The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-03-02
AN ODD SPECTATOR.
How O Man Who Failed at Many
Things Was a Great Success
In O Single Role.
BY GREENE L. ELWOOD.


From a worldly point of view my life
had been a monotonous succession Of
knockdowns until made the acquaint-
ance of Leonard Hartman.
was giving an elaborate account of
and imploring him to help me to Stu
alton suitable to my attainments. Gil
bert listened sympathctically. When my
story was finished, he thought awhile in
his quiet way and then said, with pc
culiar smile:
"Kent, old boy. you have had n tough
time of it, but don't despair. l am going
to give you q letter to Leonard Hartman.
q capitalist, whom l know quite we'll.
He is q good man. Go to him and relate
your story just as you have to me, and
think he will be able to do something for
you. He asked me to find him a man if
l could, and think you will please him."
"Do you mean that | am to tell him all
about my-my failurcsT l asked in as
constituent.
Certainly; tell him everything. He
likes candor, and If you don't make him
understand that you have made Il bad
mess of business heretofore ] doubt if
he will want YOU"
A queer situation, to be sure Gilbert
gave me the letter, and lost no time in
hunting up Leonard Hardman.
| found him man of GO or thereabout.
short, stout, red faced and side whisker.
ed, evidently n substantial citizen, who
never permitted himself to go hungry or
thirsty. He had even the appearance Of
benevolent person. His suit of offices
was quite pleasant and extensively fur,
nished, but he kept no clerical force save
an Office boy.
Mr.. Hardman read my friend Gilbert's
letter with surprising interest and then
turned to me inquiringly.
"Gilbert advised me to tell you al
about myself" began in an embarrassed
way.
"Go right ahead" he said heartily.
"In the first place, then, am a college
man, though was graduated at the
wrong end Of my class. OF course some
one had to graduate there. When ! left
college, / taught school awhile. but my
abilities, which were quite conspicuous.
were not really appreciated, and | took
up life insurance. In this work | found
it so difficult to please the company.
especially so difficult to make ends meet.
that turned my alteullOu 10 AFe HlSHI-
ancc, with practically the same result
Giving up insurance, became a can
vasser for a very excellent book, but
business was not good. knowing that
there was no better judge of land values
anywhere than myself, | went into real
estate, with my usual enthusiasm and
pluck, and yet my success in that line
could have been much greater. then
got mixed up in politics. Tried to get
the nomination for congress, but circum-
stances forced the nomination for the leg
islature upon me, and at the election |
was showed under. Disguised with the
uncertainty of political life, | became n
museum lecturer. ceasing that work when
the proprietor became bankrupt. Since
that time have been engaged as an ad-
yertising solicitor, which, believe me, is
work far below my capacity and very
precarious way of making living in the
bargain. ] am now looking for some
thing Of q steady, remunerative kind. !
have never been appreciated. sir. noT
| given a fair opportunity to show my ad-
| mirable business and literary qualiica-
tons. All ask is such an opportunity.
| Gilbert suggested that you might be able
| to employ me in your business"
There l stopped. The effect Of my his
l tory upon M. Hartman was almost star
| Ting. From the very first he evinccd an
| intense interest in me, and when | ceased
| speaking he grasped me by the hand
| with convulsive warmth.
81 am sure ! can help you," said he
shat is, IL you will help me. You see. il
Is q case of reciprocity. | have been sue
cessful in q business way-quite success
full, but q man always wants to do better
than he has done and see his gains in
crease faster. For long time | have
felt the need of an assistant, man OF
certain qualifications, such qualifications
indeed, as ] feel that you possess II
you will engage with me, | am confident
that we can accomplish great things.
What Is your line of business"
yentured to ask.
"Oh, I'm what you call a Spectator
buy a thing, no matter what, so long a.
fit is something that will likely increas'
In value--incrcase surely and quickly
Now, could give you as starter'-h'
reflected q moment-"say, 500 mont
| for your services. this arrangement It
continue SO long as it is mutually agree
able. How do you like thatT
Like it!' | repeated, amazed, for
had never made so much rs Sl0o
month in my life. although of course
felt capable of earning any kind of sal
airy. no matter how large. Like 1t
Why, | consider 1t a very generous prop
osition. III do my level best to descry
your confidence. | will strive, sir,
| never before to-
mo, no." he cried cxcitcdly; don
strive. Leave all that to me. don
want you to work too hard. just l.
your own natural self. That's what
| want you to he. Don't strive, ! beg q
you, and don't worry about anything
Well have n good time together. you an
|, and-you can begin in the morning
you are ready"
! was too dumfoundcd to say NOR
.ue next mornIns 1 reported prompt
for duty, half fearing that Leonar
Hardman would prove to have been
creature of my dreams instead of
| bcneficent reality. He was little late
When he came, he shock my hand col
daily and said he was delighted 10 So
me.
"What shall do first?' asked.
"Do? Oh, that's so. Let me see
well, the first thing VIC will % is to rca
the morning papers carrfuiIy, all abor
real estate safes. the stock ma: krt. til
market reports and the pa!;ical new
Great things, these newspapers, don
| you th:nk?"
, gave him quite at length my opinio
!: of newspapers and how they ougEt to |
run, and he was deeply Interested an
agreed with me in everything. He va
a man Of fine discernment in many r.