Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-06-12
CUT RATES
By MADGE SUTHERLAND CLARKE

By MADGE SUTHERLAND CLARKE.
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 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 be-
fore he had pawned his watch, his
leather valise and his superfuous
clothing. This morning, after paying
his hotel bill, he had just So left in his
! pocket. The regular fare to New York
by boat was $40, by rail $32. The
| scalper's office could do little better for
! him.
He stared for moment at the big
blue letters on the window Of the Of
| flee, then turned on his heel. AS lie
did so thickset men with 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 So and
what cigars you've got about you" He
held up a long, somewhat soiled rail-
way ticket, much stamped and counter
| stamped in blue and red ink II bought
it Of a 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. It was rather dubious look
ing affair, but the lowest slip was
marked Savannah and the uppermost
one New York. 1t was a chance, and
he seized it.
Gail right" he said.
IF you've got gall enough, you'll
work it. I guess you'll have to bluff
some, but you're swell looking chap,
and that'n help"
Corlears gave him So 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. $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 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, sah!"
Smoker" said Corlears sententious
~.
When the conductor made his first
round, Corlears handed him his ticket
without looking up from his paper
The man glanced casually at it; the1
examined it carefully. After that hi
took long look at Corlears, who OBJ
served him in the mirror opposite.
] "Where did you buy this ticket?" hi
asked.
I'm Savannah, Of course" said Cor
lears carelessly.
"When?"
'This afternoon"
He took the ticket away with him
Through the glass door Corlears coult
see him in earnest colloquy with .
brakeman. At last he returned.
'There Is something crooked abou
this ticket, sir" ..g !
/ Corlears looked incrednlOus. "Wha
do. you mean by thatY' he asket
sharply. @*# :>* .::F g..
"Well, the road hasn't issued tina
kind Of excursion ticket since the Is
Of November. It was good for GO days
you know" The conductors tone wa
almost apologize. ......~ -
"Look at the ddte should say tina
would settle It," Corlears looked bored
swell, we think the dates been al
tered. The o has been changed to a
making the date January instead o
j September. 4 81 #...5 nv. .=.s . y.
/ Corlears scrutinized the ticket. g
see no evidence Of it." he said coldly
|"HOwever, it's no affair Of mine.
! bought the ticket and paid for it; th,
road is responsible. . u. 4... ..5=.=
He turned to his paper. The con
Iductor shifted uneasily and finall.
turned away. II IS s5. .@5I US
| The plot thickens,' : Corlears said 4,
Fl himself. ANY how, am two hour
nearer New fork than was I'M Sa
vnnnah ne went to sleep. At il
o'clock the train ran Into Columbia