Morris tribune., 1914-10-09


in a railway train upon the
road to Mhow from Amir.
There had been deficit in the
budget, which necessitated travelling
not second class. which is only half as
dear as first class, but by intermediate,
which is very awful indeed
Ny particular intermediate happened
TO be empty till 1 reached Nasirabad.
when huge gentleman in shirt sleeves
entered and. following the custom of
intermediates, passed the time of day.
He was a wanderer and a vagabond
like myself, but with an educated taste
for whisky. He told tales of things he
had seen and done, of out of the way
corners of the empire into which he
had penetrated and of adventures in
which he riskpd his life for few days
food.
My friend wanted to send telegram
back from the next station to Amir,
which is the turning off place from the
Bombay to the Mhow line as you trav-
el westward. Ny friend had no money
beyond s annas, which he wanted for
dinner, and had no money at all ow-
ing to the hitch in the budget before
mentioned.
Did you say you are travelling back
along this line within any days?" asked
he.
Within ten" said
Cant you make it eight?" said he
mime is rather urgent business"
Il can send your telegram within ten
days if that will serve you," l said.
Il couldn't trust the wire to fetch
him, now think of it. It's this way:
He leaves Delhi on the 23d for Bonn
bay That means he'll be running
through Amir about the night OF the
23d."
But I'm going into the Indian des-
ert." l explained.
We'll and good" he said. You'll be
changing at Marwar Junction to get
into JodhTorp territory-you must do
that-and he'll be coming through Mar
war Junction in the early morning Of
the 24th by the Bombay mail. Can you
be at Warwar junction that time?
would take ii more than kind of you if
you was to culne out of central India
in time to catch him at Marwar juno
ton and say to him. He has gone
south for the week He'll know what
that means. He's big man with red
beard, and a great swell he is. You'll
find him sleeping like gentleman with
all his luggage round him in a second
class compartment. l ask you as a
stranger-gOing to the west" he said
with emphasis
where have you come from% said
From the east" said he. land am
hoping that you will give him the mes
sage on the Square-for the sake Of my
mother as we'll as your own.
Englishmen are not usually softened
by appeals to the memory of their
mothers, but for certain reasons, which
will be fully apparent, | saw fit to
agree.
"I'll give the message if | catch
him." said. "and for the sake of your
mother as we'll as mine I'll give you a
word Of advice. Don't try to run the
Central India states just now as the
There's real one knocking about here
and it might lead to trouble"
THANK YOU" said he simply "And
when will the swine be gone? can't
-starve because he's running my work
! wanted to get hold of the Degumbeu
Rajah down here about his fathers
widow and give him jump"
tGWhaf did bo do hic e.
widow, then?''
Filled her up with red pepper anC
Slippered her to death as she huns
from beam. found that out myself
and I'm the only man that would dart
going into the state to get hush money
for it. But you'll give the man
Marwar Junction my message?'
He got out at little roadside sta
ton. When left the train did busi
ness with divers kings, and in eigh
days passed through many changes o
life.
Then l headed for the great Indlal
desert upon the proper date as | hat
promised. and the night mail set M
down at Marwar Junction
The BombayAmail from Delhi make
short halt at Marwar She arrives
as l got in. and l had just time t
hurry to her platform and go down th
carriages. There was only one secon,
class on the train slipped the win
dow and looked down upon a f1aminl
red beard. half covered by a railwa,
rug.
Tickets againY' said he.
"No." said l. Il am to tell you tina
ne is gone south for the week. He /
agone south for the week.