New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-05
SWINDLED BY THEIR OWN SHREWDYESS.
SOME PEOPLE FIND THAT NOT ONLY THU
PROPER BUT THE PROFITABLE " STUDY
OF MANKIND IS MANI

OF MANKIND IS MANI
"The 'nlghthawk' cabmen Of this city who have
helped me home those rare occasions when have
found myself embarrassed at a late hour by a vOlumi-
mons and complicated Jag said the son Of wealthy
banker the other day, have often imposed on my
peacclOving nature by demanding bigger fares than
they we're entitled to, before they would assist me-
and the jag ont of their cabs and up the steps Of my
fathers 'palatial mansion once twice 1 have
tried to demonstrate against this extortion, the
result has never justified the exertion. SO on the
last sad occasion which ! Obliged to have
recourse to the aid Of of these gentry, employed
a little harmless guile which worked to a charm.
80 Here's your house, boss said my driver, he
opened the door. Two nfty's the fare
1.-TWO dollars and half for ten minutes ride y
said l. That's pretty steep, but if you'll give me
your arm up the step, l won't kick about it,
Certain, boss, said he, but You pay before you
get out please
." so fell to fumbng in my pockets, pulling out
keys, poker chips, cork two and lot Of other
useless odds and ends that will somehow accumulate
In the pockets of a who has been having I'M
usually good time; but my search produced money.
'Oh, blank it, suddenly exclaimed, 4 have dropped
my list coin on the bottom Of your cab. 1t is a
hvedollar gold piece. strike a match so that can
find 1t, its dark Egypt in here
Amt got match SIR says cabby cheerfully.
Then bring one OF the cab lamps here l say
testify.
fixed solid to the keb, SIR Is the answer.
"'Wcn, then, you help up the steps and Pll
get a lamp in the house. said l.
IAN right, sir, says the willy Jehu, with grin
Careful nOw-theIc's the step-easy-thcre you are
take hold Of the railing on that side aud lean on
mc-where's your latch key 80 thaL amt IT, that >
your cigar case now here you are in the vestDulc-
Won can opcu the inner door yourself and get the
lamp "a lille 1 look after that hOrsc-hc wont sVdhu
NnOa there YOU brute he shouted a. nc ran hIihOIS
down the ,tcps, slammed the cab door, mounted inc
D.. B Itl.r-. .ha en-
.iiold on there shouted You thief. you've got
my nycdoIar gold piece. I'll nave you arrest
int CduDy heard not, paused not. lie ut'ncu
away into the darkness, and believe would have
parted with my beautiful Jazz to have hai the pleasure
OF -ceng him Ach himself a. he searched III vain IoI
mat, lot hall-bad story, said a listener. 81" 1t
reminds Of an experience that happened to bag
tender IN uptown cafe not lons ago. lie vas al.
expert drink mixer, but not any too honest, ana hdd
quite fancy for his own shreWdness. several ot
we're watching him In the practice Of hi, art one
Dy the very end Of the counter. almost within the
lar u fact, stopped down suddenly With an eAcama.
ton OF surprise and came up again with q @loDht
I'm HI, hand The bin was crumped mp small and
had OF the damp ,awdust of tho floor stn stick
Ing "a It, The man ,noOthed II ont, announced lhe
fact that he had found Y, and asked II any OF Us
had dropped H. Nonc OF rs had. We were SIRE.
Hold on said the keep. beginning 10 Slap
pied up small when You found IT.
I'D was said the stranger IN surly tone. You
saw that when picked up
40. didn't said the bar-keep. but l find
have lost a 80 bill that / tucked away IN a niue
wad ga my waistcoat pocket and now | find hole
i'm the pocket And he rammed his thumb down.
into the pocket and | was | heart the lining
tear AS the thuH.u protrlded and he showed II by
throwing open his wai'tcOat.
oh come now " said the stranger. You'll find
10 hard work to make people believe that. ANYWAY.
most men would have put the bill I'm their pockets
and SAID nothing about II. Tell Won what I'll Do.
I'm divvy with you.'
All right said the Gy bar keep. sooner than
have afN troubl" about IT, Veil diyvy.' lie went
To- the money drawer took ont two fveS. gave one
90 the stranger put the other in his pocket that
prcutly had hole I'm H. and tossed the newly found
y Into the tlll. The stranger went ont the sy bar
keeper wlnked at H.. and I'm the flush Of conscious
merit set 'cm mp for the crowd. Hardly an hour
had passed before the proprietor OF the cafe came
around 10 reckon MP his profits.
" what dod castcd fool H. shouted angrily. has
taken In th, miserable counterfeit Of $40 note
n Wa too true. Poor bar keep. The loss
came ont 81 h, salary. his stealngS. whatever
o. B, that bar Keepers get rich on That did not mat
ter much. Of course. hut he never allowed 10
hear the last OF H. and hi~ fan in bis own estimation
something tremendous