The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-07-17
RAT E6
By MADeE SUTHERLAND CLARKE.

Ey MADGE SUTHERLAND ULARkG.
copyright, 1900, by Madge Sutherland Clarke.l
Jack Corlears turned slowly away
from the door of the cut rate ticket Of
fee in Savannah. He had staked all
he had on 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
only gods on his altar. The day be-
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 500. 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 a thickset men with red face
and light overcoat came out Of the
ticket office. He clapped Corlears fa-
mlliarly on the back.
"See here" he said 81 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 So 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 I'm going to stay and don't want it. !"
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.
"All right" he said.
"If you've got gall enough, you'll
work it. guess you'll have to bluff
some. but you're a swell looking chap,
and that'N help"
Corlears gave him IS and drew three
cigars from his pocket. They're all
have about me, but they're good ones"
"I'll 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 a few
stones he added the necessary weight;
then he lunched, bought 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, sab"
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 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
see him in earnest colloquy with q
brakeman. AT last he returned.
'"There is something crooked abou
this ticket, sir"
Corlears looked incredulous. "Wha
do you mean by that?" he asked
sharply.
"Well, the road hasn't issued thai
kind of excursion ticket since the Is
Of November. 1t was good for GO days
almost apologize.
Look at the date. l should say tina
would settle it," Corlears looked bored
We'll. we think the dates been al
tered. The has been changed to a l
making the date January instead O
September.
Corlears scrutinized the ticket. :"
see no evidence of it," he said coldly
However, it's no affair of mine.
i, bought the ticket and paid for it; tn
road is responsible"
He turned to his paper. The con
ductor shifted uneasily and finall,
turned away.
'sThe plot thickens," Corlears said Il
himself anyhow, l am two hour
nearer New York than 1 was in Sa
vannall" lie went to sleep. At i
, O'clock the train ran into Columbia
where a new conductor came on. Il
about an hour Corlears saw him aT
proach. though he pretended to be still
asleep The new man was very direc
lin his methods.
"LooE herew he said, shaking Coz
lears by the arm. This ticket Won
go'
81 guess it will go as far as New
+ York." he returned easily, 'and the
I'll see AIR. Howson and tell him he
got some fool conductors on this end o
the line"
"There's no use in blutfing," the ma
r.