The conductor on an English railway once overcharged him a shilling for fare. He promptly complained to the directors, and had the man discharged. "Not," said he, "that I could not afford to pay the shilling, but the man was cheating many travelers to whom the swindle would be offensive."
Several years ago he chanced to ride in a hack in Salem, Massachusetts, and upon reaching his destination tendered the driver his usual fee of fifty cents.
"Here's your change, sir," said the man, handing him back fifteen cents.
"Change!" exclaimed Mr. Peabody; "why, I'm not entitled to any."
"Yes, you are; I don't charge but thirty-five cents for a ride in my hack."
"How do you live, then?"
"By fair dealing, sir. I don't believe in making a man pay more than a thing is worth just because I have an opportunity."
Mr. Peabody was so much pleased with this reply, that as long as he remained in Salem he sought this man out and gave him his custom.
In his dress Mr. Peabody was simple and unostentatious. He was scrupulously neat and tasteful, but there was nothing about him to indicate his vast wealth. He seldom wore any jewelry, using merely a black band for his watch-guard. Display of all kinds he abominated.