The Vestibule Limited Mystery — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE VESTIBULE LIMITED MYSTERY. ii me, and mentally decide what manner of persons they are, whither bound, and upon what sort of mission. Long experience, and a capacity for reading the human countenance, renders one pretty expert at this sort of business—in fact, Iam able to hit the mark under ordinary circumstances two times out of three. It is a species of amusement that grows upon one, especially if traveling daily upon some of the great ferry-boats near New York, or using the elevated roads frequently. Many a dull hour have I passed away in this manner, and profitably, too, for it keeps your wits sharpened, and increases your fund of knowledge concerning the odd fancies of your fellow-men, There are some’strange characters upon the Pennsylvania ferry-boat on this morning in ques- tion, and I manage to amuse myself in studying them as we-speed toward the Jersey side of the noble Hudson. No doubt I myself am set down in the same category by the ordinary every-day pas- sengers, but Quakers are seen too often to cause much comment, especially on a Philadelphia line. I proceed to the ticket-office as soon as we land, and find that a seat and berth have been kept for one Hezekiah Broadbrim, for Chicago. Having secured my ticket, berth check and extra a _ fare ticket, lam ready to board the train. Very naturally the strange business about to engross my attention, though as yet unknown to me, possesses a great attraction. Iam anxious to learn what it may prove to be. All must come in good sivas tea I am comfort- ably settled in my seat, and rolling out of the city, Eomicboo ‘Se aie