Smyrna times., 1912-08-21
CAUGHT
A TARTAR
BY ARNOLD DUNCAN

his pocket and began to read. When
the conductor came around for his
ticket he thrust his hand into his
pocket for his wallet and looked very
much chagrined. Then he went
through his other pockets, and. not
finding it, he said:
Conductor, just before leaving nv
hotei this morning 1 changed my suit
putung the one l had been wearing
VIII my money in the coat pocket in
my trunk. What's worse, my trunk did
not reach me at the station and is TO
come Oy later train. If 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 if
to you"
Ticket" was the conductors laconic
reply.
L have said all have to say" con-
tinued the passenger. 81 have no
money to pay now. but I'll have plenty
at the end of the route"
You'll have to pay your fare or
get off"
Not here, l trust. in this swampv
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 actionY'
"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 off into a swamp. The
train went on, leaving him standing on
the track looking after it, 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 sleek looking man who
asked him what he could do for him.
He told the story Of being put off 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. Z
he would find the official who adjusted
all claims. The passenger went in
there, had 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 it in writing.
took his address and said he would
write him about the matter.
The passenger never heard from him
Not long after this it 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 it. The price of the
securities would go up a 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 wa
falling off dreadfully. Two feeders.
one at either terminal. were diverting
their business to other roads. Then
the price of the stock began to 90
down like lead. Finally it reached
point where the fiuctuatiOn ceased
The president of the road cOmmuni
Gated with the feeders. asking what
mad 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 over the line where it
had flowed originally. The president
was puzzled. He sent for some Of the
principal 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
a newspaper and read in the financial
columns that a new railroad magnate
mad appeared. John TalcOtt. a man
who had achieved some success at re
organizing roads in the west, had come
east and with associates had bought
controlling interest in two lines. and
II was suspected that he had picked up
In open market a majority Of the stock
OF a connecting link between the two.
mat connecting link the president
knew to be his own line.
That morning. when he went to his
ONCE, ne found a note from the new
railroad star inviting the president to
call upon him. He did so and found |
the party so busy that he was obliged |
20 wait an hour before he could gain |
@dmittance When admitted he saw
plain western man, who said to him |
"h plain western fashion:
Next month occurs the annual eiec
eion Of directors Of your road. Two
1nlrds Of the stock belongs to me and
my friends. | have sent for you to
give you notice that neither your serv-
ICES nor those Of your principal Off
CHrS will h. .ooH.I co. fha ancnfnR