The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-03-28
WOULD NOT PAY HIS FARE.

A Dapper Young Man Got Free Ride
 in the Trolley Car Over the Brooklyn
 Bridge
 | One evening last week half dozen persons boarded Green and Gates av-
 enue car at the New York end of the
 bridge. Tn the middle of the car sat a
 fine looking young man, faultlessy att
 tired well groomed and apparently a
 well-to-do citizen. He was staring
 stonily into the darkness through the kwindow opposite when the conductor
 held out his hand for the fare. There
 was no respanse and the conductor
 asked for the nickel.
 | The young man was apparently ob- l livious to- everything, Even when the conductor touched his shoulder and po- 1 litely said, Fare, sir.' there was no re- sponse. Then his shoulder was rather roughly shaken and the conductor inn
 peratively repeated his request. But
 the man did nothing but stare and the conductor finally retired to the back
 platform for reflection. He returned minute later, shouted in the mans ear
 loud enough to arouse the seven sleep CTS and shook the fellow till he looked as if he had fit or ague. The young man dropped his hands to his sides but still stared out of the window, and his face was perfectly expressionless.
 The conductor then consulted two gentlemen on the other side of the car. What do you think of this perfor- mance?" he asked.
 Well" said one of the gentlemen, "it looks to me as though there was something serious the matter with that man. He is perfectly respectable in ap- pearance. he is expensively dressed and he has the air of a gentleman. If were you I would not tourh him again, but I would ask him quietly where he wishes to get off If he does not reply would let him alone till we reach the other end of the bridge"
 The conductor asked the passenger where he wished to get off, but there was no response The man was appa- rently oblivious to all earthly things. He was not disturbed for the rest of the ride but at the Brooklyn end of the bridge bouncer in the Rapid Transit service came into the car and stepped up to the delinquent passenger. The man still appeared to be paralyzed. He apparently neither saw nor heard | anything when the bouncer asked for | his fare. Without more ado the bell | was rung and the uniformed agent | touched the man on the shoulder.
 Before the enlploye had time to say word tba man rOt m 1pft tha opr and l went off up the street at swinging | pace. He was certainly a good pedes- trian. There was nothing the matter with his legs. The mysterious affair had aroused some anxiety for his con- 1iton, but the opinion now was that was misplaced, The bouncer ooked at him open mouthed, and as the gar started on he jumped up on the | platform again, stuck his head through he door, and shouted, That is what I ,all dead beat" and jumped off the ,ar.
 Well" remarked one of the passen- yers,, q think that fellow has the most colossal cheek ever saw. I presume le did not have a nickel in his pocket md decided to brazen his way over the bridge, knowing that the conductor .ould not put him off on the driveway"
 'Perhars that was it." said another Or it may be that he had a bet that he ould cross the bridge on the car with ut paying his fare. What do you hink about it, conductor?'
 "I give it up. It's the queerest thing hat has happened to me since came n the line New York Sun.