Evening star., 1899-03-25

and red ink. II bought it Of fel-
low in New York last week for SO.
He said It was q square return ticket from
savannah that he hadn't used because he
went to Texas first. I've struck an easy
thing here, so I'm going TO stay and don t
want it,"
Corlears looked attentively at the ticket
1t was d rather Notwithstanding affair, but
the lowest slip was marked Savannah and
the uppermost one New York. 1t was a
Chance, and he seized il.
All right" re said.
III you've got gall enough, you'll work it.
i guess you'll have TO bluff some, but
ieia." '''A'"7 o-''''' anu - Il
Corlears gave him 81 and drew three
cigars from his pocket. They're all have
about ne. but they're good ones
III leave you one for luck" said the red
faced man. SO lOng!''
Corlears stood for an instant making his
plans. Then he walked To the Pawnshop
and redeemed his valiSe. By means of
some newspapers and d few stones he add
ed the necessary weight; then ne lunched,
bought himself a clean collar and strolled
10 the station. When COrlears stepped on
the north-bound train that evening two
porters We'd for the honor of carrying his
yaIisc.
Pullman dis way. sah."
smoker said COrlears. sententiOusly.
When the conductor made his first round
COrlearS handed him his ticket without
looking up from his paper. The man glanced
casually at it. then examined it carefully.
After that he took long look at Corlcars,
who observed him in the mirror opposite.
Where did you buy this ticket?'' ne
asked.
In Savannah. of course" said Corlears
careIessly.
"When?
This afternoon"
He took the ticket away with him.
Through the glass door Corlears could see
him in earnest coloquy with a brakeman.
AT last n returned.
There is something crooked about this
ticket sir.
CorIears looked incredulous What do
you mean by that he asked. sharply.
We'll. the road hasn't issued that kind OF
excursion tltk tket since the LIST OF Novem-
bcr. 1t was good for sixty days. you know.
The conductor tone was almost apologize.
Look at the date. / should say that
would settle it" Corlears looked bored.
Well think the dates been altered.
The nine has been changed TO a one max
ing the date January instead of Septem-
b.r."
evidence of It." he said cOldly. However,
It's no affair of mine. l bought the ticket
and paid for it; the road is responsible"
He turned To his paper The conductor
shifted uneasily and finally turned away.
The plot thickens." Corlears said to him.
self Anyhow, ! am two hOurs-neaTer New
York than l was in savannah" He went
TO sleep. Al 10 o'clock the train ran in 10
OOlQmbld, WNtTe new conductor came on
L. about an hour COrlears saw him ap-
proach. though he pretended 10 be still
asleep The new man was very direct in
his methods.
Look here" he said. shaking CorlearS
by the arm. This ticket won't GO"
Il guc=s 1t will 20 as far as New York, y
NJ returned. easily. and then I'll see Mr.
Howsou and tell him he's got some fool
conductors on this end of the line"
There's in bluffing," the mar
growled- Either you've been taken in
yourself OF you're trying to fool us. Some
bOdy's trying 10 beat the road out of fare
and tell you II won't go with me-
COrlears looked the man up and down
"What do yOu propose to do about it?" he
asked. ContcmptuOusly.
Either collect the fare or put you off"
Corlears looked him squareIy in the eyes
you'll DO neither he said. 'As ii IS, you
will lose your place"
when ! lose my place it won't be for
giving beats free rides to New York. II
you was the presidents son-in-law and haC
nothin better TO show for it than this herf
good-for-nOthiug ticket you'd have to pay
up or get on
Corlears ronchalantly drew bill from hi.
to the conductor Here, keep this fol-
yourself, and for the Lords sake let m,
alone"
The mans surly face lowered angrily
81 amt that kind he growled, dOggedly
and mOCioned to a brakeman. Then Ii
raised his hand to the cord above hi
head. I'll give you two minutes to de
eide" re said.
A brakeman and a trainman Joined tn
group. Corlears set his face firmly e
guess I've had more than So worth out o