The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-12


with infinite scorn, and, carefully clos
ing the carriage door on his careworn
friend, mounted to the box with the
| driver. During the drive he acquired
much interesting information. He
learned that the drivers name was
James Billings, better known to his
, intimates as Badly Billings, for obvi-
| GUS reasons. He learned further that
the nigh boss had a SPAWN. and that
| there wasn't no money in ownin' your
| own outfit no more, nohow. Also,
that the Cab Drivers union was hold
| ing an informal beer and smoker"
that evening to talk over matters OF
Importance and that he, Badly, was
unable to be present, as it was his
night on, and his employers were OBJ
durate Rollison automatically Sc
cured invitations for Brownlee and
himself to attend the beer and smoker,
promptly retained Mr.. Billings and
his carriage by the hour until further
orders, and urged precipitancy IN
reaching the hall. for fear the beer
might otherwise be all gone.
Charles Chester was difficult to |
arouse. His first Ineligible noise in |
response to shakings and proddings |
was: "Whassamarrer?" But when
thoroughly awakened he was as a |
giant refreshed. Immediately after
their introduction to the members of
the union, he proceeded to make him
: self useful The skill with which he
drew a solid" glass of beer for him
self and "Coney Island" for Rollison,
, from one of the three kegs convenient
in a corner of the room, filled the cab
, drivers with admiration. Baldys
| guests were first made welcome for
/ his sake, but soon were doubly well
come for their own Within 80 min
: utes after their appearance the hall
resounded with ayes" as they were
unanimously elected to honorary mem
| bership in the union. Shortly after
this Charles Chester was in his shirt
sleeves, a towel pinned about his
| waist. and had assumed charge of the
| liquid refreshments.
! Rollison entered feelingly into the
questions under discussion, and earn
! estly advocated a stand for fewer
| hours and more pay. He said:
/ LAS a consist'nt, frequ'nt. an remoo
4 moo remooner'tive patr'n We the
/ l~cmbcrs { thi. organ-organ'zashu
insist on more hours n fewer pay"
Charles Chester handed him fresh
beer, patted him encouragingly on the
shoulder, and said with admiration:
| "keepitup, OIL man Tha' s a swell
speech you re maxim"
u While Badly Billings was discussing
\ the passing of the independent cab
II | driver and his absorption by the
II ] larger establishments, Richard Ran
r dali Rollison sat alternately wrapped
in thought and busy with lead pen
| ell. At the conclusion Of Mr. billings
remarks he took the floor and begged
leave to present resolution, which
he had fearfully and wonderfully writ
re ten on a wedding invitation.
"Misser Presiden' an gen'l'men, II
view of the fac that fun'rals form
w vast source income to our members,
o desire to present followin' resol--reso
u" lushrn n move is doption.
iis Resolved That we view with larn
ne increasin' tenncy to 'stablish dowr
W town crem'tores as bein inim-inim
&C this body" he coEclut.l,..
'n A wall-eyed party in the rear ros
NJ to remark that he couldn't see n
,.e sense in that He didn't object
~ them crematories, as his wife FRI
~" quently dropped in there for ice creai
'"' of an evening. Charles Cheste
iel pressed him down in his seat, an
, us placed a fresh glass of beer In h
~. hand, as being easier than enterin
mo into explanations while the resolutio
went through with hurrah.
eh' But finally came time whe
Charles Chester was out of a job II
my want of material The beer was on
", the kegs were empty, the play W;
~, ~, over IT was time to ring down Il
90, curtain and depart. And it was the
~ that Richard Randall paved the W;
for an early departure for Sumatr
Rising to his feet, he secured recogr
',e ton from the chair, and spoke lol
- -, and feelingly regarding capital al
labor. finally narrowing his remar
to a consideration OF the financial ;
fairs of the Cab Drivers union.
had been informed by his friend. N
Dugan, the popular and efficient secl
tary of the -organ-body--th
a bloated, plutocratic landlord charg
three dollars per evening as rent
mo for the hall in which they met.
desired TO call the attention of tho
present to the fact that three dolla
i'eu would buy a keg of beer. and W
a"u their money to go to doubly enrich
~. oei sordid bondholder while the me
bers of this organ -body-were sun
eau ing for beer? No, by heaven A
iou- again. no, Not while Richard Rand
nes Rolison had apartments in viii
ees they might meet.
was AN so, Misser President, | me
vas that in future all meetin's this
1ne gan-organ-or gan'zashun knew
lpie could do TIA gratified aside
WIN Brownee-"be held in my rooms
ou' the Alamo partner house"
sdin The motion was seconded
saeh Charles Chester, and carried ami
rom the widest enthusiasm.
ilais And that was why, when the fai
sach full gathered at five O'Clock the follt
was ing afternoon. they found ROLLS
o"h' deep in preparations for hasty
me- extended trip TO the far east