Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-12-19
THE TABLES TURNED.
A Cabman Charges Gov Stanford $500
for Five Miles.

A Communnistc person identified
with the dangerous classes Of the Com
stock, and notorious for his contempt
of vested rights, has just returned from
visit to San Francisco. This morning
he endangered the good name Of the
Chronicle by entering its editorial
room. Tho Nihilist declared that he
had ~ good thing on Stanford and
Steve Gage" but he supposed the
Chronicle, like the rest Of the corrupt
and time-serving press, would be afraid
to publish it. ....
"Tell your story" said the editor
with dignity, gazing inquiringly at the
boot OF the Socialist, which was resting
upon the editorial table. The boot re-
NAMED there, however, while the fol-
lowing ridiculous narrative was deliv-
cred:
"lt's fine weather at the bay, and
everybody who can afford it takes q
spin occasionally out Of the dust and
heat. Last Saturday Stanford and
Gage were walking along Kearney
street, and when they got to the corner
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 Gov
ernor, who replied:
"There isn't anything very pressing
for couple of hours, l guess, and we
may as well take spin out in the park.
1t isn't worth while TO have out my
horses. Let's take hack, and then
we can enjoy y walk when we get
there. It'll be better than riding around
the drives"
So they got into a coupe and were
driven out to Golden Gate Park. At the
entrance the Governor and Gage
alighted.
"Wliat's the fare?" asked the Gov
ernor.
"Only Sl5, Guv'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 charge is cxorbitant.
The law confines you TO reasonable
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 bosses, an as Guv'nor STAN
ford said in his letter to the New York
Chamber of Commerce, the essence of
ownership is control" "
"Hem' coughed the Governor, look
ing slyly at Steve, who began to grin.
That's all well enough when applied
to my railroads, but-but-er, now if
you charge us Sl5 to bring US to the
park, what on earth would you charge
us to take us to the Cliff House?"
Five dollars
"From here?"
"No; from the city"
"But it's twice the distanceH'
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 carload Of
stuff from New York to Frisco and
make it $500 if you drop 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 q
cigar, and listened to the barking of the
seals, and filled their lungs with sea
breeze, Suddenly Steve clapped him
self on the leg and cried out:
"By Jove, Governors l forgot that
load OF coal of Smiths that the Sheriff
is to sell at 3 O'Clock. It's o'clock
now. If we miss that chance to save
at least 81 900 will be gone"
Good hcavens"' cried the Governor,
snatching out his watch, "let's hurry
back at once. Driver! Oh, driver!'
Here, SIR" answered cabby, who
had been leaning over the balcony para
pet, within earshot, "here, sir.
1--WE want to return to town immedi-
ately," cried Gage.
"Ya-s, l s'pose So" said cabby, slow
ly chewing 4 straw, but I'll take my
pay in advance, if it's all the same to
you gents"
The Governor growled somewhat be-
tween his teeth, and rendered him S..
faint enough" says cabby con-
temptuously.
I'm Heavens name. how far will
your extortion go?" shouted the Gov
ernor. "How much do you want?"
Five hundred more" calmly replied
the hackman.
"Hey?" shrieked Steve and the Gov
ernor.
Five hundred and not \ cent less"
replied cabby.
How, sir-er-damme, sir! how do
you dare ask such price for driving
two gentlemen four or five miles?'
spurted the Governor.
II base my charge on what the traf-
tic will bear same as the railroad
does, replied the hackman with
erin. If taers is sellin in Los An
geles for SO cents bushel, and at So
bushel at Tuscon, you fellers charge the
poor devil of a rancher $3.50 bushel
TO haul his taters to Tuscon and gobble
all the profit. Now, amt as hoggish
rs that. | heerd Mr.. Gage say if he
could get into town by 8 o'clock he
could make $1,000. As there amt no
other hack here I'm as good monopo-
" for this wunst rs any blasted railroad
on earth; but amt SO greedy. 1 don't
want all you can make by usin my
hack. I'm willin' to get along with
half"
With a dismal groan the Governor
and Steve empticd their pockets and
counted out the money.
Nov, see here" said cabby, as he
closed the door of the hack on his VIC
tims, 1--WE done for wunst what you
ROSTERS, day in an day out, have been
dom for years, an made you millions
by it. l happened to be able to give
you a small dose of yer own medicine
for wunst, an don't want you to do
no kickin'; l know you kin send me to
Jail for runnin' my business on your
principles, but if you jails me, III have
to have yer blood when 1 get out, an
don't yer forget it."