When the Guard Didn't Get the Penny.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 87

When the Guard Didn't Get the Penny.

Whenever I meet a particularly nice, welldressed lady who sweetly asks me to perform many services that are not strictly part of my duty, or indeed the duty of any railway servant, there always comes to ir.y xniitd at> incident of my early days. A lady of the typer described had asked me to do ali manner of things for her—get her a corner seat on the off side, back to the engine, procure a foot-warmer, purchase papers for her, post a letter, place three or four large packages in the carriage, and as far as possible reserve the compartment ior he* These things I did willingly, for, judging from her manner and by other indications, it seemed quite likely that she would present me with at least a shilling—indeed, i had occasional thoughts of a two-shilling piixss or half a crown. Well, the train started, and although the expected tip was not then forthcoming, she said in a sweet voice: '-You won't forget, guard, to help me out at Wadlett." "No, mum," I answered, and at Wadlett I hastened to her compartment, got ali her belosginge out of the train, and in my most insinuating manner and in the tone that indioateb the expectation of a tip as plainly &s actual words themselves can do I said, "Good-morning, mum. I hope you've hadi pleasant journey." She smiled—oh, so sweetly—and said in a honied voice: "Yes, thank you, guard, you have been most attentive. I should like to give you a penny, only I see by the notices that you are not allowed to accept gratuities, and do i-ot wish to get you into trouble. I sha-1 hope to travel by your train when I return, it is so pleasant to have an attentive guard. Good-morning."—From "A Day in the Life of a Railway Guard," in the Royal Magazine.