RAILWAY MANAGER'S ADVENTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15175, 14 December 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

RAILWAY MANAGER'S ADVENTURES.

WELL-DESERVED LESSON.

FRENCH STATTONMASTER'S SUR-

31. Clavetllk, the new broom on the French State Railways, is sweeping clean. He has 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 the State railways, travelling incognito, underwent lately in Normandy is of interest. He was staying at i a little town in the province when he was suddenly summoned to return to Paris. With his wife he went to the station. They got their tickets promptly. But when it came to having Madame Claveille's " malls" labelled, M. Claveille's progress received a check.

."May I have your attention a moment?" he at length asked the luggage clerk. "I'm busy," said the clerk; "what's the hurry:"

51 Claveille waited. The hour of the train's arrival approached. M. Claveille tried again. " Oh, don't bother," said the clerk, "how can I bo in ten places at one time?" saying which he went somewhere else and ltib M. Claveille standing.

The train was due, so M. Claveille decided to take the matterand the "malle" —into his own hands. As a preliminary he got a label and proceeded to affix it. At this point the clerk reappeared. "Clever, aren't you?" lie said to M. Claveille; "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." Al. Claveille, for reply, removed his coat and hat and handed them to his wife. Having done this he slung the trunk on his back and crossed the platform. Everybody on the station staff turned out to see the amateur porter, and the stationmaster in his white peaked cap laughed most heartily of all. When M. Claveille at length got alongside the " fourgon" there was the ques- { , tion of transferring the load from his back I into it. " Lend me a hand," ho said to La porter who stood by. "Look here, old son," said the porter, "you just sling it in yourself." As he wanted to go by the train, and realised that there was no other way, M. Claveille made another effort and swung off the "malle" successfully into the waggon. 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 train can't wait all day." "Just a minute," said M. Claveille; " what ;s the name of your porter 1" " Ask no questions," replied the stationmaster, "and you will be told no lies." " But I will ask . questions," said M. Claveille, "and won't be told any lies either. May I trouble you to look at this card?"

The stationmaster looked at it and changed colour. "My- good sir," went on M. Claveille, " it uoesn't do for railway servants to bo rudo to passengers. I must ask you to bo good enough to pay off your baggage clork here and now. I want to know you have done it before this train leaves the station. And as for my merry friend the porter, youi 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 see what can ba arranged about you. Do I make myself clear? Go ahead, then."

The stationmaster went out. In two minutes ho returned again, having given the baggage clerk and the porter their conge. " And now," said M. Claveille, " send us off, please. I am afraid wo are late.''