One morning, a gentleman came to the yard. He wanted Jerry Barker to drive his wife to church every Sunday. Jerry Barker thanked the man but he said no. He said he had a six-days’ license (an official paper that allows a person to do a job).
The gentleman said Jerry Barker could change his license to seven days. But Jerry Barker did not want to work on Sundays. He said the work was too hard for him and for the horses. He wanted a day of rest with his family.
The gentleman said the distance to the church was short. He said Jerry Barker would have the afternoon for himself. But Jerry Barker said God made a day of rest for men and for beasts. He said he was healthier because he rested on Sundays.
The gentleman was not happy. He said he would find another driver. Jerry Barker called Polly Barker into the yard. He told Polly Barker about the gentleman’s offer. He said the gentleman was a very good customer.
Jerry Barker asked Polly Barker for her opinion. Polly Barker said she did not want Jerry Barker to work on Sundays. She said they had enough money for food and rent. She preferred a happy, quiet day with her husband and children.
Jerry Barker was happy because Polly Barker agreed with him. He told her not to worry. They lost the customer, but they kept their day of rest. For three weeks, Jerry Barker did not get any orders from that family.
The other drivers talked about Jerry Barker. Most men said he was a fool. But a man named Truman said Jerry Barker was right. Truman said every man and every animal has a right to rest on Sunday.
Larry said he did not believe in religion. He said religious people were not better than other people. Jerry Barker said that real religion is the best thing in the world. He said some people are humbugs (people who are not honest), but that does not mean religion is bad.
Another driver named Jones said religion was a sham. He said religious people made cab drivers work on Sundays so they could go to church. Jones said he had to work while they prayed.
Jerry Barker said every man must look after his own soul. He said if all the Sunday drivers stopped working, the problem would end. He said people could walk to church or wear a coat if it rained. He believed that if a thing is right, it can be done.