Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-04
ANGRY DIR. POTTER.

"See here. JONES' he exclaimed, i'm
petuously, al hear that you're going TO
put up new building and run it up two
stories higher than mine
"Well, that's true, replied Mr.. Jones,
with a grin of qualification at Potters
evident dismay.
"But you can't; your walls won't stand
it."
"Oh, yes they will I've seen to that.
They will be strong enough to suit me.
The interior walls were built with view
to this contingency when this building
was put up, and the exterior ones will be
all right.
"But if you 60 two stories higher than
my building, mine will be dwarfed in
appearance. "
Il do not perceive how that concerns
NO."
"You shall not build higher than me-"
"But WILL" replied Jones, with
compliment smile.
"lf you do, will add two stories
above you on mine.
"You wouldn't get any tenants in
them. and that would break your heart.
"I-l-will start q public library in
them"
"who will you get to supply the
books ?"
That effective shot at Mr.. Potter's
lack of liberality was too much for him,
and he rushed away, with an objurgA-
tory howl. And now he stares up at the
noble pile towering high above the
building in which he has hitherto taken
so much pride, and is in agony OF doubt
whether it will pay him TO build higher,
and if his walls will stand his doing so.
AN ANCIENT CHARITY.
The recent admission of Mayor Abram
s. Hewitt to membership in the "Gene-
raj Society of Mechanics and Trades
men of this city brings to public no.
tice an old organization which. despite
its wealth, power, and honorable record,
is almost unknown 10 the average citi-
zen. 1t may be seriously questioned,
nevertheless, il "The Mechanics So
ciety," as It is Familiarity called, has not
been of greater advantage to the people
OF Manhattan Island than any one of
the Weather and moro powerful chart
ties which minister 10 the same class.
The society finds a home in a hand
some building At lS east Sixteenth street,
Just off Filth avenue. The hall is
double building covering the entire plot
two hundred by forty feet and is four
stories high. 1t contains reading rooms
in which are kept the leading news
papers, periodicals., and magazines,
superb library of over 10000 volumes,
and valuable collection of Americana
aud other objects of historical interest
a school and class-rooms in which are
taught stenography. free. hand drawing,
mechanical drafting and modelling TO
Young men and women who are unable
to pay tuition in other schools.
GRADING FOR THE MASSES"
Despite the freedom Of the library the
majority OF its readers are of the great
class for whom it was founded-viz.
men and women who work for living.
Mechanics, clerks, apprentices, shop
girls. sewing-women, accountants, and
book-keepers have a very large repre-
sentation. All vacations are on the
list however. Young and ambi-
tons actresses, singers, and ballet
girls call every day 10 make up for
their schoolgirl deficiencies. Poor
lawyers, unsuccessful doctors, and theo-
logical students make liberal use OF
both The circulating and reference libra
mes. especially the latter Inventors aud |
those interested in patents are also IA
milisr faces 10 the officers Some OF the |