Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-26
EASILY MALE HAPPY.
Haw - Rich Man Learned Some Philos,

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 ne 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
if in mad desire to crush them and get
at the hearts of those who had sought
temporary shelter there.
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 umbrel-
las. or who. enveloped 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 even
an overcoat. Heran 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 his kind unless
they come properly introduced. But he
looked at this specimen of humanity and
saw at glance that it was very wet
specimen, plainly and lightly clad, but
with a frank. manly. German counte
nance Not having been addressed by it
he felt still more interested.
BAD day for you" he said pleasantly.
Yes, for anybody" replied the man.
folding his arms across his water soaked
bosom.
'Got far to go?'
Right good bit, said the specimen.
You'd better take street car Here
comes one going right down Broadway
No: I'm going over on the other side
and then down the Bowery."
We'll, that is good bit. but you can
get a 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, see
ing the cynical look that came into the
gentleman's face, but want tina. for
a1ua Tbot's ba roocor Tn,
footing It. I'll get wet, but when / get
down to the place can get dried out fo-
a glass of beer"
The perfect confidence of the specimen
in his programme elected the echo:
For glass of beer?"
'Oh, yesi You see, don't stop at ar
expensive hotel It's the Palmer House
down in Chatham square, and"
Chatham square7 Why, that's miles
from here!"
"a 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 will let me dry out before
the big stove. can't get much wetter
If took street car. you see, I'd have nc
beer and no place to dry" He laughed
again.
You don't seem to mind it much"
Mind it'll What's the use? I'll be fixed
all right in day or two. And as for a
little water-faughr' The specimen shook
himself like a young spaniel. We'll,
must be running c, I'll get cold" said
he, and he started off without more pre-
iminary.
Hold on there" shouted the aston
ished gentleman. Come back here mo-
ment." The specimen came slowly back.
but he shivered in spite of his air of in
difference
"How much money have you gotY'
Fifteen cents if walk-ten cents If ]
ride" the specimen replied rather shame
facedly.
well, here; yon ride" He put half
dollar into the specimens hand.
The specimen looked at it moment
like fash, and catching the giver's
hand before it could be withdrawn mute
ly pressed it to his lips. There had been
nothing cringing or sycophantic or whin-
ing There was nothing of the sort now.
It was a grateful, impulsive exhibition
of genuine gratitude for just one in
slant: then with frank and glistening
eyes he said:
Ride? And I'll eat too-and sleep in
bed! I'm the happiest man in New York;
And the specimen dashed down the
street through the pelting rain, cut into
Thirty fifth street and disappeared to-
ward the east side. And the rich gentle
man looked up at the cloud riven sky.
shook the folds out of his silk umbrella
and started buoyantly down Broadway.
saying softly, The happiest man in
New Yorkr'-New York Herald.