Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22

/ don't walk. That's what agents always
say to impatient passengers But | am
not foolish enough to attempt walking. l
have made sad mistake, a very sad mis-
take; but | am not going to get excited about
it and lose my head. | intend to make the
most of the unfortunate circumstances. l
shall sit down here and think the matter over
Car fully
Excuse me, said the agent; "but was
merely going to suggest that you wire the
Chautauqua officials to change the program;
that you tell them you can't get there until
Tomorrow
For moment the professor of zoology and
natural history gazed at the agent at Eldara
in admiration "Well, wel!' he said pres
emily. "To be sure, to be sure!"
HE picked up his grip and followed the
agent into the shanty. Two minutes
later he completed delicately phrased tele-
gram to the secretary of the Eldora Chau-
tauqua.
He handed the message to the agent. The
agent counted the words, consulted sched-
ule of rates and said, Twenty cents,
please"
The professor reached into his pocket,
pulled forth silver dollar, and gave it to the
agent The agent counted out seventy-fve
cents and handed it to the professor.
When he had sent the message the agent
glanced around. James Carlton Brown was
still at the ticket window.
"When you have time" remarked the
professor quietly, 4you may give me ticket
to Eldora.'
Al don't sell coupon tickets" the agent
explained; "but l can sell you a ticket to
Central Junction
"Very well,n' said the professor, "you
NAV give me a ticket to Central Junction"
The agent took small pasteboard from
a cabinet, stamped it, and laid it on the
shelf in front of the professor. "Four dol
lars and twenty-five cents, please he said.
James Carlton Brown took out his wallet
and opened it. Then he turned blank face
toward the agent. Il beg YOU. pardon. he
said; "but find cannot pay for the ticket
until 60 to the bank. You see, > he fastened
to explain, Il never carry any large amount
of currency with me when travel. consider
it dangerous. l find now have only seventy
five cents in change, though | have draft
"a New York draft-for one hundred dol
lars" He paused suddenly. @But-but
YOU have no bank here?" he asked anxiously.
The agent grinned NO. he said, @nary
bank"
aNo bank! Well, well!' exclaimed the
professor. He turned and paced nervously
back and forth across the room, and ever
and mon he reiterated, "Well, well!' Pres
emily he paused at the window. u have
been told" he ventured, "that express COM
panies sometimes cash New York drafts"
Eyes, admitted the agent, Il believe they
do; but there is no express office here
aNo express office here! Well, WE'LL"
The lecturer on @Nature Takers" was be-
coming thoroughly disgusted He started
to walk away; but turned suddenly about.
1Then,' he said, IF you will direct me to
the postoffice =
@But there isn't any postoffice here,
either" replied the agent cheerfully.
mo postoffice either!" Brown gazed sol
EMMY at the agent for moment or two,
and when at last he spoke it was with great
deliberations @Sir,' he said, 3will you please
inform me what there is here?"
1There is railroad station here, replied
the agent, @only railroad station
A H!' The professors eyes cleaned hope
= fully. "You say there is a railroad sta
ton here, do you? You are sure of it?'
ayes, sir
"And this is the railroad station, this inn
posing structure in which we now stand?'
ayes, sir"
"And you, my dear sir, have the honor of
being the agent for the railroad company
that maintains this magnificent station in
this beautiful CITY, aren't yOu?"