The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-12-09
IN A RAILWAY CAR.


Der l received orders to join my regi-
ment Immediately. The evening FOUND
me walking up and down the platform
of the station few moments before the
departure of the eight o'clock express,
looking for vacant compartment.
The guard opened door bearing the
sign Smokers" 1 made wry face, but
as l stood good chance of having the
compartment to myself, l jumped
aboard.
AS had hoped, no one disturbed me.
Little by little, lulled by the monotonous
movement, fell into light sleep.
Chateau Thierry!" called the guard
in hoarse voice.
l opened one eye and stretched myself
A young woman swept like whirlwind
into my compartment.
WELL" l thought, here is a woman
who does not object to smoke"
''Unquestionably she has taken me
for woman. laughed softly to myself.
Midnight One o'clock.
"Frouard. Three minutes STOP" cried
the guard.
1 rose, threw off my furs and jumped
down on the platform for brisk walk.
At the moment the signal for departure
was given jumped on the train again.
Horrors. My gentle neighbor, who but
few minutes before had been slumber-
ing so gracefully, rose with spring,
and stood before me looking highly Oh
| Tended.
''This is objectionable, sir" she SAID
in trembling voice. mo, you shall not
enter" and she placed herself before
me- to oppose my entrance.
The station master, thinking l had
mounted, blew his whistle, and 1t was
impossible for me to withdraw. BeWll-
dered as was by this strange reception,
| before which l would have retired under
any other circumstances, l forced the
weak barrier aside, and, jumping into
| the compartment, l slammed the door
behind me- just as the train started
The girl gave a smothered cry. Sne
looked for the alarm bell, but the semi
darkness prevented her seeing 1t; ana
| she fell back on the cushions resignedly
apparently expecting to be murdered.
had regained my self-possession, and
approaching her courteously, l said, II
my softest voice:
Calm yourself, madam, beg. What
have 1 done to arouse your indlgna-
tion?"
She lifted her large black eyes, spark
ding with anger, to my face.
What have you done" she repeated
In a voice choked with emotion. "Yol
ask me what you have done? 1t is I'M
oardonable to take advantage of dis
guise to-Oh, no, it is too terrible"
But could not prevent you from en-
tering the compartment"
mo, but you might have spoken, ant
this mistake would not have occurred
Besides" she added in naughty tone
eff you had been where you belonged, al
this would not have happened"
81 do not understand you, madam. l
seems to me was the first to occupy thi
compartment"
ooh! And since when have gentlemen
a right to enter ladies' compartments? 2
Ladies' compartments! Well, this i
going too far" l exclaimed. Il tool
this compartment for smokers in Paris
in order to be alone"
do not think, sir, that you can ex
cuse your baseness by such pretext."
Pardon me, madam, it is easy to veri
fy."
ooh, can easily prove to you"
With a simultaneous movement W
rushed to our respective sides OF tn
compartment, and, slipping our arm
through the little side windows, we too
the signs from the doors. We held GU
trophies up to the light, and she rea
aloud:
Ladies'! There, you see," she added
triumphantly.
Smokers" 1 read from my sign. "Ar
you convinced?"
r We verified each others assertion:
looked at each other and burst on
laughing.
''Well, said, sit is all the fault of tn
railway"
Here we are at Nancy" she re
marked, endeavoring to regain her sell
possession. AS the train slowed up sh
t looked out through the window at m
: tside.
D ooh, there is my father" she said.
: l opened the door and she fell into th
S arms of tall gentleman of militar
carriage who was decorated with til
|, rosette of the Legion of Honor
Where the devil have 1 seen tn;
head?"
Thirty-five minutes later we m,
l. again before the door of the same con
. partment. The old gentleman looked ;
:, me attentively.
Of 81 beg your pardon, sir" he said, aft
O some hesitation, lifting his hat. cal
q you not M. CASTOR de Verdrel?"
|, ST am, sir" replied, bowling.
= He held out his hand.
y 'My dear boy, what fortunate coinc
. dence. You did not expect, am sur
that your colonel would come to me-
= YOU"
VI For few seconds l stood speeches
d Colonel" I stammered at last, makir
n the military salute.
q The old man saw my embarrassment
= and, pushing me toward the compar
ment said:
'o "The train starts in minute. L