Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1909 — A Splendid Bluff. [ARTICLE]

A Splendid Bluff.

Sir Walter Besant is said to have once settled a disputed cab fare in a novel manner. He drove from Piccadilly to some place In the suburbs outside the radius. On getting down he tendered to the driver 3s. 6d., which was a little over the proper fare. The man, however, wanted 5 shillings. Besant refused. ‘Td like to fight yon for it,” said the driver. “The very thing,” said Besant, who had never In his life put on a boxing glove and was almost as Ignorant as Pickwick even of the fighting attitude. “The very thing! Capital! We’ll have the fight in the back garden. My brother will look om hold the stakes and see fair.” The cabman got down slowly, ns if he did not quite care about it after all. He followed into the garden, where there was a lovely bit of green turf. Besant placed the 6 shillings in his friend’s hands, took off his coat and waistcoat and rolled tip his sleeves, all with an air of cheerful alacrity. “Now, my friend.” said he, “I am ready as soon as you are.” His anxiety was great, but it decreased as ha watched the cabman’s face express successively all the emotions of bounce, surprise, doubt, hesitation and abject cowardice. "No, no,” be said at last. “Gimme the three and six. I know yonr tricks, both of you. I’ve been done this way before.”—London Mail.