“He did that, at Ucayga, this afternoon. He offered to carry all who would go with him for a dollar. I don’t think many people will be willing to start three-quarters of an hour sooner in the morning, change twice in a trip, and go in those old boats for the sake of saving half a dollar. However, that is to be proved. But a hundred passengers, at a dollar and a half, pays as well as a hundred and fifty at a dollar.”
“By the great horn spoon, won’t my father be astonished when he sees the Ucayga putting in at Hitaca!”
“No doubt of it.”
“He will approve what I have done, I know,” added Waddie. “Do you suppose Major Toppleton has gone up in the steamer ahead of us?”
“Probably he has; he will be too anxious to see the working of the new arrangement to stay at home.”
“I have been thinking of some way to make peace between our two families,” added Waddie.
“Have you, indeed? Well, that is hopeful,” I replied.
“I am afraid this rivalry will prevent any coming together, even if my father were willing to make up. Do you feel quite sure that we are doing right in running opposition to the other line?” asked Waddie seriously; and I could not help thinking of the proverbial zeal of new converts.
“Let us look at it a moment,” I answered, willing to take a fair view of the whole subject. “Before the railroad was built, the boats charged a dollar and a half from Hitaca to Ucayga, and went through without any change. Then a Centreport passenger had to cross the lake, go twenty miles by railroad, and then cross back again. Half a dollar was added to the price of passage from one end of the lake to the other. Centreport was not accommodated, and was overcharged. Is there any moral law which compels people to submit to imposition? On the contrary, ought they not to resist? The steamboat company carries passengers quicker, more comfortably, and at a less price. It is, therefore, doing the public a service, though at the expense of the other line. Your course is not only right, but commendable. All the people and all the towns on the lake must not suffer in order to make the Lake Shore Railroad profitable to its owner.”
“I suppose you are right; but I wish the competition did not add to the ill-will between the two sides.”