Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-01

took it--that is, he gave quarter to the waiter.
 After lunch he felt fine, !" and he went up to the offices again.
 "Very sorry, sir" said the clerk but we've just received telephone from MT. Gregory and he won't be back until tomorrow or, next day. He's called out of town.'
 Binkersley was disappointed, but he was a philosophical sort of chap and he had had good time, and it was only a prelude to big business.
 That evening he took his wife to the theater, a thing he had not done since he stopped getting billboard tickets. The theater cost good two dollars, for he got the very best seats in the second balcony. and after the play nothing would do for this n-about-to-get-a- pass but supper at one of Young's res- taurants and that made another dollar look extremely i'll.
 Next morning MT. Binkersley went uptown. and he went in cab. It was expensive as he we'll knew. but it could be charged to expenses eventually.
 The passenger agent was in, but he was busy,
 'Tell him." said Mir. Binkersley with an importance that he could not con ,ceal although he tried to. 'tell him that my cab is waiting for me outside and that I'd like to see him at once. l have been here twice before!"
 This had the desired effect. That is to say, the boy delivered the message, and in moment MT. Binkersley heard a roar of laughter from the inner room and said to himself: He's in good humor."
 A moment later the boy returned and said with a deference that seemed the real thing to simple MT. .Binkersley: Come this way. sir.
 MT. Binkersley went that way and was ushered into the presence of white haired, bristly-bearded man who looked more like genial farmer than the man. ager of a great business.
 "Is this MT. Binkersley?" said MT. Gregory.
 r "Yes. sir" said MT. Binkersley.
 80 you don't want pass, don't your" said the passenger agent, carrying out the spirit of the letter which the sub urbanite had written for MT. Binkersley.
 'No, sir" said MT. Binkersley in a puzzled tone.
 Then what did you come for?" said Gregory.
 "Why-er-why, mean want a pass to Chicago and back, and in return I'll tell people to take your road"
 MT. Gregory had pictured different sort of man from the one who stood be- fore him and some of the humor of the letter seemed to leave it. He had evil dently been put up to writing it.
 Suppose, said he, i've gave every- body in the country pass to any place he asked for on condition that he advised his friends to buy tickets. How soon would we go into bankruptcy"
 That would need some figuring said Mir. Binkersley in such a simple manner that MT. Gregory took pity on him and determined to give him a pass.
 Well, look here, MT. Binkersley, hear that your cab is at the door and | I don't want your coachman to catch cold waiting for you, but also want you to understand that am general passen- ger agent of this road and if want to give passes that is my own affair. You dared me to give you pass and l am zoing to take your dare. Here is an order for pass as far as Albany and return. That will take at least six dol. lars off your expenses. I'm accustomed to having my own way and I insist upon your accepting the pass"
 MT. Binkersley was filled with mixed emotions. He was disappointed at the mileage of the pass, but he also wanted to set himself right with this man and ! he said:
 Well, thank you, sir, but you misun l derstood the letter. I meant all that ii a joke. The fact is a friend of mine wrote it and I didn't quite see what h' was driving at. wish I'd written i myself because wanted the pass all thu way to Chicago and back. The fact il I am in position to influence a good
 The passenger agent had risen. Tn very glad to have had this opportunit. to see you, MT. Binkersley, and do hop the driver hasn't caught cold. You will exchange this order for a ticket to Al bany and return. If you need any nor passes write the letter yourself, as it vii be safeguard. Good-day."
 He heard a roar of laughter as h passed from the room of the passenge agent.
 "A very pleasant and iovial gentle man." thought MT. Binkersley.