"I would like to have a carriage to-morrow. We want to start at six. Can you accommodate us?"
"I am sorry," was the reply, "to refuse, Mr. Golden; but we have lately passed a resolution down at the office to let no more horses upon the Sabbath for secular business or pleasure excursions."
"Why, Mr. Trafton! Really—I—! You are not in earnest?"
"In serious earnest. Our notice was put in the 'Standard' this morning, and also posted on the doors at the office and the stables," replied Mr. Trafton.
"Really, this is very astonishing! What does it mean? Aren't you afraid your business will fall off seriously?" asked Mr. Golden.
"I presume it will. But you see I wanted to do something to please my boy here, and hit upon this thing."
"Too bad! I wish you could accommodate us this once. It will be a great disappointment, as our party is all made up."
"I am sorry for your disappointment," was the reply. "I meant to have got the notice in the paper early in the week, but by an oversight of Dalton's, it was omitted."
"Well, all I have to say," said Mr. Golden, half angrily, "is that you will lose by it. It is an unheard of proceeding. Mon who expect the public to patronize them must try to please the public."
At this indirect threat Mr. Trafton smiled, and replied—