Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1889 — Traveling in Comfort. [ARTICLE]

Traveling in Comfort.

The old man had just arrived at his son's house from the country. “Well, father,” said the boy, “I hope you came through in the sleeping car, as I told you to, and had a good night s sleep." The old man smiled a sickly, sarcastic smile. “O, yes,” he said, “I had a good sleep, first-rate sleep; went to bed early.” “Did you wake up during the night ?” “Only twicet; only went to sleep twice t.” “Say, father!” said the young man, “you’ve got two great bumps on top of your forehead. What have vou been doing?” “Them’s the two times I woke up; passed another train both times, an’ when I heerd the big engine whizzin’ by an’ the bell ringin’ I thought ’twas a fire an’ jumped up slam agin the ceilin’. It’s lucky I was awake one time, though.” “Why, how so?” “The high an’ mighty importer that laughed when I ast to go to my room early in the evenin’ was sneaking off with my boots.” “Why, he was only going to shine them for you.” “Oh, go ’way,” said the old man. “I never ast him to shine ’em. Anyway, I took ’em to bed with me after that an’ never slep’ another wink. Say, Dairy, you aint got an old pair of suspenders, have ye?” “I guess I can find a pair for vou, yes.” “Busted mine tryin’ to put my pantaloons on layin’ down. Done it, though. Got all dressed layin’ flat—boots, pantaloons, coat, collar, necktie—hull business." “Why didn’t you get out of the berth to put on your collar and coat ?” “ Wimmin in the car. Got a handy place where I kin wash up, Henry ? There was a well o’ water in the car an’ I pumped some, but the train was goin’ so fast I couldn’t stand up to the ■ink. Say, Henry, what time’s dinner ready? Im so hungry I bin eatm’ my whiskers.” “Didn’t you get breakfast in the din-ing-car as I told you to ?” “Oh, yes,” said the old man. “O, yes, but I didn’t want to go it too expensive, so I told the fellow I’d just take a cup of coffee an’ some buckwheat pancakes. ” “Pretty light breakfast, that’s so,” said Henry. “Yes,” said the old man, “light breakfast; two pancake J.” “Well, come down stairs and well fix up something to eat right away. You mustn’t wait for dinner.” “Chargedme a dollar,” continued the old man. “Feller set next to me eatin’ grapes an’ oranges an’ oysters an’ stewed chicken an' biled eggs, and I don t know what all, When we got back in the bedroom car I told him I calc’lated that breakfast he et cost sl3. An’ then he told me breakfast was a dollar anyway, w’ether you et much or little. You’d oughter wrote me about that, Henry.” “Well, father, a man can ride pretty comfortably nowadays after he gets used to it,” said Henry as he started to the bath-room for a wash. “Oyes, oyes, a man can ride all right now,” replied the old man. And the smile lasted until he started to wash his face from the faucets over the bath tub.— Detroit Free Press.