The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-11-16
Gencral Misfellanu.
All About Two Cent.

Colonel Burnhann, the polite and popular
mayors marshal-and more prompt and
impartial meter-out of justice never filled the
position-has some queer cases brought be-
fore him. Among those presenting them
selves to-day to prefer complaints. was we'll
known commandant of one of our city mill
tarv regiments-a stern and unhending dis
ciplinarian, who believes the maintenance OF
ones rights should be, under all circumstan-
ces, a paramount and ruling principle. Ac-
companying him were two ladies-hs wife
and handsome niece. Following them were
policeman and roughly clad man Of mid
die age, carrying a whip in his hand.
Col. - told his story. He and his wife
and niece took seats in Broadway omnibus
to ride to South ferry. He passed to the
driver ten cent piece and two fivepences to
pay their fares. The driver passed back 70
change and on his demanding two cents the
former declared he had pad him ouly eight
cen cents. He expostulated-threatened.-
Expostulations and threats were of no avail.
Seeing a policeman, he had the driver arrest
ed.
"There the miserable scamp is" wound up
the colonel, pointing at the arrested Jehu
who. in the assumption of innocent looks
might have sat for the portrait of Arlstldes
.And there is miserable miser, who has
brought me here for paltry two cents, re-
sponded the unabashed driver.
"You confess,then, Withholding two cents,
said Col. Burnhanl.
NO, sir the man only gave me three
fares would swear to it."
Il would swear gave you twenty cents,
reioined the complaining colonel.
"NIy oath is as good as yours" responded
the driver.
"Here is a Bible, We will see," said th'
marshal.
Kissing the cover of the sacred volume
the complainant reiterated his accusation un
der cath. The Bible was presented to tn
driver, who kissed it.
"Now, do you solemnly swear you received
only eighteen cents from this gentleman ?
asked Col. Burnham. "Remembcr the pen
atty of perjury"
"You have got me tight l won't swea
false" responded the driver, little humlla
ted now in his manner; "the man did give m
twenty cents"
wv nat Is your Hdillc dShcU luc MAJ oHo
"William B!oodgood."
"Your license is revoked"
"But let me explain l have to-
IL will listen to TO explanations"
Gan: say word have wife an
seven children DEPENDING
81 will listen to nothing" said Col. Burr
ham IA man who would steal two cen'
would steal two hundred dollars if he had
v chance"
r "Perhaps the man will be honesti in future
IS beseechingly uttered the niece.
"And sure will" said the driver, "for m
wife and children's sake will /; here are tt
two cents"
n at was not the money | wanted" said tt
es complaining colonel. Il wished to give yc
and all dishonest drivers lesson"
s Col. Burnham and the complainant viii
pered together few seconds. The marsh
told the driver he would not take away
license. The driver was completely humble
t. Down his brawny cheeks rolled big tears
10 1t was with difficulty he could express b
gratitude for the leniency shown him. I
>. he left he bowed gratefully to the Young
Is DIV to whose intercession he evidently attri
uted his restoration to the place from whit
,c he had been few minutes before deposed.
A few sucn energetic men as the complai
ant in the above case, aided by our prese
On prompt city marshal, would bring otende
&C to speedy justice and etfectually stop t
- manifold swindles every day practiced wi
IMMUNITY in our midst-N. Y. World.