St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-09
A QUEER CHAP.
He Enjoyed Seeing Other People
Beat the Elevated.

He Enjoyed Seeing Other People
Beat the Elevated.
New York Tribune.
Three men who were taking an
elevated train at Park place a IfeW
nights ago were all eager to pay the
fares. The result of their enthusiasm
was that four tickets we're dropped in
the box. The man who guards the
ticket-chopper. a good-natured, kindly
eyed fellow, who knew all the men. saw
the four tickets go in and was good
enough to offer to return one ticket.
His efforts to do this brought out the
characteristic shreWdneSS and indie
pendence of the average New Yorker.
Indeed. it did more than this. 1t showed
several men in a ludicrOuS light. their
natural suspicion against trickery and
"bunco" work suddenly driving them
to the violent extreme OF common sense.
The first man who came up the steps
after the three was an energetic, nerv-
Gus man. He threw down a five-cent
piece at the window, seized his ticket,
and before any one realized what he
was doing, threw it into the box. OPP
portunity No. l lost.
He was followed by tall. slender
man, who had a dreamy, absent-minded
look in his eye.
Here's our chance,n said one of the
party.
''Give me the ticket, please" said the
station man, extending his hand.
But the other did not hear him, ap-
parently. for he half pushed the hand
aside, and dropping in his ticket. me-
chanically walked along the platform
and gaZed up Into the sOmber skies,
utterly oblivious of the laughter of the
three men who were trying to collect
the ticket.
The next man was the keeper of a
news stand. Upon his shoulder he car
ried great pile of newspapers. He
came drifting along like an overloaded
barge, pushing every one before him,
and in went his ticket just as he dropped
his bundle with grunt of relief.
Following him came short, thlck-Set
man with hostile face.
"Give me the ticket, please" repeated
the guardian of the chopper, reaching
for it. The other brushed his hand aside
roughly.
What do you mean?" he said, sharply.
Three pair of hands were covering the
box, while thaee men were choking with
laughter.
OCC utIC, yOuuS 1CllOWo, CllOO 0iiC
short man angrily, "you can't play any
games Oh me. put my ticket in the
box and nowhere else. l wasn't born
yesterday"
Some one tried to explain.
mo. you DON'T" he answered, look
ing as wise as seer. II don't give up
my ticket" and forcing aside the hand,
over the box he dropped IN his tickets
looked down the box to make sure it was
there, and stalked off with the air of a
conqueror
Better catch the next one at the head
of the stairs" was suggested. so this
plan was tried. 1t was a thin-faced,
narrow-eyed person who appeared this
time.
''Oh, of course" he said, after having
protested against being stopped. But
mind you. l must be allowed to pass. [
don't care how much you skim the COM
papy," he added. with wink, $50 long
as come out all right" He insisted
on holding his ticket until he had
passed the box. Then he handed it
over, saying: II enjoy seeing people
beat this company, even if l can't do it
myself"
There was no use to try to explain
further. He had made up his mind
that the company was being cheated,
and nothing could convince him to the
contrary, for, as the stationman said.
They're queer lot"