The record-union., 1898-01-01
DENNIS REMEMBERED.
The Story of "Contributory Agent
of Prosperity"

1t is necessary to explain in the start
that the hero of this commonplace tale
is now known as 1.-The contributory
agent of prosperity" and the story ex-
plains how he came to earn the title.
In a downtown office two men are en-
ployed whose office hours are such that
they dare not make a dinner appoint
ment. They go to dinner at night
when they get through, and dinner hour
ranges from to 10 o'clock. Being so
erratic in their living. naturally they
have to limit their friendships to those
they can meet on the wing, and having
a home with regular dining hours is
out of the question. Now these two
men are accustomed to dine in a down.
town restaurant each night. They sell
dom digress from this rule and, while
the hour of dining fiuctuates the place
is generally the same
One of these two men wandered into
strange paths one night and discovered
an eating house up town that took his
fancy. He grew so enthusiastic over
this place that his friend, after some
hesitation and repeated objections,
finally consented to go up there some
time. One night they finished work
little earlier than usual and this
bold discoverer proposed that they go
to the uptown chophouse The other
demurred, but finally he set out with
many firmly expressed misgivings.
The eating-house in question was
reached in due time, and the explorer
went in ahead. He started for a table.
but was arrested in his course by the
most violent display of joy manifested
by waiter upon seeing his friend The
waiter was smiling all over his face
and dancing around like an overjoyed
schoolboy. He carefully selected
table and hovered over it in anxious
so1citude to get the order and insure
the best that the place could afford.
When he went off with a beaming
countenance to get the chops the sec
ond man explained that about ten years
ago he had lived in house where this
man was waiter. He had he said
i1ved there a number of years, and this
waiter had always ordered breakfast
Tor him. So far had it gone, in fact,
that the waiter brought him whatever
he happened to think was best, and
would permit no argument as to the
wisdom Of his choice In fact the
waiter had in a sort adopted him. and
always had a patronizing air with him
when he was around
Thas explanation was given while the
chops We're being cooked. After. q
time the waiter came back. still BEAM
ing, and, leaning over, whispered in the
ear of his oldtime friend A look of
wonder came over the face of the man
addressed, but the waiter chuckled and
walked off,
Blessed if I know what he saidr'
Ihuseo the man, and he looked anxious
~ a1ter the walters ,Setreating form
IN a lew moments the waiter came back
ana with every sign of satisfaction
placed sealed envelope On the table.
II pore no address and no mark.
guess Dennis is writing ME let
ters, said the man as he picked it up.
ana without opening it placed it in his
pocket. The meal finished. the two
went outside and into a nearby cafe.
Ihen the letter was recollected and the
man d1ved down into his pocket and
opened 1t. 1t contained eight new one
dollar bills, without explanation or
apology The man who had received
them was plainly mystified. and his
1eehng was reflected in his face S,1d
denly ray OF light seemed to break
IN on hlm and dispelled the shadow of
doubt that had hung like a pail over
him, and then he said:
Dennls must be paying his debts. I
olfniy remember about ten years ago
iendlng him some money. 1 had en-
tireiy forgotten it, and even now don't
remember how much it was. 1t seems
TO me that it was 50. but If Dennis
thinks 1T is eight. eight it is
prosperity has arrived" said the
other
yes, was the answer. sI'll 90 to
ohner any place you suggest. You're
a contnbutory agent of prosperity.
What VIII You have?" New York
Tribune.