The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 102,
June 4, 1892, by Various

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Title: Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 102, June 4, 1892

Author: Various

Release Date: January 10, 2005 [EBook #14652]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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PUNCH,

OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

VOL. 102.

June 4, 1892.

LOST LUGGAGE.

(_OR THE EXPERIENCES OF A "VACUUS VIATOR."_)

_At the Douane, Ostend._--Just off _Princesse Henriette_; passengers
hovering about excitedly with bunches of keys, waiting for their
luggage to be brought ashore. Why can't they take things quietly--like
_me_? _I_ don't worry. Saw my portmanteau and bag labelled at
Victoria. Sure to turn up in due time. Some men when they travel
insist on taking hand-bags into the carriage with them--foolish, when
they might have them put in the van and get rid of all responsibility.
The _douaniers_ are examining the luggage--don't see mine--as yet.
It's all _right_, of course. People who are going on to Brussels and
Antwerp at once would naturally have their luggage brought out first.
Don't see the good of rushing about like that myself. I shall stay the
night here--put up at one of the hotels on the Digue, dine, and get
through the evening pleasantly at the Kursaal--sure to be _something_
going on. Then I can go comfortably on by a mid-day train to-morrow.
Meanwhile my luggage still tarries. If I was a nervous man--luckily
I'm _not_. Come--that's the _bag_ at all events, with everything I
shall want for the night.... Annoying. Some other fellow's bag....
No more luggage being brought out. Getting anxious--at least, just a
shade uneasy. Perhaps if I asked somebody--Accost a Belgian porter;
he wants my baggage ticket. They never gave me any ticket. It _did_
occur to me (in the train) that I had always had my luggage registered
on going abroad before, but I supposed _they_ knew best, and didn't
worry. I came away to get a rest and avoid worry, and I _won't_
worry.... The Porter and I have gone on board to hunt for