The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-20
VERY GREAT SCHEME.
There's Money in it if You Provide
Against Possible Inconvenience.

Against Possible Inconvenience.
From the Nep York Sun.
II was in Chicago some weeks ago." said
a well-known man-about-town, land had
some business with a friend away on the
outskirts of the city, five miles or SO from
my hotel. During the transaction of the
business we had occasion to enter a cafe
near BY. While we were there a fine-look-
ing man, gray whiskered, and bearing a
strong resemblance to the late Roscoe
Conkling, came briskly into the place and
called for the best rye whisky. 1t was set
before him. He poured out gentleman's
drink. He had the glass half way to his
lips, and as he was raising it nearer he
slipped his other hand into his trousers.
A queer expression came suddenly into his
face. He put the glass down.
81 beg pardonr he said TO the bartender,
Il don't want the drink.
"With that he hurried out
"'Crazyr said the bartender, or else he
didn't have the price
81 returned to the hotel soon afterward.
An hour or so later l was passing out to
take the train on my way east, when | met
the gray whiskered man who had so sud
denly changed his mind about taking the
drink at the cafe He came into the hotel
looking jaded. If I'd had time I'd have
satisfied my curiositysabout the man there
and then. But l didn't, and hurried on to
catch my train.
Tie other day L dropped into the Bohe-
mia on Broadway, and you may imagine
my surprise when l saw the handsome
gray-whiskered hero of the incident at the
out-of-the-way cafe in Chicago sitting at
table with jolly group, of which he
seemed to be the life. | was introduced to
him. He proved to be one of the most
jovial Of all the genuine old-time actors.
lIr.1H lolxN %nl1 H. ,lor
what peculiar circumstances had seen him
in Chicago, and asked him if he remem-
bered it.
''I should say sol he replied, and it was
all because of my not having quarter in
stead of 80 cents. Seems funny, doesn't
it, But, at the the same time, I'd have had
that drink If I'd had a quarter in my
pocket, but with the 80 cents l couldn't get
it. 1t was this way. Some weeks ago l
had sudden inspiration, and | said to my
wife that from then on I'd never spend
another 10-cent piece, but that every one |
got I'd keep for the children to put in their
savings banks. My wife thought that would
be a tolerably correct measure, and
it was adopted at once. 1t had
you saw me in Chicago. l was playing
an engagement there at the time. The
day of the little cafe incident had gone
out to that jumping off place on business.
just before starting found | had no money
in my pocket, and got silver dollar from
my wife. The street car conductor gave
me nine 10 cent pieces and a nickel in
change when | paid my fare. | ran about
for two or three hours out there, and when
| got through | was tired from head to
foot, and if ever | yearned for large and
! juicy ball it was just then. | spied the
little saloon and struck q bee line for it =,
tossing my nickel TO a blind begglr as
went. That drink you heard me order was
| going to taste better than anything I'd
had for many moons AS l was dallying
| with it in joyful expectancy | felt for the
money to pay for it. You may have no
| tlced the shade of sorrow, of disappoint-
ment, of hopelessness that swept over my
| face at that moment. IL was born of the
| suddennesS with which the awfulness of
the situation struck Inc when my fingers
came III contact with the nine 10-cent
| pieces. Instead of four OF five fat and solid
nickels. l had but paltry 80 cents, and
| I'd have choked on the drink if | had used
a single ninth part of the sum to pay for it.
! That was why l returned the cup to the
| bartender and refused to look upon it when
| it was red and went sorrowfully but
hastily out. l rushed for a street
car. 1t was not until the conductor came
around for his fare that l came to myself
again. Again the fatal nine 10-cent pieces
arose before me, and | suppose the con-
| ductor also thought was crazy or broke,
the way got off that car. l tramped the
five miles back home, and | suppose | was
| just dragging myself into the hotel as you
were going out. But it's a great scheme, ,
concluded the actor. "A fellow can save a
! lot Of money by holding on to his Decent
! pieces; but he wants to have couple of
! dollars with him to spend while doing it, if
| he doesn't want to go dry and walk"