The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-06-17
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. An Americans Adven- :
. ture In England.
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I hear number Of Americans say
they would like to live In England.
I've lived in England. and don't want
to live there any more. In the first
place. they have as many annoyances
as we have, II not more. In the Sec
ond, their methods of travel are anti
quated. especially railroad travel.
While was living In London just
thought / would like to see something
that looked like virgin country. I'd
lived In America, where l could hunt
real game and catch fish. l don't
mean numbering tame deer in grove.
l mean shooting wild moose In
forest got stuck on the idea one
day Of going fishing In some Of the
streams near London. l borrowed
some fishing tackle and took a train,
getting out at station where they
told me there was q stream. And In
the stream they led me to believe there
were fish. In the last part they lied to
me. There isn't any fish or game in
England that doesn't belong to some
one. usually to big lord whose ances-
tors shot wild game and caught wild
FISH thousand years ago
sat down by the side OF that stream
three mortal hours without seeing my
cork bob once. Then leaned my back
up against n tree. still holding on to
my rod. and went to sleep. | was
awakened by distant railway whis-
tie. and Il suddenly occurred to me to
take the coming train to London.
jumped up In hurry. reeled in my
line and made for the station. just
reaching 1t In time. There were man
and woman in the compartment.
took a farther corner and was settling
myself TO continue my nap when the
woman got up and began to howl for
the guard. He didn't come quick
enough to suit her. and she pulled the
cord. The train slowed up. and when
the guard came along. trying to find
out what was the matter, she cried:
Let me out. Let me out! Qulck~
He opened the door, and she got into
another compartment, the man also
getting out at the same time.
The train went on. and was won
dering what had bothered them when
felt something tickle my wrist. I
felt and caught black ant Then I
saw that was alive with them. They
covered me from head TO foot, crawled
down my neck. up my sleeves and my
trousers legs.
Well there I was In one OF those
abominable English railway carriages,
locked In and a myriad OF ants getting
between my clothes and my skin every
second. IL I'd been on a sensible
American railway I'd have gone into
the baggage car. stripped and shaken
them or. However. there being nc
one but myself In the compartment.
started TO get on my outer clothing
Taking OF my coat. I shook II out OF
the window. Then did the same with
my trousers. While was shaking the
trousers the train struck curve, gave
a lurch. and | dropped my trousers.
gasped for breath nj my situation.
IL would have been bad enough In
America. but In England. where the
people are so afraid they'll see some.
body with his clothing awry. the
thought Of people getting into the com
partment with me. TO hurry out on
seeing my want Of costume. and my
arrival In London In that condition
was truly horrible. AT the first station
several people started 10 come IN, but
! got rid Of them. ! pretended I was
insane. making the most frightful faces
at them. At one station ! saw n pretty
girl coming. and before she got 20 the
door began TO talk gibberish and
laugh. i may seem funny. but tell
you there was nothing funny In II al
the time. In this way I succeeded IN
driving people away. and at last. !,
being reported 10 the guard that there
was an insane man in the compart
ment. he made sure that couldn't es
cape.
When we reached the London sta
tion fully half the passengers who go'
OF crowded around my compartment
Most OF the men and some OF the wo
men waited while the authorities tele
phoned 10 an asylum for keepers e
come and take me away. or course
couldn't leave the car and 40 out be
fore all these people with no trouser.
on my legs. | was ready 10 90 10 m
insane asylum or anywhere else. pro
vidcd they would cover me M. SO
got MS far back IN the carriage as
could and waited.
When the officials came the guard
unlocked the door. and n man came
Into the car.
I'm not crazy" said. 1--WE lost
my trousers out Of the window"
That's all right" he said: come
along"
Look nc my legsl DO you want e
take me out In this condition."
by Jovef' he exclaimed. taking n
the situation. Then 20 the man be
hind him he added. eco 90 the ambu
lance and get some blankets"
When the blankets came he wrapped
them around my legs. and the mel
carried inc through the crowd 20 thu
Ambulance. put me IN and drove OF
was the hnppicst man III the thrc,