The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-14
PR0BASCO'S NICKEL.

No person who has ever approached the en-
virons of Cincinnati but is familiar with the
name of Probasco. 1t is cherished name,
and every right-minded citizen, being proud
of it, never fails to sound its praises. Indeed,
it is rumored that strong undercurrent Of
sentiment favors the changing of the name of
the city to Probasco. However that may be,
the title has become endeared to the residents
by reason of the generosity Of its owner He
gave them fountain. Cincinnati needed
fountain, and its people love the gift with a
respectful, keep-at-a safe-distance love not
often surpassed. Cincinnati has not washed
itself clean at this or any other fountain, but
this circums lance does not affect their regard
for the stone structure, with its trucking
streams of water. The town centers there,
the horse cars radiate from the sacred spot,
and if stranger asks the way to any place
whatever, he is directed to the foun-
tain. Naturally, Cincinnatians are interested
in the donor of the fountain, or anyone bear
ing that name, and will therefore accept with
gratitude lesson he has just given them in
the art of economy, by practcing which he
has been enabled to save money wherewith he
may give gifts which rebound to his credit.
Mr.. Henry Probasco lives in Clifton, which
is suburb Of Cincinnati, and is mayor of the
village. He rides on the horse-cars occasion
ally, and provides himself as is the privilege
Of every citizen having the requisite funds,
with six-for-a quarter tickets wherewith to
pay his fare. Whether the Mayor really in
vests his quarters in this manner, or whether
the tickets are a complimentary gift from the
horse-car company, does not appear, but at all
events he is accustomed to tender them in
payment for his rides. On Monday he boarded
a car, but the ticket which he was about to
transfer to the conductors hand suddenly and
mysteriously disappeared, and he was forced
to offer that functionary dime instead, from
which the fve-cent fare was taken. AT
ter the conductor, who, by the way, was boy,
had recorded this receipt of cash upon his
"blue trip slip" the missing ticket, or one like
it, was picked up off the floor of the car. Mr.
Probasco rendered it to the conductor and
wanted his nickel back, but this transfer the
conductor refused to make, notwithstanding
he must have been aware that by his refusal
the passenger would lose fraction of cent
or, in case the tickets were dead head, the
whole five cents. The conductor said the
rules of the company would not permit such a
thing; but of course, this was a mere subter-
fuge, born of the incendiary spirit which is so
rampant in Cincinnati. At all events, Mr.
Probasco recognized the fact that the con
ductOr needed to be suppressed, and, when his
car came back, by the aid of the town marshal,
placed him under arrest. After the lad had
been confined for an hour or so the righteous
and just millionaire kindly relented and or
dered his temporary release, but is probably
viper, so to speak. Instead of accepting his
arrest as mild rebulze at the grasping spirit
of the age, the misguided boy has brought
suit against his would-be educator for So, 900
for false imprisonment. Of course no Cincin-
natl jury will bring in a verdict against their
beloved fellow-citizen and benefactor, should
the case come to trial; but it will undoubtedly
cost him a few dolars-an expense which he
might easily have avoided by killing the con-
ductor on the spot
1t may be of interest in this connection to
note that the nickel was returned to Mr.. Pro-
basco by the car company.
PRESIDENT PORTER, of Yale College, re-
ceiyes a salary of a. 900 n year. while the mo-