The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-16
TRIALS OF TRAVEL
The Unpleasant Experience Of DR..
M. Russell Wilcox on a Hurried
Trip from Europe.
Compelled to Come Next Thing to
"Steerage"-The "Last Straw"
-. a. on q Pullman.

The experiences of steeraee passenger
on transatlantic vessel do not often
fall to the lot of successful member of
the medical profession having a large
practice in a large city. But such ex-
perience did fall to the lot of a Mime
apolis physician and the cruel fates
seemed to take particular delight in rub
bling it in when they found they had
such an excellent chance at man of
distinction -.- .r.,.
The object Of the pranks of the fates
In this case was DR.. M. Russell Wilcox Of
this city. The doctor was called home
from Europe by the severe illness of Mrs.
Wilcox and had to come in haste and
there is where the trouble all started.
After getting across water to this side
and receiving word that Mrs. Wilcox was
improving in health, the Doctors mind
was relieved and he told his experiences
to some intimate friends in Boston, never
dreaming that one of those friends would
journey Minneapolisward where the story
quite accidentally would be given to a
newspaper man. 1t all came about in this
way according to the story the doctors
friends tell: --.-
The doctor was attending an operation
when a cablegram was delivered to him
announcing the serious illness of Mrs.
Wilcox, who is still so ill that the doctor
of time to his practice. The cablegram
left but one thing for the doctor to do
to set sail at the earliest possible moment
DR.. Wilcox could get no accommodations
that day and was threa tened with having
to wait over, which he was determined
not to do ."
Thought Of Playing Stowaway.
Then came ray of hope. A captain Of
the line the doctor was accustomed to
patronize suggested that he try to buy
an officers berth on a certain vessel. In
case that failed, the doctor was to board
his favorite lines ship, ostensibly without
the knowledge of either captain or crew
A debut before the ships company in the
dramatic light of stowaway did not meet
DR.. Wilcox's fancy. Instead he harangued
an officer Of a ship at one of the wharves,
paid fee Of s3 besides the regular fare,
and finally found himself, in company
with a prominent fruit merchant, occupy
ing mates quarters. Before the ship
set sail, however. there appeared an
eminent Chicago divine, whom dire straits
had driven to seek a passage ANY which
way and whom the mate, for generous
fee. had obligingly assigned to share the
chant. ... - y
The Trouble Begins. -
There the three gentlemen languished
until, once safe out at sea, the order was
given to open the steerage way. Then the
fun began. There were a number of Tom
my Atkinses on board, who sought to
while away the leaden hours by contin-
uous performance, in inebriation. They
were not bit exclusive either, and tried
to cheer up the three forlorn-looking gen.
tlemen by giving them as much Of their
society as possible Also. the meat
which was stored not far away, was loud
and the rest Of the food was like the
meat.
What with the 'Tommies," the foul meat
and extensively ancient and decayed vege-
tables, tho trio in the mates quarters
were on the verge Of desperation. -
DR.. Wilcox, appealed, to the captain OF
the ship, but got no sympa thy-on the con-
trary. insult was added to injury, the cap
tain refusing to abate the various nui-
sances in offensive terms. = 49,. ~.
Seasickness, aggravated by the noisome
surroundings, and a heavy sea, was add
ed by old Neptune, who seemed interested
in the game played by the unkind fates
Altogether, the trio were. ready to cast
a unanimous vote at the end of their sea
voyage that voyaging in a "swill barrel
was not a delight. : =.
But DR.. Wilcox's troubles were not tt
end with leaving the ship. He wired FOL
a. birth over one of the Canadian lines
and on entering the car felt that rest was
near-sweet rest, after so many nights
Of misery on shipboard. It is true, he ha6
been able. to get only an upper, bu
even that was inviting after what he hat
been through. With what satisfaction HI
stretched his tired limbs as he lay dowr
| to sleep. He was soon wrapped In deel
slumber lulled by. the motion Of thu
| smoothly gliding train. But At
a. m. the porter. supposed to be a guar
dian Of a sleeping car passengers peace
broke the doctors slunber short off. Sur
| rounded by woman and two youn.
children, the porter spoke. His voice
reached the doctor from the gloom Of tn
aisle.
Sorry, subj" apologized the porter
| 'but there's mistake heah. This sec
ton is resuhved for this lady and you'll
have to tuhn out suh," .... ....
The lady was annoyed and agitate,
at the delay and her emotion took tn
form of abusive language, SO that the doc
tor and his melancholy fellow possenge: o
the lower berth were glad to turn GU
with what speed and dignity they coul
command. -. - 49, -.
His friends say that DR.. Wilcox is a
present contemplating a prolonged resi-
dence In the flour city. s g.
y A DRY WEEK