Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-10-11
THE TABLES TURNED.
A Oabman Charges Gov Stanford $500
for Five Miles.

he endangered the good name OF the
Chronicle by entering its editorial
room. The Nihilist declared that he
had "a 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:
''It's fine weather at the bay, and
everybody who can afford it takes n
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 rcmarked:
.'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 q hack, and then
we can enjoy 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.
"What's the fare?" asked the Gov
ernor.
'Only SO, Guv'nur."
"What!" yelled Stanford and Gage in
the same breath.
Fifteen dollars" repeated cabby,
unbuttdning his coat and splitting on his
hands.
''But, my good man." protested the
Governor, "such q charge is exorbitant.
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 rs 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 ut Steve, who began TO grin.
TO my railroads, but-but-er, now if
you charge us SO to bring us to the
park, what on earth would you charge
us to take us to the Cliff House,"
Five dollars. y
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-iust as you fellers do when you
charge $500 for drawing q carload of
stuff from New York TO Frisco, and
make it $500 if you drop car ut
Elko, about 500 miles nearer New
York.
1t was Steve's turn to cough and the
Governors to grin.
WELL" said the Governor with Il
sigh, take us TO the Cliff"
AZ luC Win l1OusO tuC oONNlhpi OhN
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 clappcd him
self on the leg and cried out:
"By Jove, Governor! / forgot that
load of coal of Smiths that the Sheriff
is to sell ut 3 o'clock. It's O'Clock
now II we miss that n chance to save
at least $1,000 will be gone"
"GOt 4 LcHvcuS." cried the Governor,
snatching Out his watch, lets hurry
back at once. Driver! Oh, driverr'
Here, sir" answered cabby, who
had been leaning over the balcony para
pet, within earshot, "here, SIR
I'VE want TO return to town immcdi-
ately," cried Gage.
"Ya-s. / s pose so," said cabby, slow
ly chewing n straw, ''but I'll take my
pay in advance, if it's all tic same to
you gents"
The Governor growled somewhat be-
tween his teeth, and rendered him So.
"'Tant enough" says cabby con-
temptuously.
''In 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.
Give hundred and not cent less"
replied cabby.
''How, sir-er -damme, sir! how do
you dare ask such n price for driving
two gentlemen four or five milesP6
spur.ed the Governor.
81 base my charge on what the traf-
nc will bear. same rs the railroad
does, " replied the hackman with a
grin. IF taters is sclin' in Los An
geles for 90 cents n bushcl, and ut So n |
bushel ut Tuscon, you fcllers charge the !
poor devil of Il rancher $3.50 bushcl !
to haul his taters to Tuscon and oobbc !
all the profit. Now, amt rs hocgish
rs that l heerd Mr.. Gage say If he
could get into town by 5 o'clock he
could make $1,000. AS there amt no /
other hack here I'm rs good monopo.
ly for this wunst rs any blasted railroad
on earth; but amt so greedy. l don't
want all you can make by usin' NV
hack. I'm willin' to get along with
half"
With dismal groan the Governor
and Steve empticd their pockets and
counted out the money.
snow, see here" said cabby, as he
closed the door Of tho hack on his vic.
Tins, 1--WE done for wunst what YOU
boosters, day In an day out, have been
doin' for years, an made you millions
by it. i happened TO be able to give
you small dose of yer own medicine