THEY DIDN'T KNOW HIM

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1623, 14 December 1912, Page 3

THEY DIDN'T KNOW HIM

RAILWAY STORY. A WELL-DESEEVED LESSON, M. Claveille, the new broom on the French State Kailways, is sweeping clean (writes the Paris correspondent or the "'Daily Telegraph"). He nas already done wonders, but evidently there are still wonders for him to do. In ample witness whereof this story of an experience which the managing director of tne State Eailways, travelling incognito, underwent the otner day in Normandy' is of interest. He was staying at a little town in tho province when ho was suddenly summoned to return to Paris. With his wife he went to tho station. They got their tickets promptly. ■ But when it came to having Madame Clavcille's "malle" labelled, M. Clayeille's progress received a check.

"May I huve your attention a moment?" he at length asked the luggage clerk. "I'm busy/' said tho clerk; "what's the hurry?" M. Claveille waited. The hour of the train's arrival approached. M. Claveille tried again. "Oh, don't bother," 6aid the clerk, "how can I be in ten places at ono time?" saying which, he went somewhero else, and left M. Claveille standing:

Tho train was due, 60 H. Claveilla decided to take tlie matter—and tho "malle" —into his own hands. As a preliminary lie got a label and proceeded to affix it. At this point the clerk reappeared. "Clever, aren't you?" lio said to M. Clavcille; "much good it will do sticking labels on. That won't get your bag into the van, will it? Perhaps you think it will walk over by itself. H. Claveille, for reply, removed his coat and hat, and handed them to his wife. Having done this lie slung tho trunk on his back and crossed tho platform. Everybody on the station stiff turned out to see the amateur porter," and the stationmaster in his white peaked cap laughed most heartily of all.

When. M. Claveillo at length got alongside the "fourgon," there was the question of transferrin" the Joad from his back into it. "Lend me a hand," ho said to a porter who stood by. "Look here, old son," said tho' porter, "you just sling it in yourself." As he wanted to go by the train., and realised . that there was no othor way, M. Claveille made anothor effort and swung off the "malle" successfully into the wagon. Then he took his hat and coat from his wife's hands, and began to put them on. "Look sharp, there," said the stationmaster, blowing his whistle. "The trdin. can't wait all day."

"Just a minute," 6aid M. Claveille; "what is tho name of your porter?" "Ask no questions," replied the stationmaster, "and you will be told uo lies." "But I will ask questions/' said 11. Clitveille, "and I won't bo told any lies cither. May I trouble you to look at this card?"

The stationmastor looked at it and. changed colour. ' " "Sly (jood 6ir," went on M. Claveille, "it doesn't do , for railway servants to 1» rudo to passengers. I must ask you to bo Rood enough to.pay off your baggage clerk here and now. I want to know you have done it before tliis train leaves tho station. And as for my merry friend tho porter, you had better send him to laugh outside the station. As for yourself, I daresay you must realise that you are not exactly built for your job. When I get to Paris I shall soo what can bo arranged about you. Do I make myself clear? Go : ahead, then." Tho stationmaster went out. In two minutes he returned .again, having given the baggage clerk and the porter theit conge. "And now," said M. Claveille, "send us off, please. I am afraid we are late."