Vernon, written and paid for, came near causing me a solitary night on the prairie, unsheltered and unknown.

Hearing that the express train went out Sunday afternoon, I decided to go, so as to have all day at Mt.

Vernon before speaking; but on getting my trunk checked, the baggageman said the train did not stop there.

"Well," said I, "check the trunk to the nearest point at which it does stop," resolving that I would persuade the conductor to stop one minute, anyway.

Accordingly, when the conductor came round, I presented my case as persuasively and eloquently as possible, telling him that I had telegraphed friends to meet me, etc., etc.