The Press., 1900-11-15

warning Dell struck mis- ear, ana Wnen
he had finished his meal he rose up be-
fore the other boarders with the digni
ty of millionaire and observed:
Madam the landlady. If not too
much trouble l wish you would come
to my room this evening for your
check. like to balance my books once
a month"
The shot told. The landlady's frown
changed to smile as soft as jelly. and
the three or four boarders who had
been limiting that the major was
deadbeat and would blk the house
felt large feeling of awe steal over
them. Half an hour later the woman
knocked at the majors door and found
him seated with his checkbook in front
of him.
my dear woman" he began, as he
motioned for her to sit down, "your
trust and confidence in me are some,
thing sublime-really sublime. l am
not man given to emotion, but in this
caSe-in this CASE
"You owe me three months room
rent and board" she said as he paused
to find other words.
"That is the case exactly, as l found
to my surprise in footing my ledger
this afternoon. Yes. For three long
months have occupied this room and
sat at your table, and you have not
even limited at filthy lucre in payment.
l don't exactly remember what Cleo
patra did to win undying fame, but if
she reposed the sublime confidence in
man that you have reposed in me
don't wonder that her name is engrav
en- on the scrolls of time forever more"
81 have been trying to catch you for
the last month, but you have lodged
me-" replied the landlady with exceed
ing candor.
"In other words, madam, have been
too wrapped up in gigantic specula-
tions to remember that l owed you a
few dollars. However, the fact re-
mains that you did not worry over my
Indebtedness"
But l have worried. l have been
afraid you'd get your trunk out and
skip"
1.-THE fact remains, madam" repeat
ed the major as he nibbled at the pen
fact remains that you have not wor-
ried. You knew and felt that the debt
was safe. You might have worried
about others, but about Major Crofoot
never. All, it makes me feel better
toward the whole world to have a per-
son trust me thus! Such trust! Such
confidence! Such childish faith in the
midst of universal wickedness!'
"And now you will pay me for 13
weeks at So per week?" she queried as
she laid the bill before him.
"My dear woman" he replied as he
rose up to walk about, "why specify
the fight of time? Why speak of dol
lars? Thirteen weeks at So per week
makes a total of $1O4, of course, but
should we thus brutalize sentiment?
Let me say that you have trusted me.
Let me say that you have put me down
as a man of honor. Then let me repay
you for your confidence rather than for
your room and board. We will say
that 1 hand you check for $780,"
"You don't mean it, major" she ex-
claimed, with a catch of her breath.
81 sit down thus. fill in a check for
5000, SO. / tear it off and hand it to
you, and with it goes a deeper feeling
than can explain. If there are tears
in my eyes, you will please excuse
them"
II knew you would pay. 1 told them
you were no deadbeat," said the over
come landlady as she held the check in
trembling fingers.
"And your confidence was not mis-
placed. Let me call your attention to
the order of J. Jordan. He is the treas
urer Of the corporation, you know"
"But what corporation
'"The Universal Musical company,
my friend. The organization was per-
fected last week, all the necessary cap
ital paid in, and we shall begin work
next Monday. Having an instructive
feeling that you trusted me and wish
ing to prove my gratitude in something
beyond words, have reserved 10000
worth Of stock for you at ground floor
figures. A dividend of so per cent on
this stock, which is a low estimate,
brings you in $1,000 per year. All you
need do is to sit with folded hands,"
But l don't want stock in any Of
your companies" she protested. 1--WE
got to have money to run my house."
'The object of the company" he ex-
planned, sis to provide music for the
world at the cheapest possible price,
and in supplying music we supply SEN
timent, raise the social standard and
make the whole world happier and bet
ter. We also make saving in provi-
sions and fuel. A man with a fiddle
will sit for hours and never know
whether room is hot or cold. A wom-
an who is giving Mozart a twist on the
piano wants neither dinner nor supper.
Give boy mouth organ, and he will
not ask for bread and butter as long as
he has wind enough left to blow. It is
the scheme of my life, and millions Of
profit will soon be rolling in"
s'But about this check?" she insisted.
"A great scheme and in many ways
noble enterprise. Let US take a city
block, for instance. We will say there
are 200 families on the block. The
Universal supplies those families with