Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1893-01-14
EASILY MADE HAPPY.

How a Rich Man Learned Some Phtloso-
ply ON q Rainy Day.
A rich gentleman Of my acquaintance
got caught In the rain the other day
while out for walk On upper Broad
way. He Is not only rich, but eccentric,
in that he rarely rides and that he walks
a great deal. The rain that for long
time fell gently increased In quantity
and was caught up by the rising wind
and shot into faces and doorways, where
people hopefully huddled for the time,
and beat upon the awnings and signs as
IL in mad desire to crush them and get
at the hearts of those who had sought
temporary shelter there.
The gentleman, although protected by
q 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 umbrel-
las, or who, onveloped from head to heels
in waterproofs, went edging along with
one ear turned down to windward, as If
to split the storm. But this particular
man commanded his attention because
he had no umbrella and no waterproof
and although the day was cold not oven
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 rich men Of the world my
friend Is suspicious Of hts kind unless
they come properly introduced. But he
looked at thus specimen Of humanity and
saw at glance that 1t was vary wet
specimen, plainly and lightly clad. but
with frank, manly, German counte-
nance. Not having been addressed by 1t,
he felt still more interested.
"Bad day for you," he said pleasantly.
eyes, for anybody" replied the man.
folding his arms across his water soaked
bosom.
"Got far to goY"
Fright good Bit" said the specimen.
you'd better take street ear. Here
comes one going right down Broadway"
mo; Pm going over on the other side
and then down the Bowery."
ssWell, that h Q good bit, but you can
get car over there" remarked my
friend.
The specimen laughed. "a street car
is too rich for my blood today" said he.
"Oh, I've got the money" he added, Soc
ing the cynical look that came into the
gentleman's face. "but want that for
something else. That's the reason Tn
footing 1t. I'll get wet, but when / get
down to the place can get dried out for
glass of beer"
The perfect confidence of the specimen
in his programme elected the echo:
"For a glass Of beeTY
"Oh, yes! You see, don't stop at an
expensive hotel. It's the Palmer House.
down In Chatham square, and"
Chatham squaref Why, that's miles
from herei"
81 know that well enough, but I'll get
there In an hour or two" was the cheer
full reply. When do I'll buy glass OF
beer, and they win let me dry out before
the big stove. can't got much wetter.
If took street car. you SEQ, I'd have nc
beer and no place to dry" BE laughed
again.
"You don't seem to mind II much
Mind It'll What's the uses I'll be fzed
all right In day or two. And ss for q
little water-faughr' The specimen shook
himself like young spaniel. well,
must be running or III get cold, said
he, and he started of without more pre-
hninary.
Hold on there" shouted the aston
ished gentleman. Come back here mo-
ment.' The specimen came slowly back,
but be shivered In spite Of his air Of In
difference.
Glow much money have you gotS
Fifteen cents If wa1k-ten cents II ]
ride" the specimen replied rather shame
facedly.
"Well, here; you ride" He put hall
dollar into the specimens hand.
The specimen looked at 1t moment
like a fash, and catching the giver'l
hand before 1t could be withdrawn mute
ly pressed it to his lips. There had beer
nothing bringing or sycophantic or whin
ing. There was nothing Of the sort now
It was a grateful, inpulsive exhibition
Of genuine gratitude for Just one In
slant; then with frank and gfistentns
eyes he said:
"Ridel And I'll eat too-and sleepin {
bedi I'm the happiest man Ia New York;
And the specimen dashed down tn
street through the pelting rain, cut init
Thirty-ffth street and disappeared TO
ward the east side. And the rich gentle
man looked up ct the cloud rtven sky
shook the folds out Of his silk umbrella
and started buoyantly down Broadway
saying softly, "Ths happiest msn |,
/ New Yorkr-New York Herald.