The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-20
TYPES OF TRAVELLERS.
Some Observations of Human Nature In a
Sleeping Car.

Some Observations of Human Nature In
Sleeping Car.
Especial Correspondence
CHICAGO, April 1 6.-Human nature
is seen in all its naturalness on a rail
road car, especially if you are travel
ing by the long haul. People are sell
dom natural elsewhere, but on the rail-
road they seem to throw off all reserve
and become as disagreeable as possible
AS near to nature as were our remote
ancestors. On any train, or in any coach
that you may select, you will find just
about the same class of people-they
are also travelling. First of all, there is
the fat man, who invariably has crook
ed legs, always smoking, regardless of
the rules, and is too lazy or contrary to
go into the smoking car. He has a low
or berth and makes foot cushion of
the opposite seat. One would think that
he is too indolent to be disagreeable
He is, when not travelling. In the morn
ing he plants himself in front Of one of
the wash basins in the lavatory, extends
his sharp elbows SO as to cover the 9TH
er two and keep other people away. He
puffs, blows and snorts while perform
ing his morning additions, as if it were
novel to him. Those who have been
crowded away make remarks which
sounds something like ''hog." Then up
comes drummer, with his suspenders
dragging on the floor, his sleeves rolled
back. and his shirt front negligee, as
If he intended to get into the basin and
take a bath. He places his brushes,
combs and a flask of whisky upon the
slab, and as soon as the fat man wab-
bles out the drummer takes possession.
But, as he is not corporeally large
enough to monopoliZe the other basins
some of the other passengers have a
chance, or would, did not the usual
woman with patent smile and pen
chant for intruding put in an appear
ance. Instead Of remaining at the lava
tory provided for her sex and taking
her turn as d lady would, she presumes
upon her sex and goes deliberately to
that place provided for the men. She
knows that the majority of men do not
know the difference between imposition
and courtesy, and thus proves that she
is unworthy of the latter
These types Of travellers are found on
every train and in every sleeper. One is
as numerous as the other. Perhaps they
believe it is necessary to be disagreed
BILE while travelling. But what excuse
or palliation can be offered for the
woman who always wants a clover
sleeper?' Every traveller has met her
very often. The first thing she does aft
er entering a coach. and throwing her
bundles On some one else's seat is to
look around and survey the situation.
If she sees a man occupying a lower
berth, she is miserable, even if she her.
self has one. But if she has not one
that mans doom is settled. Neither
conductor, porter nor the man himself
would have peace until she got that
sleeper. I never had lower sleeper
but onoe-at least that I was able to
keep after the train pulled out-and it
was with some hesitancy that I accept
ed a lower ticket on a second occasion,
although the kind agent assured me
that the coach was not likely to be
overcrowded. / noticed a lone woman
in the opposite lower looking around
as if she had lost something. Finally
the porter came to me with: ''Boss, /
doan' like to discomfort you, but dat ar
Teddy would like ter hev dis yer berth.
Oh. yes. sab, she hab one-jest oppo-
site-but she defers to hab dis one, be-
levin dat you would obleege leddy.''
J. NJ. SCANLAND.