasion and pleasant smile to induce
purchase.
In fact, Dams smile was a valuable
part of his stock in trade and he used
1t to advantage, for it was a pleasant
smile-and it 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 on the platform and jumped to
the ground
1t was a relief after the rocking train
Much to his surprise he found the
conductor in earnest conversation with
two women.
"Oh, but you just must take her some
how" he heard the younger of the
women exclaim in a distressed voice.
"YoH see, there ain't any other way
to send her. and her mother expects her
sure, and she'll be at the station to
take her off, and she'll be real good
girl, and won't trouble you one bit,
won't you, Bessie?'
Here she pulled forward a little blue
eyed girl, and the conductors eyes
rested thougihtfully ON her.
Dan drew near-he was interested tc
know what the conductor would do.
lHSy IL pS lllOol CRAZY IL Sic uOL
come" added the other woman. And
it will put them out dreadful, cause
they've got to start right off for Col
orado."
A sharp whistle recalled the con.
ductor, and he put one foot ON the steps
of the car and stood watch in hand
ready to give the signal.
Say, I'll kinder keep an eye on the
Kid if that's all you want" Dan said
awkwardly to the woman. Don't know
much about children, but guess some
of the women will tend to her?" He
gave an inquiring glance at the con-
dudtor.
"All right-Im willing-jump aboart
will you, we're late now" and the con.
ductor waved his hand.
Dan seized the child and placed her
lightly on the platform and the trail
began to move. TIE listened to the part
irg directions of the two women, and
then threw back the silver half dollar
one of them tried to slip into his hand
with toss of his head, as he shouted
81 amt no porter, and I'm doing thi
to oblige you"
Then he held the child tightly a!
she waved her tiny handkerchief till
the station was a mere speck in tn,
distance.
Then he took her in the car and lef;
her to amuse herself with the rolls Of
lozenges, while he made a trip through
the other cars. By the time he had
gat back she had made friends with
lady across the aisle, vino offered tc
share her berth with the child, and
before the afternoon was over, she was
playing games all over the car, and to
Dams intense amusement, she insisted
on eating supper with the man who
had made the greatest fuss over his
berth, but who, Bessie insisted, Look
ed just like GRANDPA"
So Dan only kept a general oversight
of the child and finally, when she dis
appeared behind the heavy curtains of
the berth, with childish "godd nightie
everybody" that in cluded the whole
car, he went tack to the day coach
and curled up on a hard seat to sleep.
He slept soundly. for the day had
been tiresome one, but after while
he began to dream. He thought that
Bessie had chewed gum until she grew
smaller and smaller and finally was
nothing but one Of the prizes in the
bags Of pop corn, little sugar image
which he was about to eat when
Crash!
Dan was awake now. In an instant
he was rushing toward the sleeper
Something dreadful had happened! The
train shook and shivered and swayed.
There was a second crash, and tear
ing so1nd. and the end of the car was
torn off. and cloud Of steam rushed
in and about him.