Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-04
The va0ishtmI Ticket
TIE YouEa MAN WHO TRIED TO CHEAT TEE ELE-
WAITED ROAD.


TIE YouNa NAN wHo TRIED TO CHEAT TIE ELE-
WAITED ROAD.
From the New York Timsa
The scheming young man was depressed. Holi-
days or no holidays he felt himself abused by the
world In general and the elevated roads In particu-
lar, and as he trudged BY one station and Travelled
on through the cold TO the next, his temper lost
what little sweetness It had had before. As he
climbed the stairs to the station in the air he drew
out OF an inner pocket battered three-cent piece
and tEo pennies slightly relieved look came
before at the ticket-seller's window. and then be
laid down his coins almost boldly and picked up
through the hole in the window. A moment later
he was settled In the last seat OF the last car,
pouring his sorrows into the ear OF ympatnetic
friend ne had CHANGED TO meet.
why, / had the finest system in the world to beat
the gaIne-this eley ated road, I mean-and now
IT'S all spoiled And the meanest kind OF an acci-
snow, hate to pay fares; guess it must be
able TO get over 1t and It's always run In the
family ever since my father took me on my nrst
but 8. We'll, have to ride on the elevated great
del, and this paying tribute TO monopolists gals
me, 50 when got an inspiration one night hailed
1t with Joy. got Is from an amateur prestldigi-
tateur who showed me what an easy thing II is TO
whsk thing up ones sleeve II bit Of elastic Is
Ta light Then thought TO myself OF
ride, but there's no reason why It should stay
there. might As well enjoy unearned increment
as weli a these land holders Henry george talks
IT was easy 70 * up my contryaacs: I lyss
pinned piece Of rubber 70 the end Of my shirt
TIC: Then practiced on bureau drawer IS
ticket box-held the ticket away out q the end o.
sucs HaSd %
dropped my thumb and-well, the pasteboard
was up inside my cum in . tlfiy. When put my
/ always waited until people were crowding by the
gateman and then I'd rush up TO him, show my
ticket conspicuousiy, and thrust 1t into the box on
ticket go in, but he didn't Sc t ny up my sleeve
about half a second afterward. It was o great
scheme, and was proud OF It, called Il my vanish
ing Lady, and cnuckled every time saw an ele-
waited road post: was beating the game
at so naG o.
man, do my little act, and watch his actions He'd
look for the ticket, give his machine pump look
was carrying me away he was generally fishing for
wasn't that even event that ended my game. grew TOO
with me- One day had three young ladies with
me, but as there was something OF rush OF people
didn't fear detection. / put in the ticket once
into my pocket and drew 1t out again show
ing the ticket. Again it worked all right,
put the third time did the business l heard
one side OF the glass partition In the box and down
went the rubber and a bent pin on the other. The
gateman saw the phenomenon and his eyes Dulged
l saw the game was up. My friends were close be-
hind me, but slipped through them and ned. The
gateman started after me- but the g1rls-bless
blocked the way enectualiy for minute. You
know one woman Can stop crowd In an elevated
station alley, and there were three OF them. NO
wonder the fellow didn't catch me. But my trade
Is spoiled, and, what Is more, have TO get on and
| OIL at inconvenient stations where nobody knows
me by sight, and none Of the ladies speaks to me