Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1874 — Hints to Railway Travelers. [ARTICLE]

Hints to Railway Travelers.

Do not get on the train till it is just ready to start. . Jr Then stand on the steps and talk with your acquaintances till the last minute. You may never see them again, and it is highly important that you shall say all you can think of to them. People who are getting on board the cars in a hurry will like to crowd around you, and step by you, and over you, and get their ribs against your elbows and carpet-bag, and bark their shins on your dressing-case, and tear their lace flounces on the point of your umbrella. Of course they will, and be thankful for the privilege. After you get into the cars put yourself in position in the aisle—throw your head well back and stand still three or four minutes looking about you for the best seat. All the other people who want to get seats will be pleased to stand behind you and wait until you decide. After you do decide, walk along independently with your arms stuck out and your carpet-bag and other bundles on each side of you. No matter if you do hit them against the filmy hats and bonnets of the ladies and knock them all askew! Women have no business to wear such flimsy head-gear! Why don’t they try and be sensible, and wear stove-pipe hats like the men? After you reach your seat fix yourself therein, and turn over the next seat to it for your baggage. No person who is well posted in traveling ever puts his baggage in the racks. These things are put into railway cars solely for ornament. The company never expect anybody to use them. Spread yourself out on the seat to your fullest extent and look over the news paper. Eat peanuts, and pitch the shells out of the window in the next seat. What if the wind does cause the shells to fly back in the face of the lady who sits there? That is no affair of yours. She has no business sitting there! Women should be at home sewing on buttons, and attending to things generally. - Peanut shells are perfectly harmless, and nobody can complain of having them flung at them. Have your ticket packed away in the innermost recess of your pocket-book—-you might lose it if it were not —and keep the conductor waiting five minutes w’hile you fish it out. Railway conductors are insulting soft of fellows, and should be made to wait. It teaches them their place. Ask everybody on the train - about the next stopping place, and then call the conductor and ask him. It will show’ the people that you are not to be swindled. When you reach your journey’s end you get but in the aisle in the way of all those who want to alight, and stand there while you button up your coat and put on your muffler. Take your own time, Let the conductor shout -“ Smithville! All out for Smithville!” till he is hoarse—let the frantic fireman ring the bell till reason totters on her thronejust you take your time! You have paid your money, and you have a right to stand where you please! When you do begin to stdp on the steps of the car and talk with the various hackmen who solicit your patronage in regard to the price of board at their hotels, and if any gentleman asks you to step dow n and let a lady pa ss give him to understand that you can attend to your own business. If you follow these rules closely every one will be pleased to see you on the train, and the company, if it be at all a reasonable one, will doubtless give you a free pass.— Kate Th-rrn, in Keu> York Weekly.