The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-17
S~LEEPING-CAR MISERY.
A Place Where Human Nature Is
Tried to the Utmost.
New York Evening Sun.

New York Evening Sun.
1t is a matter Of daily surprise to phil
osophers that murder is not committed
every morning in a sleeping car. There
never was an invention less adapted 10 its
purpose. A human being who can WOO
natures sweet restorer and win her under
the conditions provided IN a sleeping car
is devoid of nerves or a conscience. To
talk of going TO bed in the vehicle is an
absurdity. In the first place people agree
that 10 rest in a bed the clothing must be
removed and a nightgown or pajamas put
on. But no two persons agree as TO what
to take off on retiring 10 a berth I'm a
sleeper. Some persons go to bed all stand
ing. as it were. Others take off a garment
or two and spend the remainder OF the
night looking for a place to stow them
Hardy spirits get almost down to the bun,
in a sitting posture fold up their clothes.
and lay them away fore and aft. putting
the lighter articles IN the lemon net on the
port or starboard side. But this requires
practice and a nice sense OF balancing.
The ladies. we believe. retire In their
street costumes. and not only button the
flaps OF the kennel, but fastsn them with
safety pins. We remember an aged spin
ster who refused to go to bed In a crowded
car because a man had the lower berth,
and II had always been her custom 10 look
under the bed before retiring. The car
having quoted down. everybody makes a
pretence OF going 70 sleep. but in nine cases
out OF ten IL Is a hollow farce. The hear
ing is stretched for every sound, and the
porter coming down the aisle with mufned
feet Is like a marching procession on the
Fourth Of July. a natural breath has the
volume Of a snore. and a whisper rushes
Ike a cataract. II Is impossible 10 lie
still The body has the consistency OF
jelly, and is hak into all sorts or moids
by the motion OF the train. The conversa-
ton al stations where the train stops in
trudes extensively. II is difficult 20 believe
the speaker are not looking IA on Won IN
your misery. Laughter Is an insult. As
the night wanes breathing becomes more
difficult, until the Black Hole al Calcutta
seems like a breezy upland compared with
your prison. Red-eyed and "ve-shatte
you sneak toward the Mushroom in the
morning, after pulling on your trousers IN
a recumbent position. You would like 10
take a bath under Niagara. but have 10 be
content with a cat wash IN a basin that
looks Ike a hngerbOwl. Other pailid and
saturnine persons wait for you 10 get
through, or tread on your toes ia the pas
sage. Murderous CLEANS you detect IN their
eyes, and some are sick at heart and hum
bled In spirit AS the sun rises the place
Is Ike a ward in a hospital that has not
been ventilated for a month. Human ma
ture Is AT its worst. All the passions
slmists, and oyspeptiCs dangerous. 10
speaks well for the restraint OF the Amer
lean character THAI all the crimes in the
calendar are not committed before the
train reaches its destination. II the porter
gets a TIP IL is because the victims are
willing 20 pay for their release. II there
IL one thing In cur strenuous life that calls
bitterly Tor reform IL n the sleeping car.