The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-05-06
A Good Advocate.
6eeeeseeseocG@eeeeeeese


about to do his work. Net that he cared
to work or knew how to do any, Qsefr
kind or ork, but he had vague q.
prehension that unless he worked he
would starve to death.
For tae first time in his Lille he was in
actual need of money. Except as to
money he was well equipped. Agains'
the wall in his room at the hotel were
two trunks filled with clothing. The
man himself was in robust health.
He had graduated at an eastern uni
versity 6awGled in Boston society, tray-
e.ed in Europe ard led the lazy life Of {
clubman. When bis father died the es
tate dwindlcd away under a settle
ment, ard McElway came into few
thousands. which he spent generously
but in no haste
When the thousands had been re-
Guced to hundreds. McEiway Robson
began TO dread the prospect Of showing
his poverty to his Boston friends. so he
folded his numerous trousers into
trunks, and with two hatboxes and
hurdle of sticks and umbrellas he hur-
rieG away to Chicago. He had been told
that Chicago was the place fer young
man without capital.
After a week III town and d promen-
ade along Michigan avenue every sun
ny afternoon he counted his money and
found that his capital had not increased,
in spite of the fact that Chicago had
been recommended to him. That is
why one morning he had to Look at the
column male Help Wanted"
lie shivered as he glanced at the list
bakers, cutters, feeders, horseshoers.
tailors and so on. lie turned 20 the sub
department. Miscellaneous" CLEARLY.
he was ore Of the miscellaneous" He
noted that agents" were wanted. He
shivered again. Then his eye fell on the
following:
WANTrD-sOCIErY YOUNG MAN TO
undertake light erDloyment; liberal pay;
must have complet- wardrobe, speak the
modern languages ard be a good conversa-
tionaist. No one we'll known in Chicago
need apply Address y x XII
That's my description" said NOEL
way Robson, reading it again; "but
what in the world does it mean?'
He wrote note to X \ 81, using his
own stationery, with the gilt crest. and
carried it to the newspaper office. Then
he went to his room and had reflective
smoke, and that afternoon took his
usual turn in Michigan avenue. When
he came back to his hotel he found a
communication summoning him to
room rs Cloud building, Dearborn
street. AS he opened the door into us
he saw short and ruddy man at a
rather bare desk making signs of dis
missal to slender youth in crumpled
sack suit.
''Have the honor of addressing Mr..
Robson" asked the little man.
Eyes. sir; my Eame is Robson
Won't you be seated? Yes, it was
very good of you to call. L" and the
little man stopped and beamed in adj
miration.
"Will you be kind enough to tell me
what kin. of employment you have to
offer?' asked McElway, careless,y pat
ting his knee with glove and looking
at the little man with a cold polite
ness.
beautiful" exclaimed the other,
still regarding him with pleased smile.
pray explain yourself-and permit
me to tel you that I do not know card
tricks and my comic songs are very
bad"
I'm not looking for anything of that
kind. Let me ask you few questions
first. This is confidential, of course"
Mr.. Robson saw no harm in telling
about himself. The little man at the
desk beamed with increasing satisfac-
ton.
"Mr. Robson, you're just the man I
want"
"Quite so-and what am I to do?"
You are to attend All occasional din
ner party and say pleasant things about
Your host or hostess, as the case may be.
That's not hard to do, is ito
NO, but why should do it,"
I'm the first place, because will pay
you literally. In the second place, be-
cause your host or hostess needs-well,
good advocate. Let me explain. Sup
pose a family with money comes here
to Chicago, takes house or fine suite
of rooms and wants to get into some
kind Of society-not the rest, perhaps,
but good. What that family needs is
little outside influence. 1t is vulgar
for any family to sound its own praises
Somebody else must do that. Suppose
I have client living at swell hotel"
"a client?"
That's what I call him. Suppose he
IS {0
with the best people in that hotel.
They can't give dinner and invite all
these people. Somebody else must do
that"
Then you want me-
mo, that isn't your part. I know
plenty Of brl ght and trustworthy wom-
en- who are willing to give dinners if
somebody else will foot the bills-un-
derstand? What l want you to do is
to be there to help along the couple
that wants to break into that set, if I
must put it plainly.
Il understand perfectly well. and I
must say that don't fancy the job"
Perhaps not. but you need the $50
which / will ray you for every engage
ment. You will meet charming men
and dine beautifully, and no one will
know yorr real position except the one
who employs you, and he will be forever
bound in secrecy. Now, a man who
travels in pretentious society has to
lie more or less. ANYWAY"
More" said McElway.
Then what's the difference between
lying free of charge and lying for
money!"