The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-08-11


carving great chips of their enthusi-
asm. Barnabas' earnings were being
cut into, of course.
Jacob alone of the councilmen was
indomitable, and he inspired his col
leagues to fight on for another week.
Hell never hold out" Jacob reit-
Grated. Hes got to come to terms.
He's got to! Then we kin git an iron
clad agreement out of him, and his
monopoly will be busted. Wen be able
to control rates!"
But Barnabas did not surrender, and
after the fourth week the villfge coun-
cilors had had enough. Seventy dol
lars wasted in four weeks! 1t was not
to be heard of longer. Besides, the
town lawyer told them that 1t might
come out of their own pockets If any
taxpayer protested, for the expenditure
was beyond their authority. Learning
of this, Barnabas promptly lodged
formal protest.
Forthwith the monopolist was sum-
moned again to the council chamber.
BE you willin' to sign agreement
J to let this here council fix your rate of
fare?" demanded Jacob.
NOW, Mr.. Whittle," said Barnabas
! in a panied voice. "how could i do
that? Maybe you'd have me carryin'
folks for q cent ride"
You're a illegal monopolyT shouted
Jacob.
maybe so; maybe so. faint my
fault. Nobody knew it till you found
1t out"
you raised your prices
Here Martin Goodhand made his
presence felt.
IF we pull Off our band wagon will
you promise to come back to your old
prices and stay there? You're losin'
money every day."
Barnabas made no reply, and Martin
kicked the table in disgust. His anger
got the better of him.
"We'll show you, Barney Beagle!
You can't go playin' no tricks on us.
Well fight this here thing to a finish
If every cent has to come out o. my
own pocket. Well bust you"
Jest q minute" returned Barnabas
soothingly. Lets talk this over quiet.
Let's see how long it's goin' to take to
bust me and how much it'll cost you &c
do it. Let's jest see. Now, guess
rec'llect right-youre payin' two-fifty
q day for that old band wagon, eh?'
Martin nodded.
"And two day for the hosses?"
Again q nod.
"Who be you payin' it tor
"Henny Richards, of course"
"Um," grunted Barney. Now let's
look at me. I'm maxim livin' with
my bus. Even with the fallin' off in
trade 1 been comm within a dollar
day Of what 1 made before. But"-he
paused and gTinned amiably At jacob
II got other resources"
| Everybody sat erect and stared.
What d'you mean?" demanded Mar
tin.
II got crowd of village councillors
helpin' me out" Barnabas explained,
with broad grin; ''payin me matter
of four-fifty day, and two-fifty OF
that is clear profit"
What" roared Martin, seconded by
Jacob White.
THAT gives me dollar an half
more profit than was maxim before"
Barnabas pointed out. "You see, Hen
ny Richards don't own that band wag.
on nor them hosses."
"WhatY shouted the council.
"No." replied Barnabns happily. II
bought 'em from Henry just before
Jacob turned up to borrow EN-"
"And then bid agin me to raise the
hirev yelled Jacob.
you was wantin' competition" said
Barnabas.
Martin Goodhand arose slowly.
81 guess we got 1t, all right-plenty
Of It! / reckon, Jacob. we better leave
monopoly Dustin to them that's used
TO It. For me, I'm satisfied"
Barnabas walked to the door. recog-
nizing surrender.
Seems competitions withdrew" he
said. my charges comes down to the
old fgger. That was good enough for
1