The Press., 1883-12-20
From the Chicago Tribunel A CONDUCTORS POINT OF VIEW.

One has no idea of the many tricks that are resorted to in order to beat the con- pany out of paltry nickel. For instance, we will leave downtown in the evening with such a heavy load that the car is sew eral blocks on the north side of the river before the conductor can get through the car and to the rear platform to collect the fares there. When the car had started from the south side terminus this platform had been so filled that it was almost im- possible to obtain foothold, but when the conductor sings out "Fares, please P there are only half dozen remaining. Anoth- CT dodge is to get on the car SGom the fro, platform about the time it reaches the bridge and the conductor has reached the rear end ill collecting This class of beats open the front door and step inside, trust ing to luck not to be noticed by either con- ductor or driver. Frequently these parties will insist, on being asked, that they have paid their fares, and as a rule the conduc- tor is in such doubt that they receive the benefit.
 But of course in these schemes it is the company that suffers," continued the con- ductor, "and people think it is no partic- ular concern to the employe but in the 1 majority of lses the servant is just as in- dignaut at the tricks as the corporation giving him employment. But they don't stop with attempts to defraud the com pany-the conductor frequently suffers at 1 their hands. had an instance in com ing down the other night. An old gentle man-no, that's not the word for such thing as him-who is worth is worth cool $100, ,000, got on my car. It was fairly | we'll crowded. The old man sat next to a well-known attorney. When collected his fare he handed me a $5 bill. I gave him the exact change, counting 1t twice,as I always do, to prevent mistake. Then collected another fare and was about to go back to the rear platform, when the old man stopped me.
 "Here, conductor" says he, ''I am an old man and can't see very good, but can't make out the right change here, and I think it's quarter short"
 ''I gave the right change, I am sure," said I.
 "Well, count this for yourself" said he. 'sYoull find it as I have stated."
 So counted it over, and, sure enough, the old man was apparently right said something about 1t being strange, and about that time the old fellow clustered up and wanted to know if the North side Company paid it's conductors to cheat peo- pie, and intimated that he would see that the matter went to headquarters. We'll, poor man with a family on his hands can't always do as he pleases, even in this land of the free, and was about to hand him over another quarter when the attorney, who afterward remembered had been fdgeting around uneasily all the time, said:
 "Don't you do anything of the klnd. The old man is lying and he knows it. He has slipped that piece of money on the seat beneath him, and he knows it."
 At first the old man was disposed to re- sent these plain-spoken words, but the lawyer was determined, and became more courageous when I found had a friend So We induced the old man to get up, and there, sure enough, was the missing coin. The old wretch made vain effort to show surprise and was anxious to smooth mat ters over, but neither the lawyer nor my self was disposed to disguise our contempt for him, and at the next street he alighted from the Car. On several occasions since then he has been about to get on my car, but on seeing me, would sneak away and wait for another