The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-11-11
NY FELLOW
PASSENGER
foriginalI

German university, Miss Mollle Arnold.
fellow countrywoman, and had be-
come engaged TO her. She was travel
ing with her aunt. She was now In
London, where she had gone TO meet
her parents. who were coming from
America. ! was TO Join her there and
receive their inspection.
Crossing the channel at Calais, took
the train at Dover for London. had
become an inyeterate smoker among
the Germans and was much pleased 90
ind the compartment | entered entirely
unoccupied. so | read and smoked an
we stopped at station not FAR from
London, when gentleman got IN ihc
compartment with me and az once be-
gan to SNUFF the air omlnously and let
down the windows. Initiated at being
thus disturbed. | smoked on.
Pardon me-" he said. rs this n
smoking carrlager
Now, ri the university had learned
all sorts OF queer methods Of hood
wlnklng aud browbeatlng and other
wise getting the better Of people. The
German student Is a reckless, good ma
turcd, thoughtless individual, who new
or stops at any daring method OF at
talning his ends. Il occurred 20 me TO
frlghten the man into leaving the car
rage, so that could smoke on undls-
turbed. Without needing his question
glared at him. Then. leaning back In
the cushions. | began TO humble In
coherently. The gentleman looked nc
me lnqulringly for a few moments,
then unfolded a paper and began TO
read. When his ticket was taken, he
whispered something to the guard, who
looked at me sharply, then said:
nyery well, sir. III put you In an
other compartment at the next sta
tfon.n
Much pleased with the success OF my
maneuyer, | smoked on, expecting soon
to be relieved entirely OF one 80 mar
row minded az TO object 10 that smoke
which | had come 10 consider as nat
ural an element for man 10 breathe as
the air Of heaven.
when We reached the next station.
the guard appeared at tho door, ac-
companied by two policemen. who got
into the carriage and without word
OF explanation proceeded to handcun
me.
"'E's the man." said one; "tallies TO
the description hexcellent."
when did he escaper asked my fell
low passenger.
"Larst night, sir. The keepers hey
been iookin' for i'm heverywhere, -.
was taken from the cArriaet. leav-
ing the compartment TO the gentleman
who did not smoke and whom | OBJ
served as was led away settling him
self 10 his paper with as much com
placency as II nothing had happened
was taken TO a third class carriage.
where could breathe not only smoke.
but garlic and onions, TO my hearts
content.
when we arrived at London. l was
landed In an insane asylum. where It
was discovered that an error had been
made I'm mistaking me for an inmate
who had escaped the night before.
Nevertheless II was two days before
could convince the medical attendants
that was a sane man. Then l was
discharged. went 10 my hotel. dressed
and proceeded TO call upon my hancee
and her family.
on the way thought over a number
OF nice speeches TO be made 10 Mrs.
Arnold. bringing in how agreeably sur
prised I was TO find her so muca
younger looking than expected, Just
the mother for such daughter. and
all that. Then | turned over In my
mind the most appropriate greeting for
her father. found It more difficult TO
strike something clever and appropri-
ate for the man, for men do not take
80 kindly as women TO compliments.
but ! succeeded in inventing several
speeches, all OF which expressed sur
prise at something which was better
than | had expected. intending TO
choose the most appropriate when
should see the subject for whom tho
remarks were intended.
| was drst received by Mollie alone,
impatient TO hear the cause OF my de-
lay. Not caring TO reveal the episode
In which | had been so inglorlously
worsted. told her had been delayed
in my departure. Then her mother
came In. and was presented and look
ed over. Though the ordeal was a
trying one, | delivered myself OF my
compliments with rare assurance and
success. While in the midst OF a 1ow-
cry speech | heard a footstep in the
hall and turned on the mental switch
that would fre nne words at the ia
Their.
Great heaveni He was my fellow
passenger
The moment be saw me he recog-
nized me. Confusing ideas were strug-
Cling In his brain. was the lunatic,
yet there | was. In immaculate even
ing dress, looking as sane as any one,
an accepted sutton for his daughters
hand. | stood looking at him with a
flaming face, wishing the hoor would
open and let me down out Of sight.
l.