Year: 1860

( tnS railroads. was 4ltlle more IN the as


cendant than at the present time, | va:


travelling on the Michigan Central Road, in


company with lady friend. We took ouI
| seats in the cars one fine morning in the


month of May, when the birds were sing


ing sweehy, and every thing denoted pros


periiy and happiness. Our train consisted


of two baggage and our well-filled passen'
ger.coaches. We had not long been occu'


pants of the car, before well-known per-
sonage, who had lately been in the employ
of Joe Pentland's circus company, made his
| appearance | soon Tell in conversation
with him, and learned that the circus 5usi
ness had been unusually poor that season
He said he was homeward bound, intend


occupation also learned that he was out
of funds, and unable to pay his way home
offered TO see him home, as had plenty
of "sponduics )" but he would not avail
himself of my offer, until he would find out
how he would succeed in his own under
taking. | resolved 10 wait patiently until
the conductor should make his appearance


Slowly the train began 10 move and soon
we found everything flying by US with a


velocity had never Witnessed in all my


railroading. had been fixing my eyes on
things without, but was now gradually turn
ing them on the Individual who sat before
me for The conductor was then in our car,
and fast approaching US.


lo n n.
easy, ami the conductor soon reached him,
and asked for his ticket All eyes were
now turned upon these two persons. and
everything save the rumbling OF the car was
silent. The circus man began to move un-
easily, and asked the conductor how much
his fare would be. The genius of the rail-


road company told him seventy-fve cents
The clown OF the circus said


81 have no change-nothing but a uerg


large BiA which | am afraid you could not
break; and, as you wish such small
amount, guess you may as well give up
all idea of changing it, aud let me ride
! Free"


Now. who had witnessed all that had
! transpired, concluded that the clown OF the
circus was trying 10 dead-head his way by


talking. But the officer of the railroad com
! pany thought differently. He swore that he


could change any bill that might be pro


duced and, TO confirm. what he said
/ brought out a hundred of fves, tens and
! twenties But the clown of the circus also
swore that he could not change his bill.
| Everybody in our car was now up and
| gathered around the pair. The conductor
seeing how things were working, and think


inr that the man had neither bill mol
money, proposed the following: That i
! he (the conductor) could no, change the bill
the circus man should ride free, and have
+ five dollars in cash thrown in.


This pleased the fellow; for he had evil
| Gently been waiting for such proposition


and suddenly out from his own pocket came


a roll of paper; and, giving IT sudden


Jerk, be produced an enormous sho'o h'f
/ (what some people would call sol family
size") about six feet long, and half as many
! wide.


I The conductor was astounded. And such
! roar Of laughter as shook the car, was
never heard before. The conductor, caught


in his own trap, gave the clown the five
dollars and vanished. 1t is needless 10 say
/ that the circ cus-man rode free, and received
the congratulations of his fellow passengers
! About a month after the above occur
! renee I received a letter from our dead
header, stating that he had established him


self in the well paying business OF dentist


and over the door of his shop sign reads
thus: "Teeth extracted free"