The Topeka state journal., 1902-10-18
Leading Lady in Day Coach

(From the Chicago Record-Herald.)
(Scene, the interior of a railroad day
coach crowded with travellers Of the
middle class; only two unoccupied seats,
and these are Uttered with luggage; one
is beside a. coal begrimmed laborer, the
other is beside a well groOmed, hand
empty seats face backward. As the
train starts, enter fashinably dressed
woman, very handsome, very aristo-
cratic accompanied by French maid,
who carries her dOg.)
Lady with a despairing look)-Fifine,
sit here with Clovis Indicating seat be-
side the unwashed laborer)- l suppose
must ride backward. CThe handsome
man has already risen from his seat
puts the parcels in the wall rack and
turns over the cushioned back of the
seat).
Man-Not at all, Miss Claverhouse
Have this seat by the window. There.
Gle lifts sash, adjusts shade and makes
her comfortable. Enter brakeman, who
grabs Clovis from the maid)-
Brakeman-Dogs not allowed in pas
senger cars. miss. He's extra baggage.
Twenty-Five cents, please.
Lady with a little screaml-Don't
touch him, you rowdy! If my Clovis
can't ride in this train we1l get off.
Come, Fifine.
Man-Don't do that Miss Claverhouse.
I'll put your dog in the baggage car.
He'll be perfectly safe there. (Takes
dog and follows the brakeman from the
car.)
Lady-Thank the Lord there's one
gentleman on the train. (Withering look
at the German emigrant across the aisle.
Re-enter MANI
Man docking a trif1e abashed as he
sits beside Miss Claverhouse)-There
now, hope Clovis is off your mind.
put him snugly into clean basket in
the baggage car.
Lady-you are so kind, mister with
an apologetic and coquettish look into
his calm face). Mister-do you know
I've forgotten your name? But you'll
pardon me, l know. We actresses meet
so many perfectly lovely people,. Come,
sir Ishaking "a jeweled finger saucily at
HIND, what is your name? Where did
we meet?
Man-Hugh Grosvenor (not whit
fattered by her coauetryJ, forget
where we first met. L travel a great
deal. too, you know.
Miss Claverhouse puzzled and piqued)
We'll, Mr.. Grosyenor. wherever it was
it was a lucky meeting for me.
GroSvenor-Thank you.
Miss CT hate vulgar people, and
these day coaches are always full of
Mr. G.-What do you mean by ''vul-
gar?
Miss Cob, common people-working
people.
Mr.. G.-Dont you work? I do.
Miss Cob. I don't mean in that
sense. You're not hired man. and
anyone could tell at first glance that
you are IA
Mr.. G.-What?
Miss CA gentleman, of course. If
had never met you before I'd have
known that.
Mr. G.-Just as easy as it was for me
to know that you are not a gentleman
with the hint of a quiet smile)-
Miss C.-I think you might have
turned a smarter line out of that
chance (she moues teasingly at hima.
Mr. G.-YOu mean 1 might have
turned a compliment? Said, for in
stance, that ladyship is written all over
you?
Miss Cob, you're too late.
| (There is an interval of silence, during
which she frowns as though puzzled and
annoyed. Then)
Miss C.-But, just the same, 1 despise
common people, laborers, and all such
vulgarians; you can call them what
you please. Look at that awful looking
woman over there with her shoe off and
her back hair all down. She shouldn't
be permitted to ride in cars with-well.
with ladies.
Mr. G.-Pardon me, Miss Claverhouse.
but I think your remarks about that
POOR woman are both silly and unkind.
She is devoted to her husband and al
most slave to her five young chill
drcn.
Miss CA sure sign of vulgarity
MIR. (Which? Devotion to her 'hus-
band or slavery to duty?
Miss C.-You know very well what
mean. Intelligent people who are poor
never have children.
Mr. G.-Your first husband was
wealthy. Miss Claverhouse. but you
never had a child.
Miss c. (visibly nettled and yet fasci-
mated with the young mans calm air
and mysterious knowledge of her
affairs)-A child would be an intolerable
burden to a professional woman. II
would simply destroy my-my-
Mr.. G.-Your selfshness?
Miss C.-You are rude
Mr.. G.-I did not mean to be So