It was a balmy summer evening, the moon was in full dress and the stars so bright it looked like they had all left their porch lights on. It was a perfect evening to begin a train trip to Washington state. My father-in-law was in a hospital there after suffering a severe heart attack, and hubbys sister was making the trip to see him. Her daughter and my husband were to take her to the town 10 miles north of us to put her on the train.

     Daughter and mother, Doris, picked up hubby about an hour before the train was scheduled to leave. Doris, always an attractive lady, looked positively lovely, with her lipstick and mascara applied liberally but artfully, and piling in the car, they set out. About an hour later the car returned and hubby was dropped off, they having successfully put Doris on her train.

     As we sat at the table talking about Doris and her trip, we mentioned that we were anxious for her to arrive so that we could get a better picture of father-in-laws recovery.

     Suddenly we heard a light tapping on the door. Whoever would be visiting us at this late hour? When the door was opened, the daughter stood there. Question was, why was she standing in our doorway? Why was she laughing hysterically? Why was Doris standing behind her, also laughing hysterically, the mascara that a few hours ago looked so attractive now running down her face and off her chin.

     Did I happen to mention that two trains left Pembine at the same time each evening? The Soo line went west to the coast and the Milwaukee Road went south to Milwaukee, going through our town on the way.

     Did I mention that they put Doris on the wrong train? Well, they surely did, and she returned home almost before they did. She said that things began to look familiar almost as soon as she left Pembine, and she soon became aware that she was on the train going to Milwaukee, and through our town. Getting off at our depot, she walked the 2 blocks to her daughters home and then to out house to announce the mistake.

     The next night they again carted her off to Pembine and put her on the train for a second time. We sat at the table for a long time waiting for the light tap on the door, but it never came.

     This time they had done it right.