The Dobleys (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900. Excerpt: ... PATENT TAGS "And don't forget the labels for checking the trunks," said Mrs. Dobley as she bade her husband good-by on the piazza, and he started to catch his train for town. "When one is moving from one hotel to another at this season of the year it is very important to have trunks plainly labelled and carefully checked." "I'll bring the labels," said Dobley; "but this trunk-checking is all a hideous mistake. What are the express companies for, anyhow? It is much more businesslike to have a trunk expressed directly to its destination." "I've always checked my trunks and had them with me on the same train," said Mrs. Dobley. "It seems safer. You always know they are there when you arrive, too." "Yes, and you always rush around like a wet hen at stations, tracking the thing up, or you have me do it. I tell you, it's all a mistake. I'll demonstrate this trip that trunk-checking is losing its popularity with up-to-date people." "Very well," said Mrs. Dobley, " but it will be the first time in my life that I ever travelled without checking my trunk." "Never too late to make a good beginning, my dear," said Dobley, stepping jauntily into the hack that was waiting for him. "Just let your Uncle Dud manage this, will you?" The train was late, so Dobley stepped into the express office at the station and gave the agent a cigar. "I'm trying to find out something, expressman," he said. "My wife says that the only way to travel is to check a trunk and take it along with one on the train as baggage, you understand. Now, I think it's better to ship it direct from one address to another, more economical and quicker. For instance, I want to go from the Out-of-Reach Hotel here to the High-Ball Inn at Hazelhurst on Saturday. My wife and I have three trunks. Now, what is the...