Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-01-26
EASILY MADE HAPPY.
How a Rich Man Learned Some Philosopt

oh - kssttey
A rich gentleman of my acquaintance
got caught in the rain the other day
while out for a walk on upper Broad
way He is not only rich but eccentric,
in that he rarely rides and that he
walks great deal The rain that for
a long time fell gently increased in
quantity and was caught up by the ris-
ing wind and shot into faces and door
ways, where people hopefully huddled
for the time, and beat upon the avn
ings and signs as if in mad desire to
crush them and get at the hearts of
those who had sought their temporary
shelter
The gentleman, although protected
by a stout umbrella. was finally driven
to one of these awnings, whence he
peered up and down for any stray cab
that might come that way.
By this process he saw man coming
down the street, lodging from awning
to awning and doorway to doorway
There were hundreds of people going
and coming, pushing or pulling UNI
brellas, or who, enveloped from head to
heels in waterproofs, went edglng along
with one ear turned down to windward,
as If to split the storm. But this par
tlcular man commanded his attention
because he had no umbrella and no
waterproof, and, although the day was
cold, not even an overcoat He ran
awhile, then paused in some friendly
shelter, to repeat the run to the next,
finally bringing up under the same
awning with my friend.
Like most of rich men of the world.
my friend is suspicious of his kind, I'M
less they come properly introduced
But he looked at this specimen of hui
mainly and saw at glance that it was
a very wet specimen. plainly and light
ly clad, but with a frank, manly, Ger
man countenance. Not having been
addressed by it, he felt still more inter
ested.
Bad day for YOU" he said. pleas
antly.
Yes. for anybody replied the man.
folding his arms across his water-soeked
bosom.
Got far to go?"
Fright good bit" said the specimen
You'd better take street car-here
comes one, going right down Bro l.
way"
No; I'm going over on the east side
and then down the Bowery."
well, that is a good bit;' but you
can get car over there" remarked my
friend.
The specimen laughed "A street car
is too rich for my blood to-day" said he.
''Oh, I've got the money! he added,
seeing the cynical look that came into
the gentleman's face, but I want that
for something else That's the reason
I'm footing it I'll get wet, but when 1
get down to the place 1 can get dried
out for glass of beer
The perfect confidence of the speci-
men in his programme elected the echo:
For glass of beer?''
''Oh. yes. You see, don't stop at an
expensive hotel It's the Palmer house,
down in Chatham square, and''--
Chatham square. Why, that's miles
from here,''
II know that well enough. but TIL
cheerful reply. ''When 1 do, TIL buy
glass of beer and they will let me dry
out before the big stove. 1 can't get
much wetter. II 1 took a street car
you see, I'd have no beer and no place
to dry" He laughed again.
You don't seem to mind it much
"Mind it! What's the use? I'll be
fixed all right in day or two. And as
for little water-faugh," The speci-
men shook himself like young spaniel
'WeIl, 1 must be running or I'll get
cold" said he, and he started off with
out more preliminary.
Hold on therer' shouted the as
tonished gentleman. Come back here
a moment" The specimen came slowly
back. but he shivered in spite of his air
of Indifference.
''How much money have YOU cot?"
Fifteen cents if I walk-ten cents if
ride" the specimen replied, rather
shamefacedly-
well, here; you ride" He put
half dollar into the specimens hand
The specimen looked at it a moment
like fiash-and catching the giver's
hand before it could be withdrawn
mutely pressed it to his lips. There
had been nothing cringing, or syco-
phantic, or whining. There was moth
ing of the sort now. 1t was a graceful,
impulsive exhibition of genuine graft
tude. For just one instant, then, with
frank and glistening eyes:
Ride? And I'll eat, too-aud sleep
in bedl I'm the happiest man in New
York;
And the specimen dashed down the
street through the pelting rain, cut in
to Thirtv-ffth street and disappeared
toward the east side. And the rich
gentleman looked up at the cloud riven
sky. shook the folds out of his silk UNI
brella and started buoyantlv down
broadway, saying softly: The hap
Piest man in New Yorhr'-N. Y Herald.
he Was Suspicious.
even a statesman is picked ND some