The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-23
MEN WITH PASSES.
A Judge Who Had Another Mans
and q Person Who Had His Own.

A Judge Who Had Another Mans,
and a Person Who Had His Own.
Several years ago" said Conductor
Jim Budd of the Burlington during
brief chat one day last week. II had on
NY train coming into Dess AIoines from
Chicago a man. al the time a Judge. In
"a casual way L knew him by sight but
not well enough under the circum-
stances to be positive about his identity.
w hen I approached him. making my
collection of tickets after leaving Abba,
he handed me the return portion of
trip pass good from Chicago to Des
MOines- Not being quite sure of my
ground though satisfied he was riding
ON another mans pass, I hestitated to
question his right to its use. Returning
through the train, 1 asked him to Oblige
me By signing his name. Without the
slightest apparent hesitation. he drew
out his pencil and taking from my hand
the pr0fered block of clip, wrote the
name that appeared on the pass. 1t was
certainly a clever imitation of the sigma
ture- There was some difference. but
thought it due, perhaps to writing while
the train was in motion Still ] was not
convinced He had grip beside him,
and taking q seat Immediately behind
him ] looked it over carefully for any
indication of a name or initials There
were none. Meanwhile he had resumed
reading his newspaper, in the contents
of which he seemed to be deeply aD-
sorbed Growing suspicion finally out
ran my judgment and leaning over the
seat ] asked sharply:
Are you sure that pass is made out
in your real name2'
He peered gravely. but after a dig
uihed fashion. over the top of the pa
per. and looking me square in the eyes,
replied that the pass had been issued
TO himself and in his proper name Still
] was disposed to question the truth Of
the statement, and continued to doubt
ms right TO the pass. After q while I
bethought me of a ruse ] felt very sure
would trap him. At the next station
I secured a telegraph blank and en-
Nelope sealed the envelope and has
tliY wrote the name of Judge - on
the outside. AS soon as the train left
the station I entered the coach in
Wnlcn my man was sitting. and look
ing over the passengers in a general
way so as not to direct attention to
any particular one. ] called OUT I
have an in pOrtant telegram here for
Judge - Is the gentleman i'm this
car y cidn.t feaze him. In fact it
never JOuched him. He didn't even
look up from the paper. but kept right
along as though tine man with the ramp
called out resided i'm Timhucto0 That
settled II with me for the time. I made
no further attempt To tran my wary
passenger. but when we arrived in Das
Moines ] trailed him to tbs old Kirk
wood hotel, and looked over the regis
ter.
There it was Just as had suspect
ed. His name was Judge - I ask
ed the clerk il he knew the Judge. He
said he did. ] inquired If the gentle
man who had just placed his name on
the register was his judicial highness.
The clerk said, sure "
The greatest mistake one can make
when travelling ON transportation be-
LONGING to another is to "bOw his
back and get indignant when the con-
ductor manifests symptoms of incre-
duuty and shows a disposition to make
inquiries Nerv likely. unknown to the
holder of the pass or mileage book thu
personal description. punched i'm tns
margin does not agree with his swift
scrutiny and seeing it describes q
stout man of middle age" with
brown eyes" and Iron gray hair -
ne wonders TO find it in possession Of Fl
sum man Of % or 30 with blue ewes
ana auburn hair" When the conduc-
so1 cans this kind os bluff. the pas
5eHstr VIII display greet good sense
by laying down" gracefully pavine
nus rare. and remarking casually. rs
tn9ugh he was not at all disturbed
tnat re Wil take the matter un Wits
ils5t- ma pa cement. This viii make yoa
uuclof with a conviction that 7-o1, are
On terms Of intimacy with the r,rasi-
cent ana general manager. and thai
you VIA make 10 uncomfortable and
go s'-at the conductor viii smile
- AANseI and write YOU out a recai,,l
LOT your fare. satisfied that vot, ars
piulang VIII heighten your own saris
1action W-thcf,t i'm the least distl1~bir,s
his urbane ecuanimitv.
There are times. however vz-he, lr,,.
ductors s,romDted by a sense IF 49,,
own superiority and buoved by hon,
OF reward VIII transgress tlron ~
rights Of passengers. I was a ouie