Around the World in Eighty Days / Mormon Missionary Encounter
This personage, who had taken the train at Elko, was tall and dark, with black moustache, black stockings, a black silk hat, a black waistcoat, black trousers, a white cravat, and dogskin gloves. He went from one end of the train to the other, and affixed to the door of each car a notice written in manuscript. Passepartout approached and read one of these notices, which stated that Elder William Hitch, Mormon missionary, taking advantage of his presence on train No.
Microstory
As the train chugged through the arid desert, the figure of Elder William Hitch cut a striking silhouette against the dimly lit corridor. His black attire absorbed the sparse light, while the white cravat around his neck fluttered slightly with each rhythmic sway of the train. With each notice he affixed to the doors, he imagined the curious faces that would encounter his words, a mix of hope and trepidation within him as the landscape outside blurred into a canvas of possibility. (AI-generated story)
The description of the tall, dark character serves to heighten the tension surrounding the figure of Elder William Hitch, a Mormon missionary, who represents the intersection of faith and travel during a pivotal period in American history. The meticulous detailing of Hitch's attire not only emphasizes his individuality but also reflects broader societal norms regarding identity and religion in the 19th century. Furthermore, the act of posting notices throughout the train evokes themes of communication and the dissemination of beliefs, which were crucial for missionaries as they navigated a rapidly changing landscape in the West. This snippet captures the essence of a period where train travel symbolized progress, while simultaneously representing the complexities of cultural exchange and missionary zeal. (AI-generated commentary)