Instantly the young man's manner changed.
"So you fooled me, eh! Well, the next stop is Valdosta, Ga. You'll have to get off there," was the sharp retort.
A half hour later I was walking the streets of Valdosta, a much wiser man.
How true is the old saying: "A wise man keeps his tongue in his heart, but a fool keeps it in his mouth."
It was near daylight and bitter cold. A night cop directed me to a lodging house. After I had rung the bell several times the landlady appeared. She had hastily dressed and, with a frown on her face, stood shivering in the cold.
"You might share a room with my son," she replied hurriedly.
"Thank you ever so much. What will it cost?" I asked.
"Twenty-five cents," was the pistol-like retort. "Do you want the room?"
"Madam, the night is most over, and my money is low; would you accept 15 cents for the rest of the night?"
"I suppose I shall have to let you in," she said.
Five minutes later I had waked up her son, who began saying uncomfortable things about some people coming in at all times of the night; but the remainder of his remarks fell on deaf ears, for I was fast asleep.
It was the first bed I had been in since leaving home.
The depot was close by, and the ticket agent informed me that the train bound for Madison, Fla., would pull out in a few minutes.
The fare from Valdosta to Madison is eighty-five cents, and I only had sixty cents.
Acting upon the impulse I boarded the train without purchasing a ticket.
Madison is on the main line between Jacksonville and Pensacola, and would, therefore, afford a better opportunity to catch a west-bound train than if I went to Montgomery.
In due time I was confronted by the conductor.
"How much to Madison?" I asked, feeling in my pockets.
"I haven't but 60 cents, conductor; carry me as far as you can for that, and I'll walk the rest of the distance."
"If you'll pardon me, I'll loan you 50 cents," said he.
"If you'll provide me with an address to which I can return the amount, I'll accept with thanks," I replied.
Taking my book he wrote down, J. M. Turner, Jr., Gainesville, Fla. "I'm cigar salesman for a Gainesville house," he said.
About this time another passenger spoke out.
"I'll loan you twenty-five cents myself," said he, "if you need it."