Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-22
FIRST DAY.

In the great dome rooted station Of
the Pennsylvania rallroad ut Jersey
City on certain morning in May the
limited train for the west stood await
Ing its lading of passengers.
The long line Of vestibuled drawing
room coaches was resplendent in fresh
paint Us though just out of the cur
shops. The FURNISHED brass work on
gates, hand rails and steps shone like
gold plate, while the white capped and
blue uniformed officials-brakemen
trainhands and negro porters-dignif-
ed 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 ut three minutes before
10, and precisely at the hour the fier
would be off.
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 If his air" was oil
right, the steam giant throbbed and
glowed with pent up energy, md 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 conches, one the
private car Miranda and the other an
ordinary Pullman sleeper and drawing
room coach combined. Since 8 o'clock
relays Of porters and eXpressmen had
been coming alongside heavy laden,
departing empty handed and wiping
their brows. Hundreds Of pounds Of
ice We're slowed away in the long re-
| ceptacles under the cars; hampers,
crates and boxes Of mineral waters,
STRONG waters" and delicacies were
taken aboard and disposed in mysteri-
GUS recesses; from within came the
musical clink Of glasses 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-
ceived and receipted for, the porters
for the Inst time ficked the dust off
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 oil the train men in waiting So
luted with hands to caps.
A good story is told concerning two
poor Irishmen who once upon a time
were debating what sort of an occupa.
ton each would choose IL kind Provi
dence should ever give them the op-
ton. After canvassing the advantages
of the various vocations in life one OF
them closed the discussion by saying:
"Faith, Mike, for nice, clane, aisy
Job let me be a bishop"
This probably summed up to Mikes
imaginative mind oil the sunny side OF
life-wealth, position, authority and
not overmuch work.
But have often thought that fol
pure and unadulteratcd bliss the posi-.
ton Of president of great railroad
left little to be desired. 1t certainly
seemed SO to the onlooker this bright
May morning.
Here was John Draper, president OF
the Pacific and Atlantic railway, sell
made man, multimilllonaire, ole
enough to have eschewed the follies Of
life and yet young enough to enjoy the
benefits the gods send to sane mortals
blessed with health, strength, n good
conscience and a better digestion, al
the moment Of which l write literally
monarch of all he surveyed and about
to take trip of three or four thousand
miles in his personal and private cur
surrounded by charming and con
genial company Of his own choosing
who would bask in the sunshine of his
bounty and give him grateful thanks,
homage and credit for all the pleasure
bestowed
So who would not be railroad pres.
ident, even If the head that carries the
bondholders' woes Is sometimes TN.
easyl
With John Draper came two ladies',
IN elder and much younger one, and,
faithful to the old precept which gives
place to age before beauty, the former
Shall be described first. This was Mrs.
Bradley Hurst, married sister of our
host. Fair and 40 she certainly was,
but not even her bitterest enemy could
have called her fat. A laughing eye, Ii
well rounded and mature form, of me-
dium height, with carriage and man.
ner that denote the thorough mistress
of society and Its forms-this was Mrs.
Bradley Hurst, the chaperon of the
party.
By her side and between the two eld-
-er people walked girl half her nge,
| TIE exect opposite Of what Mrs. Hurst