1930 The Saloon in the Home

THE YOUNG SAILOR J OHN. Were you at the Band of Hope Festival last night, William'? WILLIAM. Yes-I was there and a gentleman from Head– quarters spoke. JOHN. Did he tell you anything particular'? WILLIAM. Yes. He told us that one day he was sitting in a rail– way carriage waiting for it to start, when he saw a young sailor go along the platform to get into the same train. JOHN. And what about him'? WILLIAM. Well, the gentleman said that be observed that the sailor was what people call "a little drunk." ROBERT. Ah, that was a pity, but sailors often get drunk. I wish they would all sign the pledge. WILLIAM. It would have been well for this young sailor to have done so, for the gentleman told us that they started on their journey and were traveling at express speed, when suddenly the train was brought to a stand still. He looked out of the carriage window, he said, and saw one of the guards gazing at the top of the train. He sprang out, ran up the line toward the guard, and saw 'the young :sailor lying on top of the carriage, and assisted the guard to lift him down and lay him on the grass. · ROBERT. What was the matter with him'? WILLIAM. It seems that he was tipsy, and in his excitement he climbed out of the carriage, mounted on its top, and began to dance a sailor's hornpipe. Whilst doing this his head came in contact with a bridge and he was killed on the spot. JOHN. Poor fellow, haa be heen a Teetotaler he would have been kept from such a dreadful death. [ 33]