Trains That Met in the Blizzard; A Composite Romance Being a Chronicle of the Extraordinary Adventure of a Party of Twelve Men and One Woman in the Great American Blizzard, March 12, 1888

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896. Excerpt: ... rupted the dry actor. "We discovered a tutor some time ago." "Yes, I'm a drummer, selling a popular line of corsets"--and here the idea struck the crafty salesman that he might indirectly profit by the advertisement--"the Three C's, or Cape Cod Corset. I luckily have a few samples in my bag somewhere in this coldstorage warehouse, and although they are too elaborate and expensive for ordinary wear, being manufactured especially for brides, I freely and most respectfully donate any or all of them to the brave and unfortunate lady." (Sensation.) The Jolly Drummer. "I thank you, sir," returned Hero, wheezing, and with a pitiful tremor to her words; " but really I cannot attire myself wholly in corsets. One will do." Then, above the sound of the Drummer's scuffling across the floor in quest of his sample case, was heard the Tragedian's classic voice: "' We number nothing that we spend for you; Our duty is so rich, so infinite, That we may do it still without accompt. Vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face, That we, like savages, may worship it.'" There were some who heard this fine elocution but imperfectly, for the agile Drummer collided with the porter, kicking him in the shins, a darkey's tender spot, and so converted the semi-peaceful habitation into a howling wilderness. The by-this-time-dilapidated porter sat on the floor and rubbed his shins and performed various agonizing feats of contortion such as would have done credit to a boa-constrictor. And then the wet actor in his mysterious mameuvres of black art fell prostrate over him, and in turn with his own feet upset the unoffending pedagogue, who was standing by, mentally absorbed in the mysteries of the proverb, "All things come to those who wait." The weight in this instance, however, was too b...