The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-05
A GHOST COMMUTER.


violently against the car windows, and
what with its melancholy bowling, ac-
campaigning the incessant rattle OF the
panes, / could hardly hear the shrieks
of the locomotives whistle as the train
plunged through the dense darkness. 1t
was hard night to travel, and L dld
not wonder that the car was empty save
for the man who had just seated himself
beside me. Such being the case, how
ever. | could not but feel surprised that
this single other passenger should nave
crowded into my seat when he might
have had whole one to himself. can
not say that / was indignant, for though
he forced me 10 move toward the drafty
window he was company, and had felt
lonely from the very beginning OF the
forlorn trip ON the midnight express
Then. too, he was such mild, harm
less looking fellow.
| glanced toward him, intending TO
open the conversation, when my eye fell
upon the time table in which he was
deeply engrossed. Ii was thumb worn
niece of paper, and no wonder, for
across the top read i'll big black type
ITO go into effect ON April l, 1884. .
II seemed strange that man should
| consult a train schedule III years old
| Nv curiosity was aroused, and drew
nv own time table from my pocket ano
held it toward him.
Pardon me, sir, but perhaps TIM
/ 10
you going?"
"Thank you," he replied sadly, "bu
Won cannot help me. l would that yo'
could. though. You see, am bound 10
rutherford, but it seems that / VII
never get there.
| rutherford" / exclaimed. why
YOU are on the wrong trainW
knew this place well as one OF IN
prettiest little suburban villages ON TN
| line of the New York, Lackahudson an
Western. but ! also was aware that tn
train never stopped there and that
had long since passed 1t.
THAT is Just the devil Of it, replie
my companion vigorously. A melal
choly smile passed over his pale fac
and then he added I've been gettii
ON the wrong train for ii years. Is
excuse me, sir, you are sitting ON II
, beefsteak.
Curiosity now gave place to astonls
ment. NV first impulse was to belize
that had a mailman for companlo
hut his every look belied such an ide
Every detail Of his clothing denoted e
/ Il
!, a small, slender man, with slight
, bald head and clean shaven face.
his feet were two large, neatly done
bundles: at his side and partly una
me was third parcel, wrapped
brown paper, which l had no reason
believe contained meat.
"A thousand pardons, | said, risl
8 SO that he could rescue his steak ire
: destruction. Il am afraid that ha
y ruined it, was not aware that
s sitting on anything.
~ Little wonder, he replied quiet
/. mo human being could feel that stes
And as for injuring it, l purchased
II wears ago and have been trying
Get il home TO rutherford ever sin
le To make things plain, that is PM
lie tom beefsteak.
IT broke out into hearty laugh
n exclaimed. "You are either consldera
of a waQ. sir, or else an idiot
Nv fellow traveller drew himself
and cried hotly: do You know WI
to YOU are addressing? l am the late
10 G. Jones, sir, for many years lead
OF citizen Of rutherford ="
IN 1.-The late r. G.. Jones Of Tutf
fordp' / retorted, and then l made
motion To give him little lovial dis
=. the ribs. but to my horror my hi
~ went right through him and struck
arm of the seat ON his other side.
WI smiled. | drew back in amazement
ur Twill not attempt To depict my
sations. Wonder gave way 10 utter
IN, touishment, establishment 10 nor
CT horror to fright But this last emo'
nd nassed. for | knew that there was
escape. | could not leave the car,
lat then the very appearance OF the .
ng was so peaceable and respectable TN
nat sense of security came to me. Re;
as prevailed, and / soon found myself I
cling ON the best oi VciinS WIZ"
al. strange companion.
oes Il see you travel ON a pass,
oes Dockboy," said the late X. G. j
hat after our relationship had assum
ne state Of mutual confidence. "Ih
= why | made myself known to yot
suppose you have pull ON TINS ro'
SUI INV fourth cousin is the wife OF
e sns prcsident of the New York, Lacka
I'm I'm SON and Western, replied prot
y for | was not little vain about
relationship.
That is good news for me- b
the late II. G.. Jones. You see'
pre- Dockbuy. l have long needed a II
amt with some influence on the road,
want To have this train stopped at i
mt a crford just once.
ON What" ] cried
n 10 eyes, stopped mt RUTHERFORD
'ius, continued IL do not wonder at
' surprise, but then you will not be
astonished when you know my rea
have told you my late name, and
the hans il will interest you to hear ths
many wears was an alderman in
ven. erforl--a place Of no mean import
me NV business was in New York. J
,n'u' morning for ten years l LETT my
III" promptly at SEQ. reached the staff