Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-11-02

The Danger os Talking Too Freely
to Strangers shown Here.

The Danger os Talking Too Freely
to Strangers shown Here.
A Baltimore young woman who has
recently returned from "A western trip
tells an amusing experiment that bcfell
her on the sleeping car between Cum
berland and Washington.
At the former place young man
who had boarded the train some time
during the night asked her IL she was
familiar with the country and IL she
were whether she would be kind
enough to tell him I'm what state they
then were, the name of the river along
the banks of which they Were running,
also that of the canal, the termini of
the latter, the number of boats that an
nually passed over II, the amount OF
coal they carried, and soon al libitum.
Now, the young woman is patient
soul, and though she felt like saying
that she was not a Cooks guide and
had never personally conducted any
one in her life the seeker after knowl-
edge was so meek and so polite that
she put down her book and gave him
what information she could on the va
rious subjects. His thirst for informa-
ton was never satisfied, however, and
all during the trip he was putting ques-
lions to her that could only interest an
inquisitive lawyer, for that, he said,
was his profession.
The young woman was bored to OK
tinction and was as cool as possible up-
til her companion launched out i'm IT,
rade against man who stands high in
official circles in Washington, when she
grew suddenly trifie more approach
able. The young man warmed into en-
thusiasm under the spell of her atten-
tiveness. He called the official a thief
and traitor and various other epithets
of like character.
The only thing he dida't call him was
murderer, and he probably would
have added that 20 the list. encouraged
by the young woman's smile. except
that ut this moment n railroad en-
ployee appeared to take orders for bag
gage TO be delivered I'm Washington.
The young woman said she was going
to stop over and that she had trunk
she wanted sent up by the railroad peo-
pic, and Us she gave the exprcssman
her check she said. ''Send It TO n street.
n. w, Mr.. Blanks"
Now, this is not the right address at
all, but that doesn't make any differ
ence, for the name she gave was the
name OF the high UP official whom her
whilom companion had called names
When she looked at that individual
next. his lower Jaw had dropped. and
he was the picture of embarrassment.
You might have told me was talk
ing about your father" be muttered
hoarsely. How could know didn't
really mean what said. anyhow. Ev,
cry one knows he's a very polished gen.
tleman."
But the girl only smiled grimly. HE
has many enemies, like you" she said,
and then she took no more notice of
her AFFECT companion. though he wink
cd all the way up TO the gate with her.
The funny part OF the Incident is,
however. that the young woman wasn't
the high up officials daughter mt all.
nor has she ever met him. She was
simply going to visit the family OF
cousin OF his Of the same name I'm au-
other part OF the city entirely. But she
feels that she was justified In teaching
the man lesson In talking about
prominent men to strangers that VIII
DC or benefit to him and TINT he'll ncy-
or forgct.-Baltlmore New.