The record-union., 1894-06-09

two before hand. The 'BuHule OF SpllH-
ters,' Mr.. Jaggers. will no doubt interest
your, family, Full OF reallslc palhos'
you know. The board will promptly ac-
knowledge any tavors. Mr.. Jaggers. we
never forget our patrons. Good morn
ing, Mr.. JaggersW
The financial agent bowed himself out
with the grace OF cavalier. leaving the
impression that Mr.. Jaggers was down
for a good round sum, and passed the
two hastily-opened ranks of wllherlng
smiles unScathed, as Jason Jaggers
mopped his forehead with his handker-
chief and sank painting and bewlldered
in his chair at his desk, while the hoarSe
messenger boy whispered to his tempo
rary audience:
''If fourteen story building'd fall on
that air bloke he' hold it up till th' hook
an ladders resk id every body in it.'
Business matters went by tits and starts
with Jason Jaggers nearly all that day.
''Sunth'n heavy on the Governors
mind,n Was the universal verdict OF his
hundreds Oh employees.
Along in the afternoon he frightened
up. He wrote and dispatched a little
note TO his residence. 1t read as tol-
lows:
DEAR DAUGHTER EDITH: Drive down for
me at B. / want your cooperation in little
experiment III direct charity. Mother and
the girls wouldn't be Interested. They are al
ready absorbed in their seaside plans Tor the
summer. You're a regular little sister OF
charity ana you'll have your hands full now.
So muil's the WORT! We can Go heaps OF
good together this summer, and have Jolly
jason JAGGE9S.
Meantime Mr.. Jaggers had summoned
his confidential clerk, old Joe HardfaX.
with a request for his charity list of the
previous year.
''rhis is astounding," he muttered. as
he ran over the items separately and
finally glanced at the footing.
Nearly fifth of your total profits"
retorted old HardfaX in an aggrieved
tone. "Pve tried TO keep these leeches
out of the place, but no one would heed
me, SIR"
"Never mind that. Joe. There's going
to be change now."
ga saving, or merely change, sir?''
"a change nyhow, Joe. don't mind
letting you into the secret. I'm done
with organized charities. From this on |
propose disbursing everything l can at
ford to give with my own hands. am
going to personally know the recipients
are worthy, or, at least. in need, and then
/ shall see TO it myself that they are gen.
uinely benefited. Why, what's the mat
ter. Hardtax?' he asked with some as
perity.
He had noiced looks of protest, of
wonder and hually of alarm and dis
couragemont displace each other i'll old
Joe's face, a. id it nettled him for a mo-
ment.
"Oh, nothing; nothing. | was just
wondering where we would move to, and
who would take your place at the desk
here, sir. That's ALL"
:"Where we would move to, and who
would take my place!"
when all the flim-flams and growler-
I al
bugs OF the city pass the word, sir"
pass the wordn'
"Yes, that Jason Jaggers was their
oyster to be opened, merely for their call
ing here"
A cloud stole over Mr.. Jaggers' kindly
face. His plans for direct charity were
not running smoothly at the start, and be
also resented the haInpering and clrcum-
spection to which all men of wealth are
subjected by their employees. But by
and by his eyes lighted up pleasantly.
Perhaps you are right, HardfaX. But
here's charity that can begin at home.
How many employees have we?"
"Nearly two hundred, Sir"
"Do you know the condition, the little.
everyday, personal home surroundings
! of all of them, Joe?'
| Every one. sir. Blinkerton, the de-
! tectiye, keeps me posted"
| POSTED about those who are living q
! little fast and going little wild, Joe; but
| hardly about those who are grieyously
burdened, wretcned and silent. What
about them, Hardfax?' ?'
"WelI, L know them all, sir.'i
Good Well revise our wages scale,
then, a little, Joe."
And they did. They worked at it to-
gether until this one could live a little
| less scrimped; that one, who was carry
ing other peoples loads with as grim a
heroism as ever tanned through the rift
OF battle, should ind sudden relief and
succor; another could do little more for
some one loved but unfortunate; and still
scores of others could exist i'll the grind
ing city life more like men than like hope
! less humans III the attire of gentlemen
and the environment and condition OF
! beasts: worked until more than one-half
! OF the last years charity list had been
reached and they had closed the blessed
task OF d direct charity which ever results
in loyal service, happy homes and good
! citizenship, with gIeam OF satisfaction
in the face of even grim old Joe HardtaX
and rousing exclamation of: There's j
| the best hours work OF my life. Joe "
! from the now happy Jason Jaggers, as his
daughter bounded into the iILtle private
office, her handsome face aglow with the
aifectionate curiosity and interest her ia
! theirs note had evoked.
| Then these two sat there radiantIy to-
eether; sat there away past their dinner
| hour at home, sat there until the lights
| tiared out upon the great city. as myri-
| ads of human bats aud vuitures crept
| from their hiding places TO the streets OF
| the town, while its great arteries, alive
! bv day with the tremendous activities of
! the worlds exchanges, were sliined and
| clopged with the hideous night spirits OF
the desperate and the lost; still radiant
! as two children in happy play, as they
matured their ioyous plans for a vacation
| time of experiments III direct charity to-
rether: until the stamping and muttering
OF Uncle Jimmy Stubbs, the night watch
i man. warned them OF the iateness OF the
hour and brought The expression of a
| brilliant idea to the lips OF Miss Edith.
..Oh. Papa Jaggers 20 she exclaimed,
clapping her hands joyously together,
',have Uncle Jimmy come here. He'll
/ he sure to know someone we can begin
on right away
Capital idea: capital. Here, Uncle
Jiinnly! Just moment. please"
Uncle Jimmy stumped up TO the half
/ door. lantern III his belt and night stick
| in his hand. leaned his elbows upon the
wicket top, touched his hat and respect
! fully waited for orders.
A quarter century's night work had
left curious marks upon Uncle Jimmy
4 Stubbs His hair was not gray. but
| rather faded 10 yellowish sort Of mold.
His face was paler mold of the same
color His eyes, from long squirting,
peering and straining. had contracted to
the smallness OF a eats; and his features
undoubtedly belied his nature, for they