Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-07
AN INQUIsITWE ACQUAINTANCE.
The Lady from California Meets a Man
on the Train.

on the Train.
I had been. shopping in Boston, writes
! San Francisco lady in paper of tina.
city, and late in the afternoon boarded
the train for Salem. and had estab-
lished myself comfortably with my
parcels beside me- when a nice looking.
we'll dressed man of middle age stopped
in the aisle, and asked politely if l was
reSerVing the vacant seat for any one
l gathered up my bundles and made
room for the gentleman. who seated
himself, and then proceeded TO scan me
so closely that thought he had mis-
taken me for an acquaintance. Pres
emily he spoke: Nice, soft rain we're
having"
Now. when I left San Francisco, a
cautious friend, who either distrusted
me or feared that trains We're crowded
with villains lying IN wait for unpro-
tected females, had said: above all
things, never talk 20 strange men on
the train," adding with deep meaning,
you never know" So 1 merely in
clined my head in answer to his re-
mark, endeavoring. however, to balance
distant politeness with the civility due
fellow traveller.
Presently he tried again. Looking ut
the ticket which l held in my hand for
the conductor, who was coming down
the aisle my seat mate said, Il see
you're going to Salem.''
Yes
Live there?"
No"
Summer resident?'
mo"
"Nisiting there?'
Yes"
"Nisiting relatives?"
No"
Visiting friends?"
Yes"
A slight pause, then ashamed of what
seemed like unnecessary curtness, I
added: II am visiting John Beverly of
No. - Mt. Vernon ST.
Apparently relieved. he responded,
briskly: ''Oh. yes! Oh yes! 1 know
who he is" Then quickly, as if to seize
my relenting mood, Live in this part
of the country?''
No"
Not from New York?'
No"
Come from some dlStance?"
Yes" He waited expectantly, so
added: Il came from San Francisco
Cal"
He whirled around in his seat to face
me, and, gazing with lively interest,
exclaimed: Il want to know" He
unused a moment, then began again:
Left your family there"
l nodded. Thereupon he settled him
self comfortably, and proceeded to
give me a. condensed account of my
own state which he had obtained FROM
statistics sent by a brother who ha
emigrated there some years before.
Apparently refreshed by this mono
losue. he prepared TO resume his cate
chism He leaned his elbow on the
back of the seat, and gazed at me re-
flectively for few moments. l saw by
the interrogative expression of his eyes
that more questions were coming. but
I was quite unprepared for the direc-
ton in which his interest manifested
itself. At last he spoke: II should say
that You are about 81 or So
For a moment l did not know what
to say. Then overcome by the humor
of the situation, laughed aloud as I
answered.: "I'll never tell"
why not?" he exclaimed, indig-
nantly. You're only one human be-
ing. and I'm another; why nOt?" Then
in a moment '31 or 32,' he repeated,
looking me over as if sizing me by my
points.
You should not judge me by by ap-
pearance today" I said. by this time
quite in the humor to talk to this
strange man on the train,' whom
found exceedingly amusing. Il have
my raincoat on, and besides. you can
not tell a woman's age through her
veil"
oh. yes, can" he responded quick
ly. I'm good Judge of persons
age. How old should you say 1 am?
Now. don't be afraid. Say what you
think"
Il am not judge of anyone's age"
answered. but should take you to be
about fifty"
I'm 60. but look young, I know"
he said in gratified tone, adding
quickly: Il shan't dispute it if you say
you're IS
| laughed so heartily at this that a
lazy IN the seat just in front of me,
whose very backbone had quivered
with burning curiosity, could resist no
longer. She turned swiftly and gave
me long, comprehensive look. then
settled to listen once more. She was
not disappointed.
I lie opened fire once more. $50
you've lett Your husband and children
in California;
INFORMED him. with perhaps I'M
necessary asperity. that | had neither
husband nor children.
But you said you'd left your family