Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-12-08
Changing Chucker's Trousers,

question which would be quickly solved
in the negative in continental countries,
where guards walk along the footboards
ana collect tickets while the train is in
motion.
But in England a passenger who likes
partment is, as rule, pretty secure from
interruption.
At least. so thought Mr.. Barnaby
Chucker as he alighted from hanson
at Paddington and rushed across the
platform, holding a railway rug and a
carpet bag, which contained complete
change OF raiment-to-wit dress clothes
Mr.. Chucker had received an invitation
to dine at Windsor, with some friend of
influential position; but, being busy
man, he had not found time to dress at
his Office in the city or at his chambers
at the West End Stepping into the
train. he slipped a shilling into the hand
Of the guard and said:
Keep this compartment; | want to
dress"
An right. sir" answered the guard.
and the next moment the train started.
Mr.. Chucker then unlocked his carpet
bag and drew ont clean shirt. with 9TH
er equipments necessary to his bodily
adornment.
1t must not be supposed that he did
TINS without reluctance, for he was a
great stickler about all the proprieties of
life. He objected to seeing things out of
season. If he had caught his best friend
changing his pantaloons in railway car
rage he would have thought meanly of
him for being of disorderly habits. and
so now he judged himself with a candid
severity for not having better regulated
his own time.
IF an accident occurred unused he. as
he removed his coat and waistcoat, Il
wonder what would be thought of me for
being half undressed in a tTain?''
This reflection made him redden. He
was shy, middleaged man, with large
red ears and a fat iorid face. The eff
feet of pulling off his boots always SUI
fused his countenance with crimson. and
It did so now insomuch that. what with
the color that came from physical exer-
ton and that which resulted from trou-
bled conscience, Mr.. Barnaby Chucker
looked truly distressed. Having removed
his boots, he denuded himself of his trou-
sers. This was trying moment if an
accident had happened.
"Why, why. dear me-" calculated Mr..
Chucker at this stage of his cogitations.
II think the train--no, it cannot be--is
stopping
The train was stopping, as Mr.. Chuck
er might have foreseen that it would do.
since he was not travelling by express;
but NE had been so enwrapped in his self
upbraiding thoughts that he had not even
noticed the first slackening of the en-
CINE.
He now found himself in the midst of
a very disreputable litter of clothes, and
with no time to redress himself before
the train stopped.
He had to decide hastily whether he
would steam alongside Ealing platform
in his shirt sleeves or minus his panta-
looms.
He chose wisely in budding on his
coat, which he buttoned up, while he
covered his lower man with his railway
rug. This done, he collected as many of
his belongings as he could into his bag.
kicked his boots under q seat and tried 10
look dignified.
The train had come to Il standstill now
and a guard opened the door of the car
riage in which our hero was sitting and
cried:
There's room here, sin, for you and
this lady"
Hi guard" exclaimed Mr.. Chucker.
leaning out in horror, YOU told me |
should have this compartment to my
self"
| Unfortunately for our modest friend
the guard to whom he had given the
shilling was not the one appointed TO
travel with the train. These little mis-
takes often occur. and lead to unpleasant
consequences.
The present guard said bluntly:
can't give You compartment TO
yourself unless you pay for it, sir. It's
against the rules. Here, madam, step in
please"
A lady who looked in very delicate
health got into the carriage. and Gen.
tleman with her. Mr.. Barnabv Chucker
, lelt ready 80 Swoon Before he could in.
form The guard OF his readiness to nav
ioJ a whole compartment sooner than
nav" ms privacy intruded upon. the
Tram Was oil again. and Mr.. ChuckeI
, len 10 rejecting how he should effect
: ms '1aner of carriages nj SLOUGH. now
a 'h"' ty "a~ in NO tit state to stem on
. TO a. platform. Ih2 train in which he
$ Travelled WAS not bound straight ia,
Windsor buJ for Birmingham. and Nh,
a9'N'r would have 90 change at Slouol
o evening '''''''' '""'
= Mas! move urgent difficulty thar
] %