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

name. Therefore, gentlemen, one and
NIL, bein' 3 I'm monopoly, I'm a-goin'
to monopollze a little. Follerin' out
that line Of argument from and after
the present minute. my rates for car
ryin' folks from the depot to the hotel
is 25 cents. and for cartin' 'em from
their houses to the train is half dol
lar"
With that Mr.. Beagle stamped out.
I'VE got to fightv' Jacob rasped.
I'VE will not be trod on Wen run a
competin' line, and we won't charge
but half Of Barney's old prices Then
we1l see where he'll be with his mo-
nopoly!'
Meantime Barnabas Beagle hurried
to the printing office and had printed
two huge placards. with black letters
on red paper, reading:
BARNABAS B1AGLE
| 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, 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 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.
eff it was lendin' the village this
here band wagon for spell?" suggest
ed the diplomatic Jacob.
"Gratis?" asked Henry.
Gratis" nodded Jacob.
ain that there case" Henry said
positively IL feel my public spirit ooz-
in out rapid. Besides, I've
At this moment Barnabas Beagle ap-
m NINr 10 h. lxn,,x
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.
81 want to hire 1t for few weeks"
declared Barnabas.
Jacob seized Henry by the arm.
81 was here first!" he said excitedly.
II came firstv'
ITO borrow. not to hire" observed
Henry. who had resumed his usual
calm.
'Tn pay-I'll pay!" exclaimed Jacob
"How much?"
"Fifty cents day."
Barnabas grunted scornfully.
"Ill give 75 cents" he said.
Jacob glared at the monopolist. "a
dollarv' he shouted.
"And quarter" bid Harnabas.
"Dollar'n half" groaned Jacob, his
face working convulsively.
1.-TWO dollars" raised Barnabas.
Jacob hesitated until he saw Henry
turn to his rival and open his mouth.
"Two'n a halfr he beloved.
Barnabas was silent.
Its your'n," observed Kenny.
"Cash In advance!'
Jacob paid over days rental with
reluctance. his eyes fixed on the pro-
prietor of the local monopoly with
baleful glare. He even shook his fist.
"This'll come out Of you, Barney
Beaglew he vowed. you'll be made
to payw
Barnabas smiled tolerantly. and
Henry Richards doubled up with sup
pressed laughter Presently the latter
recovered enough to ask If Jacob de-
sired horses and a driver.
81 kin rent 'em to you and drive my
self"
"How much?'
"Two dollars day for the bosses
and a dollar day for me-"
Jacob recognized the price as reason
able and closed at once. His campaign
against monopoly was costing $3.50
a 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-
tion
The following morning the active
campaign opened. Henry 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 to help break the monopoly and
save money at the same time. Prices
of cents IN tho hotel md TX cents