Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-30
DOES NIGHT MAKE RIemTs
The Tables Turned-A Eiackman
who Understands the Rules
of Railroad Tariffs.

ing hNendangered the good name of
the Chr@icle by entering its editor
ial room. The Nihilist declared that
he had "a good thing on Stanford and
Steve Gage" but he supposed the
Chronicle, like the rest eff the corrupt
and time serving press, would be
afraid to publish it
Tell your story" said tho editor
with dignity, gazing inquiringly at the
boot Of the Socialist, which was rest
ing upon the editorial table. The
boot remained there, however, while
the following ridiculous narrative was
delivered:
It's fine weather at the bay, and
everybody who can afford it takes
spin occasionally outSof the dust and
heat. Last Saturday Stanford and
Gage were walking along Kearney
street, and when they got to the cor
uer of Bush the Governor took off his
hat, wiped his brow and remarked:
Steve, it's too hot for anything.
What do you say to breath Of fresh
air?'
Have we timer inquired Mr..
Gage, pulling out his watch. So did
the Governor, who replied:
There ism t anything very pressing
for couple of hours, | guess, aud we
may as well take spin out to the park
1t ism t worth while to have out my
horses. Let's take hack, and then
we can enjoy a walk when we get
there. It'll be better than riding
around the drives"
So they got into coupe and were
driven out to Golden Gate Park. At
the entrance the Governor and Gage
alighted.
What's the fareP" asked the Gov
ernor.
"On'y SIS, Guy'nur."
what" yelled Stanford and Gage
in the same breath.
Fifteen dollars" repeated cabby,
unbuttoning his coat and splitting on
his hands.
But my good man." protested the
Governor, such a charge is exorbi-
tant. The law confines you to a res-
sonable price for your services, and
you can be arrested and punished for
such violation of the ordinance.
Hang the law" growled cabby.
My money bought and paid for this
hack an HOSES, an Guv'nur Stanford
said in his letter to the New York
Chamber of Commerce, the essence oil
ownership is control. :"
Hem r coughed the Governor,
looking slyly at Steve, who began to
grin. That's all we'll enough when
applied to my railroads, but-but--er,
now you charge us fifteen dollars to
bring US to the park, what on earth
would you charge us to take us to the
Cliff House p
Five dollars"
From here?"
mo; from the city"
But it's twice the distance"
Eyes, but it's competitive point.
Fifteen to the park, five to the Cliff.
No hoggin' about it. Through rates
to the Cliff, local rates back to the
park added-just as you fellers do
when you charge $500 for drawing a
carload of stuff from New York to
Frisco, and make it $500 if you drop
the car at Elko, about 500 miles nearer
New York.
1t was Steve's turn to cough and
| the Governors to grin.
"Well," said the Governor with a
sigh, take us to the Cliff.
At the Cliff House the Governor
and Stephen drank their beer and
smoked a cigar, and listened to the
barking Of the seals, aud filled their
lungs with the sea breeze. Sud- enly
Steve clasped himself on the legs and
cried out:
"By Jove, Govenorl forgot that
lot of coal Of Smiths that the Sheriff
is to sell at o'clock. It's two now
If we miss that, chance to save at
least thousand dollars will be gone. y
Good heaveRsl' cried the Governor
snatching out his watch, lets hurry
back at once. Driverl Oh, driVerl''
| Here, SIR answered cabby, who
had been leaning over the balcony
parapet within ear-shot, there sir.
1--WE want to return to town imme.
diately," cried Mr.. Gage.
"Ya-as, l s'pose so, said cabby
slowly chewing straw, but I'll take
my pay in advance, if it's all the same
to you, gents"
The Governor growled somewhat
between his teeth.and rendered hin
| five dollars.
''Taint enough" said cabby con
temptuously.
I'm heavens name. how far will
your extortion go?" snorted the Gov
ernor. How much more do yor
want2"
Five hundred more" camly re-
piled the hackman.
"HeyP" shrieked Steve and the
Governor.
Five hundred, an not cent less"
replied cabby.
How sir-er--damme, sir how d.
you dare ask such price for driving
two gentlemen four or FIVE miles?'
spurted the Governor.
II based my charge on what tn,
traffic will bear, same as the railroads
does, replied the hackman, with {
grin. IF taters is sellin in Los An
gelos for fifty cents bushel and at 50
a bushel at Tucson, you fellerI charg,
the poor devil of a rancher - 80 I
, bushel to haul his taters to Tucson
and gobble all the profit. Now,
amt as hOggish as that. | heered Mr.
&. Gage say il he could get into town BY
, 3 o'clock he could make Thousand
dollars As there ain no other hack
here, I'm as good monopoly for this
wunst as any blasted railroadon earth