Show f Wo A An Early Morning Scene at the Depot IT was near past half-past two on a bleak morning in early March March- when in company company company com com- pany with my friend Max we reluctantly left our lodgings and venturing out into the rain we proceeded down the dreary streets toward the Union depot We expected a friend to arrive on the early morning train from the East after an absence of some ten months on a European trip The night was dark and the light of the dim street-lamps street which flared and flickered under the influence of gusts of wind and rain served only to add to the existing gloominess All was quiet in fact the silence was almost oppressive except at times it was interrupted by the clear almost metallic sound of a policeman's measured tread as he patrolled up and down the paved sidewalk or the noise of a street- street cab ab as it rattled over the stony street with its driver perched high upon his seat swaying to and fro as the cab bounced over a cobblestone or bounded over the numerous car tracks The depot presented a weird contrast to the sleeping city about Here all was excitement and haste Porters flew new newby by carrying hand-bags hand and luggage and rolled out monstrous trucks piled high with trunks and boxes which they deposited on the platform near where the car baggage-car would most likely s stop op for the Flyer stopped only long enough to let off passengers take on baggage and change engine and crew when it re-organized re as asa s a local train going south Mail wagons drove up at a brisk pace for mail wagons seem always to tobe tobe tobe be in a hurry and hardly had the horses stopped when a half-dozen half men each taking a number of mail-bags mail on his shoulder had thrown the entire mail upon two long light trucks which also were quickly run up near the track Along the edge of the depot were drawn up innumerable street-cabs street j busses and carriages whose drivers 1 clad in heavy overcoats played leapfrog leapfrog leapfrog leap leap- frog or sparred with one another to keep z warm for although it was not actually cold the drizzling rain made the air disagreeable and uncomfortable Presently a one-legged one signal-man signal who had evidently grown old in the service of the ra railroad came up carrying carrying carrying carry carry- ing a green lantern which denotes a clear track in his hand Then came several dusky wheel testers each with a ahammer ahammer ahammer hammer in one hand and a lantern swung over the other ther arm near the shoulder in a way peculiar to railroad men These were closely followed by bythe bythe the conductor who was to rake ake the train over the next division with his neat blue uniform gold banded cap and spotless shoes He evidently had just been awakened from his sl sleep ep for he rubbed his eyes and yawned as if he was trying to wake himself up Suddenly a sharp shrill whistle was heard which was soon followed by a longer continued blast and the glare of the locomotive was almost dazzling as the train rounded the curve The signal signal man man placed his green lantern upon the switch post the wheel sounders lined up along the track the men baggage-men stood near their heavily- heavily laden trucks while more empty ones were drawn up to receive the baggage and express from the incoming train As the train pulled in all seemed to be in confusion The shrill cry of the runners hotel-runners was mingled with the cabmen's Carriage here Cab sir or beckoning with their fingers Only fifty cents each gentlemen We Ve looked about for our expected friend but he was nowhere to be seen Had he disappointed us or had we missed him in the confusion The depot was now deserted the train had gone on the cabs and carriages carriages car car- and busses had driven away with i I their passengers and hardly a person could be seen It It was hard for one to believe that but five minutes ago this same place was vas so alive with men and action So tired and disgusted we ve wended our way home only to find r awaiting us upon our arrival the following following follow follow- ing telegram Denver 95 Have been delayed on account of accident Will Win arrive at 4 p. p pm p.m. m. m to tomorrow too to- to o morrow signed Leon L. L Waiters Watters r 1 NH |