The record-union., 1896-02-22
MIOER MORGAN.

"It's an inexcusable thing, I know"
said Lord St. Roman, s'to dine with
man and then take advantage of his
hospitality to poster him for check,
but then again, you see, if one don't
ask. one don't get, and unless a few
more subscribers come forward to help
us out with the funds of the institution
that I was telling you about, I believe
we shall wind up the whole concern.
So I'm venturing to appeal to one or
two rich men, like yourself, Denison
-
Mercy upon usl" interrupted the
entertainer of this eminent and philan-
thropic nobleman; ''is it possible that
your heart and your conscience allow
you to sit smiling there and call me a
rich man? My dear fellow, I have the
deepest sympathy with abandoned
orphans and destitute cats and all the
other subjects of your generous benevo-
Ience, but you might bear in mind that
myself am a landowner and a member
of Parliament. Surely that is tanta-
mount to saying that my account is al
ways and inevitably overdrawn. Now,
just behind you, if you will screw your
head round for moment, you will see
a man who is really rich Why not
give him chance to save his soul, in
stead of applying to the victim of pitt
less tenants and constituents?
The dining-room of the club in which
the above colloquy took place was in
variably graced at that hour of the
day by the presence Of the elderly gen
fleman at whom Lord ST. Roman has
tened to throw an eager, inquiring
glance, but his lordship's countenance
fell as soon as he recognized the soli-
tary diner.
.Oh, I'm afraid that's no use,' said
he, despondeEtly; isn't that the fellow
whom you call Miser Morgan? I re-
member being introduced to him on one
occasion and asking him for a small do
nation to the Open Spaces Society. He
was very rude indeed; he said he would
see me and the society dismissed into
infinite space first"
And you allowed yourself to be dis
couraged by such a mild little rebuff as
that? Dear mel My experience of you
would have led me to give you credit
for being a more sturdy beggar. Now,
III tell you what. st. Roman, if you can
manage to extract f10 from Morgan
tonight, I'll give you a flyer to add to
1t. There's a fair offer for YOU
ITS an uncomnonly safe offer, or you
swouldn't make it, growled the philan-
threpist. HWell. one can but try; il
will be a grand triumph for me if I sue
ceed''
And you have such a persuasive way
with you"
Lord st. Roman caressed his bushy
beard. He flattered himself that he
had rather a persuasive manner, and
the bagging of subscriptions meant to
him what the bagging of driven grouse
or rocketing pheasants meant to his
companion
sT'lf tackle your Morgan in the smok-
s,,c-roon presently" he said. Il sup
re.sa we shall find him there after din
arlothing can be more certain-old
Hrrrpan's habits are as regular as the
clock. Dinner every evening at 8; one
esaar which with careful management
oar he made to last him till half-past
"a. then home to his rooms, where
aynart he counts his gold till bedtime
x5,t+ there'il be no sleep for him to-
-ssr~s,t moor chapi because of course
besu be f10 short"
Neither by ten pounds, ten shillings
,or even ten pence, however, was the
*alo of Mr.. Morgan's wealth likely &c
- 5,,cornnlete. and Mr.. Denison. feeling
-,s,.v confident Of that, finished his din
ner in peace.
aresonwTlaile the subject of his rather
a4nflattering remarks had astoundeo
80 eater BY doing an absolutely un-
,,recedented thing. He had ordered 9
s1ass OF the club port (price sixpence