The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-21
PULLMAN PERCH" FOR HER
Woman at the Depot Wanted to Ira
vel "Layin' " Down.
(Kansas City Starr
lot any Of them perches left?"

Got any of them perches left?"
A woman stood in front Of the Pull
man office window at the Union depot
She was little, and weather-beaten, but
her voice was high and shrill. She
wore a black sateen dress. much worn
evidently Stray wisps of hair fell
from under her poke" bonnet and her
long, bony fingers grasped the brass
rods protecting the window. She wait
ed for no answer after addressing the
question.
You know, me and my old man Cher
husband, a docile, meek, care free, go
as-you-please old pilgrim. was close on
her heels. carrying a big valise and
saying nothing) thought we'd go back
to Ohio. Hadn't been there since TWEEN
ty years ago when we packed up and
come to 'New-brasky.' Well. were Jest
gittin' back and we're plum pegged
out: been settin' up on the train and
amt had no sleep. The children,
they
beg pardon, madame" interrupted
the man behind the window, but I
will have to ask you to-
mo offense, no Ofense." broke in
the woman. You needn't beg my par
/ don"
But what did you want?' asked the
ticket agent.
well, I wanted to get one of them
peTches for me and the old man. she
replied. Were pegged out and lowed
we'd lay down the rest of the way"
The puzzled look on the agents face
gave way to a smile and he said:
"Oh, you want berth in the sleep
er?'
Never Rode "Layin' " Down Before.
Yep" the woman replied Never
rode on a train layin' down before, but
1 guess it won't make me sick"
1--WE get all kinds here" observed
the ticket seller and the words had no
more than left his lips until another
stepped up to the window. This one
was q man and Of a type in strange
contrast with the one who had gone
before. He was a crusty individual.
| immaculate in dress. severe in manner,
austere in pose, and a person of great
moment in his own mind. He placed
his travelling bag on the floor, blew a
cloud Of smoke from big. black cigar.
adjusted his nose glasses and said au-
thoritative1y:
Have you those reservations for
me?"
81 have several reservations replied
the ticket agent cody if not indiffer-
emily.
We'll, have you those for me?" de-
manded the newcomer, with a decided
accent on the me"
You are John Smith believe" re-
piled the ticket agent, nonchalantly.
mo. I am not John Smith, said the
august customer, Indignantly. My
name is"-he gave his name.
Il might have guessed it if you had
given me another chance" said the
ticket seller as he received the money
and pushed two berth tickets through
the wicket.
The crusty gentleman was now in a
great rage, and ended TRADE against
the ticket seller by saying:
''1'll see that you are fred"
who DO you suppose he is?" was
asked Of the ticket seller.
Merely q Four-FIusher.
'Fourfusher.' tin-horn.' false
alarm 'papa's boy" replied the ticket
/ seller disgustedly. You never hear a
man with brains and authority make
| q talk like that. As I said before we
/ get all kinds here"
Have you lower berth I'm the mid
die of the car" asked the next ap-
/ pIicant
"The lowers in the middle are all
| gone" was the reply.
The next two applicants asked the
/ same question and then the ticket sell
I er made an observation. Said he:
IT'S strange that the travelling pub
! lie will never dismiss that old idea of
| wanting a berth in the middle of the
/ car. Tt still clings to the fallacy about
/ a berth I'm the middle being more COM
/ Portable than berth in either end or
/ over the wheels.
why, long time ago the Pullman
/ company installed 'equalizers' which
| distribute the far and rolling sensation
| all over the car, SO that It Is iTnpos-
| sible to tell whether you are riding in
| the middle or the end, it being the
/ same in all parts OF the car. I have
/ long since grown weary of trying to
! convince the public of the fact, how
ever. The publuic still clarnors for the
! lower in the middle"