The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-08-07
CAUGHT
A TARTAR
BY ARNOLD DUNCAN


| his pocket and began to read. Whel
the conductor came around for hi
ticket he thrust his hand into hi
! pocket for his wallet and looked yer,
much chagrined. Then he wen
through his other pockets, and, no
finding 1t, he said:
Conductor, just before leaving m,
hotel this morning l changed my suit
putting the one / had been wearing
with my money in the coat pocket IL
my trunk. What's worse, my trunk die
not reach me at the station and is IL
come by later train. II you'll let me
go through to B., when we got into
the station I'll telephone for a friend
to bring me my fare and will give II
to you"
Ticket" was the conductors laconic
reply.
II have said all have to say" con
tinued the passenger. II have nc
money to pay now, but I'll have plenty
at the end Of the route"
You'll have to pay your fare or
get of"
mot here, I trust, in this swampy
country. You will at least carry me
to the next station"
"Not unless you pay your fare from
the one where you got on"
Are your orders such as warrant
you In such inhuman actionT
"Our orders are to put those who re-
fuse to pay fares off the train
Well" said the passenger ruefully,
you'll have TO put me off. I've left
my money behind and have nothing to
pay with"
The conductor pulled the bell, and
the train stopped. The passenger made
no resistance, but walked to the plat
form and got of into a swamp. The
train went on, leaving him standing on
the track looking after 1t. Then, first
looking up and down the line Of the
road he started on foot to pursue his
journey.
A few days later the passenger who
couldn't pay his fare went into the
Offices of the road and asked to see the
general superintendent He waited
half an hour, then was ushered into the
room of a sleek looking man who
asked him what he could do for him.
He told the story of being put of the
train and said he had come to effect
settlement for damages or he would
sue for them. The superintendent said
that If he would call In at room No.
he would find the official who adjusted
all claims. The passenger went In
there. had a talk with the claim officer,
who got out of him all the information
he desired, asked him what he would
settle for, got him to put 1t In writing.
took his address and said he would
write him about the matter.
The passenger never heard from him.
Not long after this ii was evident
that there was manipulation in the
stock OF the road. No one, not even
the president. could find out who was
at the bottom OF 1t. The price Of the
securities would go up bit, then
gradually sag, then rise again. But
the general tendency was upward
The affairs of the road were known
only TO few, who could see no reason
for an advance Indeed, business was
falling OFF dreadfully. Two feeders,
one at either terminal. were diverting
their business to other roads. Then
the price of the stock began to go
down like lead. Finally it reached a
point where the fluctuation ceased
The president of the road communi-
Gated with the feeders. asking what
had caused them to divert their bust
ness from his line to others. He re
ceived no satisfaction. Nevertheless
the diversion ceased and trade began
TO flow again ever the line where 1t
had flowed originally. The president |
was puzzled. He sent for some of the !
stockholders and asked them |
II they knew anything about the mat
ter. They didn't. but admitted that |
during the recent furry in the stock /
they had sold most of their holdings.
One morning the president took up /
4 newspaper and read in the financial! /
columns that new railroad magnate
had appeared. John Talcott, a man
who had achieved some success at re-
roads In the west, had come
east and with associates had bought
, controlling interest In two lines. and
L was suspected that he had picked up
n open market majority of the stock
# connecting link between the two.
That connecting link the president
Knew to be his own line.
That morning. when he went to his
,ffice, he found a note from the new
abroad star inviting the president to
all upon him. He did so and found
he party so busy that he was obliged
o wait an hour before he could gain
ldmittance When admitted he saw
plain western man, who said to him
n plain western fashion:
Next month occurs the annual cleo
ion of directors of your road. Two
birds of the stock belongs to me and
ny friends. / have sent for you to
i've you notice that neither your serv-
ces nor those of your principal off,
ers will be needed for the ensuing
ear. If you will inquire of your :
fricial In charge of claims you will
nd my name there as one who offered
0 settle damages for being put off one
( your trains for few hundred dol
irs."