Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1884 — People Who Live on the Railroads. [ARTICLE]

People Who Live on the Railroads.

There is a distinct railroad populas j tion that is constantly growing. It iJ composod of commercial travelers, lecj turers, show agents, actors, and acttresses. They eat more meals in hotel cars and railroad meal stations than they do at home or in hotels. They spend more nights in sleeping-car bunks than in beds. To a person who travels only occasionally it is interesting to note hew thoroughly equipped these professional journeyers are. Upon entering a sleeping-car early in the evening, for instance, they remove their shoes and put on slippers, hang their hat up and don silk traveling caps, take off their coats and put on short sack coats or smoking jackets. In the morning, when the occasional traveler, obliged to wear the only clothing he has brought, goes to the toilet compartment in his coat and vest, and thus struggles in an effort to cleanse his skin without soaping his sleeves or his coat collar, these professionals again excite his envy. They come along all smijas, having slept well, and feeling perfectly at home. They hang up their smoking jackets and display snowy white robes, ornamented with colored binding and braid, and capable of being thrown open at the neck and rolled up above the elbows. From a pocket in the suspended jacket one produces an ivory-backed brush and costly comb, a tooth-brush, and perhaps a nickle-plated soap box. Another opens out a prettily embroidered receptacle, composed of many folds, each on® a pocket and each one labeled. In these lockets are a ,comb a brush, a tooth-brush, shaving-brush, soap box, pair of razor cases, nail-’ brush, whisk broom, hand glass, and cologne bottle. Ttfeir familiarity with their surroundings is as noticeable a part of their equipment. A glance out of the car window is almost certain to reveal to them their whereabouts when they arise, or when they are waked up, or are about to go to bed. They cariy their time-tables in their heads, and give good advice as to which station has the best caterer. They are sociable and democratic.—Philadelphia Record.