Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-04-07
Mr., .sutserw.ck,s Gas B.il.

Mr. ButterWlck's Gas Bill.
During one of the few cold snaps
that we have had this winter the gas
meter in MIR. Butterwick's house was
frozen. Mr.. Butter wick attempted to
thaw it out by pouring hot water over
it; but after spending an hour upon
the effort, he emerged from the con
test with the meter with his feet and
trowsers wet, his hair full Of dust and
bwebs, and his temper at fever
heat. After studying hrw' he should
get rid of the ice in the meter, he con-
Guided to use force for the purpose,
and SO, Selling a hot poker, he jam
med it through a vent hole aud stirred
it around inside of the meter with con-
siderable amout of vigor. He felt the
ice give way, and he heard the wheels
buzz around with rather more We
hemence than usual. Then he went
up stairs.
He noticed for three or four days
that the internal machinery OF that
meter seemed to be rafting around in
remarkable manuer. 1t coul be
heard all the over the house. But he
was pleased to find that it was working
again in spite of the cold weather, and
he retains d his serenity.
About two weeks afterward his gas
| bill came. It accused him of burning
during the quarter, 1,5U0, 600 feet OF
gas, and it called on him to settle to
the extent of nearly $3.50, 900. Before
Mr.. Butterwick's hair had had time
| to descend after the first shock, he put
on his hat and went down to the gas
Office. He addressed one of the clerks
How znuch gas did you make at the
Blank works last quarter.
1 dunno; about a million feet,
recken.
Well, yov'e charged me i'll my bill
| for burning half million more than
you made; want you to correct it. p"
LESS see the bill. Hm-m-m-this
is all right. It's taken off the meter
That's what the meter says.
Spose'n it does; I couldn't have
burned more'n you made.
| Can't help that. The meter can't lie
Well, but how d'you account for the
difference?
Dunno. 'Taint our business to &C
| rosiog and poking around after scien
tific truth. We depend on the meter
If that says you burned six milllo1
| feet, why you must have burned 1t
even if we never made foot of gas GU
at the works.
| To tell the honest truth, said But
terwick, that meter was frozen, and
stirred it up with a poker and set i
whizzing around.
Price Just the same, said the clerk
We charge for pokers just like we do
for gas.
You amt actually going to have thu
audacity to ask me to pay $3.50, 900 OF
account of that poker?
If it was 500, 600 I'd take it with
calmness that would surprise you
Pay up or we'll turn off the gas.
Turn it off and be hanged, explained
Butterwick, as he emerged from tn
Office, tearing his bill to fragments
Then he went home. and grasplng TIA
poker he approached the meter. L
had registered another million fee
since the bill was made ont. It wa
running up score of a hundred fee
minute In month Butterwlcl
would have owed the gas compan.
more than the United States govern
ment owes it creditors. SO he bea
the meter into a shapeless mass, tossed
it into he street, and turned the ga
| inside the cellar.
He is Low sitting up at night
writing an essay on Our Grinding
Monopolies" by the light of Il keroaen'
J lamp.