The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-03-20
NO FUNIN THE GAS BUSINESS
w. of Compeliing Dniln9usnt conaurn-
era to settle Thar BfIfa

AFNAA2WUNnk
ers to Settle Thar BnIs
"No. sir, exclaimed an Official of
one of the gas companies, there is
absolutely nothing funny or anus
ing in our business. II ia all ex-
tremely serious. We actually get
more abuse than the average car
conductor. People think they are
entitled to cuss and call Us all the
nasty names from A 10 q. People.
as a rule, don't regard gas in the
same light as other commodities.
Some actually think that they ought
to have gas for nothing, and they
are very much hurt If they are re-
minded that their gas bill Is four or
tive months overdue. So they take
At out in abusing u.s."
The speaker experience has been
gained in the Office. The life of the
men employed to collect overdue
bills is even more exciting. They
are sometimes lucky If they pass
week without having to dodge fat
irons, broomstioks and bottles.
The gas man starts out in the
morning TO 20 to the house of a con-
sumner who has refused TO pay his
bill. The scene is a swsatshop, and
the proprietor lie busy with his irons
and his workmen. The gas man en-
ters.
I've come around" he says, Ito
see your meter" He takes out his
tally book, and the proprietor opens
the little closet where the meter il.
In a second the i,Is man snaps a lock
on the meter, i'ld the flames under
the irons in tn. shop die out.
Rascal" yells the proprietor.
What have you dUnei 1t is rob
beryi Why do you come herei /
have paid my bill. I'll report you
to the company"
The gas man smiles. "Have you
got the receipt" he asks.
81 had il. had il. I did. I did
Turn on that gas, or I'll break your
headr'
"No money, no gas, Gays the gas
company's employee.
Its a robbery Joe, where is that
receipt" But Joe hasn't seen il.
Finally the S7.s5 is paid, and the gas
man unlocks the meter aud goes
back to his Office or TO another house
where something similar is likely To
happen.
The cona,,,,,a,- 10. Io,,,,s,a - l.
son. He abuses the gas company all
day and vows he will burn gas for
l7months and never be fooled again.
A few months pass and another gas
bill runs up. The consumer pays no
attention when asked to settle, aal
a man is sent around to loox at the
meter again.
"Ha, hal 1 guess you won't do
that trick again, says the consumer
when the man in uniform asks 10
see the meter. II have lad the trick
played on me before. / am not
ready TO pay. Wait awhile.
The gas company waits n month
and then decides to fool no more
with him. One morning a party of
men begin TO tear up the street in
front of the sweatshop. The propri-
etor catches sight of tho uniforms,
and, knowing that the gas men are
upon him, rushes to his private
hoard and pulls out some money.
Don't ruin met he cries as he
nurries into the street, where the
men are already disconnecting his
gas pipes. II am reIdy to pay"
The crowd which has gathered
laughs at him as he appeals to the
gas man in charge.
MY friend, " says the gas man,
pay up then right away and make
a deposit of $50 with me-"
Fifty dollars !" exclaims the con-
sumer. Il haven't that much in the
world. 1t is robbery, worse than
Russia, Villainsi Rascalsr'
The crowd laughs some more and
the gas men go on with their work.
But in ten minutes the consumer
comes out of his house with the
money. A receipt is signed on the
spot, the gravel goes back into the
hole, and the gas men depart. New
York Sun.