Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-07-31
Mr.. HAZELDT'S ECONOMY.

Mr.. Gerald Hazeldt sat in his private
office, indulging in reverie and an after
luncheon smoke. He was at ease with
himself = supremely content with the
World, for it had treated him well. Presi
dent Of successful life insurance com.
bany, in receipt of a large salary, happy
10 his family, and possessed of a good
digestion, he was not ambitious fol
further preferment.
The Office boy interrupted his pleasant
thoughts by presenting a card which
bore the name "Anthony Roberts" "De-
sizes to see you on important business,
ST."
Every well, show him In" said the
president, with sigh.
Anthony Roberts came in briskly, and
after seating himselfin the chair to which
the president pointed, stated his busi-
ness tn few words.
II have come to secure contribution
from the company of which you are the
head to a fund for the defense of my
brother, David Roberts, charged with
murder"
He spoke with confidence and Mr..
Hazeldt looked at him in amazement.
"An assessment2" he presently in
quired, blandly.
"No," said Mr.. Roberts, "a plain
business proposition. You have issded
policy on my brothers life for $50, O0O
If he is convicted and executed, your
Company will have to pay that sum to
his widow"
Certainly" assented the president.
"Guess we can stand it, though"
"No doubt; bnt suppose he is not
convicted?"
"Eh2"
Mr.. Hazeldt had no doubt of the guilt
of the accused, but the query of the
visitor raised a question In his mind.
''Skillful counsel is what he needs, y
continued Mr.. Roberts, "but he is bank.
rupt and canhot raise the money necessary
to fetain powerful, eloquent, and inhuen
tial attorneys"
''1n that case we need not worry abou
the policy; would lapse before his deati
on account of the non-payment of pre-
miums," said the president decidedly, as
as if to dismiss the whole subject.
''But his wife-you forget her. She
is the beneficiary and will Keep his poll
cies alive, for she firmly believes that h
is guilty and that he will be executed,
'lHas she any financial resources2
''Some, land she can obtain assistanc
from man who will marry her when sh
is o widow
'Will she not do anything to support
her husband?" inquired the president
musingly.
''Nothing. She wants him out of tn
way, and believes the law will divorc
her,"
"And suppose we contribute, say $40,
600, and your brother is cleared2"
/" He will agree to cancel the policy.
"Been to any other company"
"No, nearly all his other policies hav
become void or have been exchanged TO
paid-up policies"
Then our company is really the onl.
one ipterested2n
eyes,
"Do you believe your brother guilty9'
81 do not, )" replied Mr.. Roberts, meet
ing the presidents searching glance un.
fliuchingly.
then said: Come and see me tomorrow.
Mr.. Roberts withdrew, and the prosi
dent lighted fresh cigar, but he die
not smoke as complacently as was hi
wont. He was pdzzling over a mora
question--would 1t be right to assist
man, who was undoubtedly guilty o
murder, to escape punishment Blu
there was that $50, 900. BY paymer
of $4,000, $40, 600 could be saved t
the company which he had managed S
successfully, and that sum would go
long way toward paying running eX
penses. Financial considerations an
morality waged conflict in the pres
dents usually placid mind, and rufile
his serenity. He spoke gruffly, to tn
astonishment of the office boy, and wa
abrupt with those who called on bushes
matters.
Finally he sent the office boy tc
the newspaper offices with instruc
tiops to procure copies of the papers il
which the account of the murder
highly sensational crime = had beer
given. When he obtained them he rcac
them and carefully compared all the ac
counts. He succeeded only in confirming
his opinion that the accused was guilty,
and he was firmly convinced that tc
assist him to escape the vengeance of the
law from desire to save money for the
company would be placing himself
morally in the position of an accessory
after tho fact. He therefore decided moi
to contribute to defense fund.
But there was the $40, 900
He did not wish to lose that.
And there was the wife, the cold sell
fish wife, who wanted her husband tc
die so that, without scandal, she could
marry the man who was willing to lent
her money to pay the premiums on hel
husbands life insurance policy who
when the money was paid would shar,
the proceeds with her. Was this not
conspiracy to defraud the company
Ought it not be met by another con
spiracy to cheat the law
eyes" said the president.
NO." said conscience in thunderinl
tones at first, but in milder voice pres
emily, and at last with gasp and
gurgle-its death rattle.
The president had triumphed. Con
science was dead
When Mr.. Roberts came the next day
he knew from the welcome that he re
ceived that the president had determine,