Some people get into trouble by asking direction of
strangers about them, rather than of the proper officials.
Ticket agents, conductors, pursers, stewardesses, and police-
men, are responsible persons, part of whose business is to
direct strangers. If irresponsible persons mislead you by
accident or design, you have generally yourself to blame.
Other people, especially women traveling alone and unused
to traveling, make themselves very annoying and provoke
discourteous answers by asking very foolish, unnecessary
questions of the officers of the road, or requesting something
76
ON HABITS AND MANNERS.
they have no authority or right to do. As we have said
elsewhere, keep your eyes open. Read notices ; they are put
up on purpose to be read. When you need to make inqui-
ries, make them clearly and modestly of the proper persons,
and you will seldom receive anything but a courteous an-
swer, for which or for any help rendered even by one who is
paid to do it, it is always proper to say " Thank you." lie
cannot be paid for the courtesy with which he does his duty,
except by corresponding courtesy in those for whom he does it.
When you approach your destination, or have to change
oars, think about your trunk. Don't forget to check it, and
never give up your check except to an official, or without a
receipt. It is always well to look when your trunk is check-
ed, to be sure that the numbers correspond, on the check you
hold and that on your trunk. It is well to also write the
number of your check, and the name or letters on it, in your
note book. This will enable the railroad or express company
to trace your trunk if it is lost. If you give your trunk to
an express agent be sure that he takes the right address and
check number, and take care of the receipt he gives you. It
is safe to give your check to a city hack driver to get your
trunk if you are going to take it on the carriage with you;
his hack is numbered and he is responsible. But if you are
not going with it, don't give your trunk or check to any man
who oflers to take it, with no receipt. Many trunks have
ON HABITS AND MANNERS
77
been stolen in this way. If you don't know how to manage,
ask the conductor, or stewardess, or a policeman, according
to where you may be. But keep your own wits about you,
and when you leave car or boat or station, count your be-
longings and see that you leave nothing behind. If you
should ever leave anything, go to the office of the company,
or the station, where many things thus lost are brought.
It is always well to have everything clearly marked with
your name — satchel, umbrella, shawl strap, overshoes, pocket
book, etc.
Page 33
Presented as published in 1888. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Some people get into trouble by asking direction of strangers about them, rather than of the proper officials. Ticket agents, conductors, pursers, stewardesses, and policemen, are responsible persons, part of whose business is to direct strangers. If irresponsible persons mislead you by accident or design, you have generally yourself to blame. Other people, especially women traveling alone and unused to traveling, make themselves very annoying and provoke discourteous answers by asking very foolish, unnecessary questions of the officers of the road, or requesting something
they have no authority or right to do. As we have said elsewhere, keep your eyes open. Read notices ; they are put up on purpose to be read. When you need to make inquiries, make them clearly and modestly of the proper persons, and you will seldom receive anything but a courteous answer, for which or for any help rendered even by one who is paid to do it, it is always proper to say "Thank you." lie cannot be paid for the courtesy with which he does his duty, except by corresponding courtesy in those for whom he does it.
When you approach your destination, or have to change oars, think about your trunk. Don't forget to check it, and never give up your check except to an official, or without a receipt. It is always well to look when your trunk is checked, to be sure that the numbers correspond, on the check you hold and that on your trunk. It is well to also write the number of your check, and the name or letters on it, in your note book. This will enable the railroad or express company to trace your trunk if it is lost. If you give your trunk to an express agent be sure that he takes the right address and check number, and take care of the receipt he gives you. It is safe to give your check to a city hack driver to get your trunk if you are going to take it on the carriage with you; his hack is numbered and he is responsible. But if you are not going with it, don't give your trunk or check to any man who oflers to take it, with no receipt. Many trunks have
been stolen in this way. If you don't know how to manage, ask the conductor, or stewardess, or a policeman, according to where you may be. But keep your own wits about you, and when you leave car or boat or station, count your belongings and see that you leave nothing behind. If you should ever leave anything, go to the office of the company, or the station, where many things thus lost are brought. It is always well to have everything clearly marked with your name — satchel, umbrella, shawl strap, overshoes, pocket book, etc.