The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-08-09
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A RIDE IN AN ICE BOX
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ben ClayIon well knew that hi;
fathers instruction was that h.
should not leave the car until b,
reached Memphis; and yet at Jack
sin, a few hours from New Orleans
he was debating with himself the rea
son for his fathers command. Why
should he not do as the other passen
gers? Several of them were then walk
Ing to and fro on the station platform
After few moments of hesitation
he laid his overcoat over the back of
the seat, and went to join the others.
why are we stopping here" Ben
heard passenger inquire of the con-
ductor
waiting for the Limited" the con-
ductor replied. "We'll be here twenty
minutes"
Twenty minutes?' Thought Ben.
"I'll walk to the opposite side of the
station, and see the city,"
AS he reached the edge OF the walk
he heard the music of band, and he
asked bystander why It was playing.
Dog and pony show you can see
1t yonder," the man answered.
Now. II there was anything Ben de-
lighted to see 1t was circus parade,
and a dog and pony show was the next
best thing. He thought he would have
sufficient time In which to run to the
end Of the block, see the parade, and
return to the station before the train
left.
When he reached the corner, how
ever, he had block further to go
and presently he came In sight of the
band wagon, then stood laughing and
shouting at the antics of the dogs and
monkeys.
Suddenly he was aroused by the
shrlll whistle of a locomotive. Recol-
iecting where he was and what he was
doing he ran to the station; but reach
ed 1t Just as the train, in which he
should have been passenger, disap-
peared In the distance.
rs that my trainy' the excited bow
cried, breathlessly, at the ticket Office
window,
Your train? Do you own train?v
asked the agent, loosely.
Yes, slr-no, sir! / mean I was
going on that train to Memphis.
came from New Orleans on 1t: went to
see the parade, and now I'm left" Ben
managed to stammer.
ITO be sure you're left; but don't
worry, there will be another train
along at midnight, and you can take
that. Your ticket will be good" the
agent explained.
z His ticket! Where was his ticket?
Not In his pocket where he had placed
1t Then, In a twinkling, the truth
came; he had taken 1t from the pocket
In his waistcoat and placed It In his
oyercoat pocket, and the overcoat was
in the car.
The boy was dazed at the predica-
ment In which he was placed; two hun
dred miles from home, his suitcase
overcoat' and ticket racing north at the
rate of forty miles an hour.
what confounded luck" he mnt-
tered, almost on the verge Of tears
"Whatll father think of me? I'm n
chump. that's what ami"
In this mood he sat on a truck to
think out his troubles. The more he
considered his misfortune the more he
determined he was to continue his
journey; how he did not know. At
last the idea occurred that the agent
might assist him.
"My coat and suitcase are In one of
the cars on the train that just left"
he explained to the agent. ''Do Won
know II can get them?"
$50 that's the trouhle?" asked the
agent. as he came from the Office.
well, you need not fret; I'll telegraph
the conductor TO take charge of your
belongings and to leave them at the
ticket office at Memphis. But. hold
steady, how are you to travel from
here to Memphis without tlcket?"
Il don't know, sir" answered Ben.
Know any one In Jacksong
"No, sir; but | know banana mes
senger who'll be here this afternoon
Joe Harris, do you know himg"
Tall fellow with a crooked nose?"
eyes. sir, that's he"
s.Well. II You know him he'll put you
over the road the banana train win be
here at four thlrty-flye. Now you stay
here. and don't you run after the show