The Princeton union., 1900-09-20
GU 7 RA. 7 I S
By MADgE SUTHERLAND CLARKE,

Copyright, 1900, by Madge Sutherland Clarke
Jack Corlears turned slowly away
from the door Of the cut rate ticket Of
flee in Savannah. He had staked all
he had on a venture and lost, and now
he wanted to 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. Besides, in New York the
unexpected was always likely to hap
pen, and chance and change were the
only gods on his altar. The day he.
fore he had pawned his watch, his
leather valise and his superfuous
clothing. This morning, after paying
his hotel bill, he had just IS left in his
pocket. The regular fare to New York
by boat was $40, by rail $50. The
scalpers office could do little better for
him.
He stared for a moment at the big
blue letters on the window of the Of
fee, then turned on his heel. AS he
did so thickset men with a red face
and light overcoAt came out Of the
ticket office. He clapped Corlears IA
miliarly on the back
''See here" he said. II heard you ask
ing about cut rates to New York. If
you've got nerve enough to take the
chances on this, I'll sell it for $3 and
what cigars you've got about you" He
held up long, somewhat soiled rail-
way ticket, much stamped and counter
stamped in blue and red ink 81 bought
it of fellow in New York last week
for $40. He said it was a square re-
turn ticket from Savannah that he
hadn't used because he went to Texas
first. I've struck an easy thing here,
so Pm going to stay and don't want :"
Corlears looked attentively at the
ticket. 1t was a rather dubious look
ing affair, but the lowest slip was
marked Savannah and the uppermost
one New York. 1t was chance, and
he seized it.
Gall right" he said.
'If you've got gall enough, you'll
work it. I guess you'll have to bluff
some, but you're a swell looking chap,
and that'n help"
Corlears gave him $3 and drew three
cigars from his pocket. ''They're all I
have about me, but they're good ones.''
'Ill leave you one for luck" said the
red faced man. $50 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 a few
stones he added the necessary weight;
then he lunched, bought a clean collar
and strolled to the station. When Cor
lears stepped on the north bound train
that evening, two porters We'd for the
honor of carrying his valise.
pullman dis way, sahv'
"Smoker," said Corlears sententious-
ly.
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 a long look at Corlears, who OBJ.
served him in the mirror opposite.
"Where did you buy this ticket?" he
asked.
''In Savannah, of course" said Cor.
lears carelessly.
"When?"
''This afternoon"
He took the ticket away with him
Through the glass door Corlears could
see him in earnest colloquy with a
brakeman. At last he returned.
'"There is something crooked about
this ticket, sir.'
Corlears looked incredulous. ''Wha1
do you mean by that?" be asked
sharply.
"Well, the road hasn't issued that
kind of excursion ticket since the Isl
of November. 1t was good for 60 days
you know" The conductors tone was
almost apologetic.
| "Look at the date. should say that
would settle it," Corlears looked bored
"Well, we think the dates been al
tered. The 9 has been changed to 1
making the date January instead OF
September.
| Corlears scrutinized the ticket. 81
! see no evidence OF il" he said cOldly
'However, it's no affair of mine.
bought the ticket and paid for it; the
road is responsible"
He turned to his paper. The con
| ductor shifted uneasily and finally
turned away.
'The plot thickens," Corlears said Il
himself. ''Anyhow, I am two hours
nearer New York than I was in Sa
vannah." He went to sleep. At II
| o'clock the train ran into Columbia
where a new conductor came on. Ir
about an hour Corlears saw him ap
proach, though he pretended to be still
| asleep. The new man was very direct
| in his methods.
@'Look here!' he said, shaking Cor
lears by the arm. "This ticket won'1
gov'
II guess it will 60 as far as New
York." he returned easily, "and the1
I'll see Mr.. Howson and tell him he's
got some fool conductors on this end Of
the line"
'There's no use in blufing," the mar
growled. "Either you've been take1
/