Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-14
THE TIME SYNDICATE, LIMITED.
An Allegory for the Over-Strenuous.

from the mouse. But Rose was as
self-willed as her father, and was re-
solved not to marry Morgan. Young
Harry Preston was more to her mind.
Andrew Hunter therefore felt not o
little vexed. He was beginning to in
Weigh against his lately trusted mana
ger when Mr.. Ashmore interrupted
him.
Zone moment You will find your
staff installed in rooms on the fifth
floor, and Mr.. Morgan also, as far as 1
am aware; for that gentlement has an
appointment with me this morning at
IL with regard to the sale of the rest
of your life. He said you had re-
quested him to dispose of it."
''To dispose of the rest of my life!
What ever do you mean?" asked An
drew, amazed.
''Is it possible you have not yet
heard of the new way of transferring
time from one person to another?"
queried Ashmore.
Andrew Hunter looked at him in
amazement.
''No, 1 have not" he answered
THAT is strange. Most people here
are now wei acquainted with the
principle on which we work. 1t is
now possible to sell or purchase time
like any other commodity, as a method
has been discovered of transferring
time from one person to another.
Those who wish to get rid of their
time sell: and those who wish for more
tN,,x
dealers. We buy and sell time. The
transaction with regard to the remain
der of your life belongs to the specu-
lative side of our business. People
who are tired OF living, instead of
killing themselves, now simply sell
out the rest of their lives for q consid-
Grafton"
"But how does the purchased time
become incorporated with the rest If
the mans day?" asked Andrew, still
somewhat mystified.
Like this. Suppose you buy one
hour. You can use that time when
ever you will to do so. Now, suppose
you have an appointment at l o'clock,
and that you are detained till II. so,
and prevented from keeping it. You
simply will time to fly back in your
case fer an hour-10. so. You keep
your appointment, and time runs on
as usual; but you have had an extra
hoar let into your day"
''But what about the person who
has sold the hour?"
''He becomes non-existent for an
hou". A person in the non-existent
state is simply unconscious.
SIT is wonderful invention" re-
marked Andrew; "butit seems scarce
ly possible.
''It is possible, however, returned
the manager. "You can test it if vou
like"
"That I intend to do if the expense
is not too great. am always in want
of time
"Ah, it will be just the thing for
you! The charges for time are not at
all high, or people would not buy it.
1t is usually about two cents an h ur,
so that even the remainder of life
time like yours does not sell for great
deal. Under the circumstances l am
as much surprised rs you to account
for Mr.. Morgan's action. He would
hardly, I suppose, run the risk of i'm
prisonment for $750Nor so."
II cannot conceive why he should
bear malice toward me-" said Andrew.
"He evidently desires to render me
non existent for the rest of my life.
But surely" he continued, "this time
transference is a dangerous business
if it places man at the mercy of an
enemy in such way"
''You mistake" replied Ashmore,
quickly; ''lt does nothing of the
kind; person cannot be rendered
non-existent without his consent. So
you were quite safe. Morgan merely
represented to me that you intended
to dispose of the remainder of your
life. He has, as I said, an appoint
ment with me here this morning"
''Ah, he did not expect me to return
till day or two later. But I must
confront him."
Mr.. Ashmore signified his assent, and
led Andrew to seat near the door,
where, screened from observation he
could yet see all who entered.
Andrew sat down, and the man of
months and minutes returned to his
room.
Presently the Office door opened, and
man entered. Andrew Hunter
looked up in expectation of seeing
Morgan, but be only saw miserable
beggar. Then he expected to hear an
appeal for aims, followed by curt re-
fusal on the part of the Time Syndi-
cate, but he was mistaken again.
"I hear you buy up lives here, I"
said the beggar. ''What will you give
me for miue?"
Nobody evinced any surprise at this
question; but one of the clerks, adj
vancing toward the man, inquired his
age and what portion of his existence
he wished to be rid of.
''Allp' answered the beggar, fierce
ly; 'all except one day one day to
spend the money in. F"
"Well, you had better see the doc