and three square cushions stuffed with straw, and covered with thin

cotton. The benches can be made to face each other in pairs, for

the backs are reversible. On the approach of night the boards are

laid from bench to bench, making a couch wide enough for two, and

long enough for a man of the middle height; and the chums lie down

side by side upon the cushions with the head to the conductor's van

and the feet to the engine. When the train is full, of course this

plan is impossible, for there must not be more than one to every

bench, neither can it be carried out unless the chums agree. It

was to bring about this last condition that our white-haired

official now bestirred himself. He made a most active master of

ceremonies, introducing likely couples, and even guaranteeing the

amiability and honesty of each. The greater the number of happy

couples the better for his pocket, for it was he who sold the raw

material of the beds. His price for one board and three straw

cushions began with two dollars and a half; but before the train

left, and, I am sorry to say, long after I had purchased mine, it

had fallen to one dollar and a half.

The match-maker had a difficulty with me; perhaps, like some

ladies, I showed myself too eager for union at any price; but

certainly the first who was picked out to be my bedfellow, declined

the honour without thanks. He was an old, heavy, slow-spoken man,

I think from Yankeeland, looked me all over with great timidity,

and then began to excuse himself in broken phrases. He didn't know

the young man, he said. The young man might be very honest, but

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