The Daily Morning Journal And Courier

SHE WAS NOT ROBBED
She Knew it, Because She Had Her Ride and Her Money
[From the Chicago Daily Tribune.]

She was wearing a lovely new gown and she greeted a friend who entered the car with the air of a woman who feels that she has done her duty to society.

The conductor entered the car, collected the nickel of the newcomer, and said briefly to the dainty gowned one: "Fare please."

"I gave it to you when I first got in; you should be more careful," she said sternly. Then, turning to her companion: "Does the man fancy I would defraud him of his five cents? Why, I wouldn't do such a thing for the world."

"He must think that you are like Eva."

"He must, indeed. I believe she would perish at the stake rather than pay her own car fare. Why, the other day we were coming down town together, and she hunted five pennies out of her pocket and said, 'Won't you give me a nickel for these? The conductor hates so to take 'em in.'"

"Of course you paid her fare."

"Of course. And she was so pleased that she insisted on taking me out to lunch, and as we were late getting home she would bring me up in a cab.
And I do believe she thinks she is five cents ahead."

"No doubt. But Mrs. Skinner is the meanest woman I ever knew. She called for me one day to go somewhere, and after we were on the car she said: 'You just pay my fare, please. I have only a $20 bill with me.'"

"Where did she ever get so much money?"

"She hadn't it. I had forgotten my purse, but the conductor said never mind, he could change the note. She turned red and white and pretended to look for it, though she knew it wasn't there."

"What did you do?"

"Oh, after I had let her fumble about ten minutes I fished 10 cents out of my cape pocket. It was great fun."

At this juncture the conductor entered the car once more.

"Beg pardon, lady," he said "but you really ain't paid any fare."

She drew herself up haughtily: "I paid it when I first got in; I am always most particular about it. I remember it perfectly because I noticed that it was the only nickel in my purse when I got it out."

"But madam, you—"

"Oblige me with your number," she said majestically, "the company shall hear of this. If I cannot ride on this line without being insulted I shall patronize another. You may stop the car."

The two ladies got off in great indignation, while the remaining passengers looked suspiciously at the conductor.

"I shall have my husband attend to this," she said. "the man simply wanted to pocket the extra fare. But I shan't get angry over it; it is so unbecoming, besides Tom will be angry enough for both. O, I must tell you a story that I know about Mrs. Skinner."

"O, yes, do!"

"She—wait a moment; my glove hurts me. the fastening must be too tight. Why, here is my nickel now! I took it out of my purse, and as the conductor didn't come right away I must have slipped it in my glove!"

"And you never paid any fare after all!"

"No, and I almost accused the man of being a thief, with the money in my own glove!" And she stood ruefully looking after the car.