The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-26
CUT RATES.
Nv Mndcc sutherInnd Clarke.

/ Copyright. 1899. by Madge Sutherland
Clarke.
| Jack Corlears turned slowly away from
/ the door of the cut-rate ticket Office in
| Savannah. He had staked all he had on
a venture and lost, and now he wanted
| 90 get back TO New York. There, at
least, was life. and If he was to starve he
preferred TO do It where he might gain
some amusement during the process. Be-
sdes, in New York the unexpected was
always likely to happen, and chance and
change were the only gods on his altar.
Corlears had never yet in his checkered
career been on speaking terms with des-
pair. but he felt that to stay In Savannah
would be to court its acquaintance The
day before he had pawned his watch, mis-
leather valise and his superfuous cloth
ing. This morning, after paying his ho-
tel bill, he had just IS left in his pocket
The regular fare to New York by boat
was $50. by rail 1872. The scalper's Office
could do little better for him.
He stared for a moment at the big blue
letters on the window of the office, then
turned on his heel. AS he did so, a thick
set man nALA Il IGu AuCG duu a A1BDL over
coat came out of the ticket office. He
clapped Corlears Familiarity on the back
See here" he said Il heard you ask
Ing about cut rates to New York. II
you've got nerve enough to take the
chances on this, Ia sell it for 50 and what
cigars you've got about you" He neld
up long, somewhat soiled railway ticket,
much stamped and counter stamped in
blue and red ink Il bought IL of a fell
low in New York uraalr
said it was a 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 al the ticket.
1t was a rather dubious looking affair,
but the lowest sip was marked Savannah
and the uppernost one New York 1t was
chance, and he seized IT,
"All right ne said
If you've got gan enough, you'll work
1t. l guess you'll have to bluff some but
you're swell-lOoking chap and thatn
help"
Corlears gave him 50 and drew three CT
gars from his pocket. They're all 1 have
about me, but they're good ones"
I'm leave you one for luck" said the
red-faced man. 80 longw
Corlears stood for an instant making his
plans. Then he walked to the pawnshop
and redeemed his valise. BY means Of
some newspapers and few stones he add
ed the necessary weight, then he lunched.
bought himslf a clean collar and strolled
to the station. When Corlears stepped on
the porthbound train that evening two
porters We'd for the honor of carrying his
valise.
Pullman dis way sab"
Smoker" said CorieaTs, sententiously
When the conductor made his first round
Corlears handed him his ticket without
looking up from his paper. The man
glanced casually at 1t. then examined it
carefully. After that he took a long look
at Corlears, who observed him in the mir
ror opposite
Where did you buy this ticket?" he
asked.
In Savannah. of course" said Corlears,
carelessly.
| "When?"
This afternoon"
He took the ticket away with him
| Though the glass door Corlears could
see him I'm earnest colloquy with brake
! man. At last he returned.
There is something crooked about this
| ticket, sir"
Corlears looked incredulous. What do
| you mean by that?" he asked, sharply
We'll the road hasn't Issued that kind
| of excursion ticket since the first of No
| NSH1DtT- II was SOOu lOE sixty udyS, you
/ know" The conductors tone was almost
apologize.
Look at the date. I should say that
would settle It," Corlears looked bored.
| well, we think the dates been altered.
| The nine has been changed to a one, max
ing the date January Instead of September.
Cor!ears scrutinzed the ticket. "I see
| no evidence of it, he said. coldly How
ever, it's no affair of mine. 1 bought the
I nd no for fts the road fs .
| sibe"
| He turned TO his paper. The conductor
! shifted uneasily and finally turned away.
THE plot thiekens," Corears said TO
! himself. Anyhow, am two hours near
| er New York than l was in Savannah"
| He went to sleep. At 10 O'Clock the train
ran in to Columbia, where a new conductor
| came on. In about an hour Corlears saw
him approach, though he pretended to be
| sim asieep. The new man was very direct
| in~his methods.
Look here" he said, shaking Corlears
by the arm This ticket won't 60"
Il guess it will go as far as New York, "
he returned easily, "and then III see Mr..
Howson and tell him he's got some fool
conductors on this end of the line"
"There's no use in blufhng,' the man
growled. "Elther you've been taken in
Yourself or you're trying to fool us Some
body's trying to beat the road out of a
fare, and l tell you it won't go with me-"
Corlears looked the man up and down.
what do you propose to do about it?'
he asked, contemptuously.
"Ejther collect the fare or put you on
Corlears looked him squarely in the eyes.
you'll do neither" he said. 'As il is,
sou will lose your place
when I lose my place 1t won't be for
| giving beats free rides to New York. If
you was the presidents son-in-law, and
had nothin' better to show for IL than
this here good-for-nothing ticket, you'd
have 10 pay or get off.
Corlears nonchalantly drew a bill from
his pocket Qt was his last one), and held
it up to the conductor Here, keep this
for yourself, and for the Lords sake let
me alone"
The mans surly face lowered angrily
IT amt that kind" he growled. doggedly
and motioned to a brakeman. Then he
raised his hand TO the cord above his
I