Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-09-11
THE START.

In the great dome rooted station OF
the Pennsylvania railroad At Jersey
City on certain morning In May the
limited train for the west stood await.
Ing its lading OF passengers.
The long line Of vestibulcd drawing
room coaches was resplendent In fresh
paint as though just out OF the car
shops. The FURNISHED brass work on
gates. hand rails and steps shone like
gold plate. while the white capped and
blue uniformed ofiicials-brakemen.
trainhands and negro porters-dignif-
cd and self important yet gravely
courteous withal. stood ready to vel
come. direct or assist the fast arriving
passengers The conductor waited.
watch In hand. for the great station
clock pointed at three minutes before
10. and precisely at the hour the fiier
would be OF.
The last train boat was In. and the
inevitable late traveller was even now
struggling down the asphalt platform.
The great engine backed down and
was coupled on. the engineer tested
the brakes TO see II his ''air" was all
right. the steam giant throbbed and
glowed with pent up energy. and the
runner" as the engineer Is called In
railway parlance. leaned out Of his
cab on the alert for the electric cry
"All aboard
At the other side Of the station an
equally interesting scene was taking
place. On one Of the side tracks stood
two richly appointed coaches. one the
private car Miranda and the other an
ordinary Pullman sleeper and drawing
room coach combined. Since 3 o'clock
relays Of porters and expressmen. had
been coming alongside heavy laden.
departing empty handed and wipins
their brows. Hundreds Of pounds OF
ice were slowed away In the long -
ceptacles under the cars; hampers,
crates and boxes Of mineral waters.
strong waters" and delicacies were
taken aboard and disposed IN mysteri-
ous recesses: from within came the
musical cllnk Of giasses and crockery.
while the white jacketed chef could be
seen fitting about In his tiny kitchen
and buffet putting matters TO rights.
The last load Of relishes was re.
eeived and receipted for. the porters
for the last time ficked the dust on
the richly upholstered interior. when
the first Of those for whom these elab-
crate preparations were made came
strolling down the platform. at whose
arrival all the train men In waiting a.
luted with hands to caps.
A good story Is told concerning two
poor Irishmen who once upon . time
were debating what sort Of an occupa-
tion each would choose II kind Proyi.
dence should ever give them the OPP
tion. After canvassing the advantages
Of the various vocations in life one OF
them closed the discussion BY saying:
Faith. Mike. for q nice. clane. aisy
Job let me be bishops?
This probably summed up to Mixes
imaginative mind all the sunny side Of
life wealth. position. authority and
not oyermuch work.
But I have often thopght that for
pure and unadulterated bliss the posi-
ton Of president Of . great railroad
left little TO be desired. Ii certainly
seemed so to the oplooker this bright
May morning.
Here was John Draper, president oi
the Pacific and Atlantic railway, q sell
made man. q multimillionaire, old
enough to have eschewed the follies oi
life and yet young enough to enjoy thu
benefits the gods send to sane mortais
| blessed with health. strength. q goot
| conscience and better digestion. q
the moment of which write literally
monarch Of all he surveyed and abou
| TO take a trip of three or four thousant
miles in his personal and private car
surrounded by q charming and con
genial company Of his own choosing
who would bask In the sunshine Of hi'
bounty and give him grateful thanks
] homage and credit for al the pleasur'
bestowed!
So who would not be . railroad pres
/ ident. even II the head that carries tn
bondholders' woes b sometimes IN
easy!
with John Draper came two ladies
IN elder and q much younger one, and
faithful to the old precept which give
place to age before beauty. ths farms
shan b described 1rse This vas Nh