Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-12-01

fyll lolhS IIOm TIE uepOL 10 Iue nOlel
is % cents, and for cartin' EN- from
their houses to the train is half a dol
lar"
With that Mr.. Beagle stamped out.
1--WE got to fight" Jacob rasped.
1--WE will not be trod on. Well I'll a
competin' line, and we won't charge
but half of Barney's old prices. Then
we'll see where he'll be with his mo
nopolyil'
Meantime Barnabas Beagle hurried
to the printing office and had printed
two huge %placards, with black letters,
on red paper, reading:
BARNABAS BEAGLE
BUS MONOPOLY
Prices Doubled and Custom Solicited
These he fastened, one on each side
of his bus, and drove noisily down
Main street.
Jacob Whittle, with the burden of
the campaign on his willing shoulders,
gave thought to ways and means.
First, 1t was clear, a conveyance capa-
BILE of transporting passengers and bag
gage must be had. For an hour Jacob
vainly endeavored to scale this obsta-
Gle, but his indomitable will finally led
him to a path that might reach its
crest.
The path took the shape of the vii
lage band wagon. a cumbersome affair
on wheels, consisting of a huge wood
en- body, with long, parallel, cloth up
holstered seats. 1t was uncovered, but
would serve its purpose. 1t was owned
by Henry Richards.
Forth sailed Jacob to the Richards
home, where. behind the barn, stood
the objective vehicle. He summoned
Henry, who emerged from the barn.
you'd be willin' to do a service for
the community" asked Jacob, rub
bling his hands.
depends some on the SERVICE" he
hesitated.
"If it was lendin' the village this
here band wagon for a spellT" suggest
ed the diplomatic Jacob.
"Gratis?' asked Kenny.
"Gratis," nodded Jacob.
"In that there case," Henry said
positively, ~ feel my public spirit ooz-
in out rapid. Besides, I've
At this moment Barnabas Beagle ap-
peared around the corner of the barn.
He glanced at Jacob and nodded. 81
came to see you," he said, addressing
Henry, "about rentin' this old band
wagon of your'n."
But" Henry wheezed.
st want to hire it for a few weeks"
declared Barnabas.
Jacob seized Henry by the arm.
II was here first!" he said eXcitedly.
81 came irst!'
ITO borrow, not to hire" observed
Henry, who had resumed his usual
calm.
"II pay-T1l pay!" exclaimed Jacob.
"How much?"
"Fifty cents a day"
Barnabas grunted scornfully.
"Ill give 70 CENTS" he said.
Jacob glared at the ~monopolist. "a
dollar!" he shouted.
"And a quarter" bid Barnabas.
"Dollar'n a half" groaned Jacob, his
face working conyulsively.
Two OOlldrS, FdlBeu
Jacob hesitated until he saw Henry
turn to his rival and open his mouth.
"Two'n a half!' he beloved.
Barnabas was silent.
Its your'n," observed Henry.
"Cash in advance!'
Jacob paid over a days rental with
reluctance, his eyes fixed on the pro-
prietor Of the local monopoly with a
baleful glare. He even shook his fist.
"This'l come out of you, Barney
Beagle!" he vowed. you'll be made
to payr"
Barnabas smiled tolerantly, and
Henry Richards doubled up with sup
recovered enough to ask If Jacob de
sired horses and a driver.
81 kin rent 'em to you and drive my
self"
slow muchT"
1.-TWO dollars a day for the bosses
and a dollar a day for me-"
Jacob recognized the price as reason
able and closed at once. His campaign
against monopoly was costing $3.50
q day, and he was pledged TO carry
fares at half Barnabas' old rate. He
hoped the opposition would be unable
to hold out long against such competi-
ton.
The following morning the active
campaign opened. Henny appeared at
the depot platform on the seat of the
band wagon just as Barnabas drove up
on his bus. Barney's sign was still
displayed. On the band wagon was a
legend which begged all public spirited
people t. help break the monopoly and
save money at the same time. Prices
Of 5 cents to the hotel and 10 cents
elsewhere were offered. Barnabas Sc
renely made demand for a quarter to
the hotel and 80 cents beyond.
The train drew in, and a dozen peo-
pie alighted. Two were travelling men