Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-17
HIGH PRICE FOR COAL
SECRETARY HAY PAYS $1S FOR
ONE TON.
It Was Sent by Express, However,
Over a New Hampshire
Railroad.

A special to the New York World from
Lake Sunapee. N. H., yesterday says: The
ways of the summer cottager are sources
of constant surprise to the natives of this
lake region, but the family Of Secretary Of
State John Hay has discounted anything
known here for many a year by ordering
coal by express.
The family of the Secretary opened its
beautiful summer place, The Fells, on the
shores of Lake Sunapee early in June. 1t
was chilly and Mrs. Hay wished the steam
heater put in action. But there was no coal
in the bin and the Secretary was in Wash
ington.
So member of the household undertook
to supply the necessity, and naturally asked
villager where he could get some coal. ,
How much do you want, couple OF
shovelfuls?" was the query.
No, | want a ton, at least.
There hasn't been any coal sold around
here since 1t went up, and 1 don't know
how you can get it,. was the answer. IF
you wanted to buy diamonds we might help
you OUT
1t was forty miles from here to Concord.
The obliging station agent telegraphed down
the line, but could find no coal for sale
anywhere nearer than the capital.
Then he tried to the north and inquired
of coal men at Sunapee, Newport and Clare
mont without success. A charitably in
cined person at Claremont proffered the
information that he had recently seen some
coal at Windsor VT. He thought that if
Mr.. Hays folks hustled they might get
some of the priced chunks.
Consequently, telephone message was
sent to James H. Kiniry at Windsor, anx-
fously inquiring If the rumor that he had
some coal to sell was authentic. There was
great giee in the May household when word
came back that Mr.. Kiniry had coal and
would sell it for So ton.
III NJ
please send one ton right off by ex-
press?' pleaded a feminine voice.
BY What! demanded the a5tonished coal
man.
by express, if you please" was the re-
ply.
Mr. Kiniry sought the local agent for
the American Express Company at Wind
sor, which Is thirty miles from Sunapee by
rail.
Il want to send a ton Of coal by your
company to Secretary Hays place." said
kiniry.
I'VE haven't got a safe big enough to
mold tOn, said the express man. Are
you afraid it will be lost in transit unless
you make an express company liable for its
safe delivery?'
Those were my Instructions" said the
coal man BY express, they said, and by
express that coal goes, safe or no safe"
The result was that Kiniry put up ton
OF coal very nicely in bags, sealing each bag
and tagging it for John Hay, The Fells
gest part of the express car on passen-
ger train, to the amazement and disgust of
the express messenger.
AT Claremont Junction each bag was
transferred to a passenger train on the Con-
cord and Claremont branch The express
messenger receipted for one ton of coal In
bags and weighed it, to be sure that the
charges were not too low. The express
agent at Lake Sunapee did some weighing
too. and then delivered the COAL after much
eXertion and some display of temper at the
doorstep of John Hays home.
How much is the eXpressage?" he was
asked.
Ten dollars" said he
How much?"
Just $40"
Does that pay for the COAL too?"
No, that only pays for getting it here
It's good thing for the company. amt
1t?' the expressman offered little timely
pleasantly
Yes, and guess Mr. Hay is the thing"
replied the equally appreciative hired man
of the Hay household, as he handed out the
amount of the charge.
ITS much cheaper If you send 1t by
freight said the eXpressman, sympatheti-
cally.
In due time this expensive ton of coal,
which had cost s1S. was consumed in the
Hay heating plant. Two days ago Mr. XII
niry's telephone bell was rung, and this
conversation followed:
rs this Kiniry?"
YES"
This is Secretary Hays house. Send
down ton of coal right off,
by express?''
MOT on your life. By freight"