Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-04-16

"NOu can't command il out on the
Atlantic ocean" drawlcd Mr.. Kent.
"Lct's see Just how much we six
putocrats have in actual money. I
have S7.3S and here it is"
He placed it on the table.
GLOW much have you got. Haven?"
Mr.. Hiram Haven had been making
an inventory and produced $31.62.
"You are aiiiucnt.' observed Mr..
Kent. and you. Mr.. Carmody?"
81 find ON examination that | have
s12 and some small change: $l2.25.
to be exact" sai%tlr carmody. Mr..
Palmer +. MortonN finding that Mr.
Kent was determined to pursue this
cash Investigation. announced that
he had $I2S.sj. Mr.. Rockwell was
less fortunate in his immediate pos
sessions. He scheduled S7S.li.
"Wcll. dig up. brother Pence" said
Mr.. Kent. "What is your contribu-
ton to the war chest?"
81 have If cents and n BROOKE n
bridge Ticket" said Mr.. Pence. You
see never carry anything but car
fare. II is so easy to lose money
out of your packets, and then you
may be held up and robbed. lost
II silver COLLAR through Il hole in my
pocket once, and have never carried
any large sums of money since
$50 have heard" said Mr.. Kent.
"Wcll. pass over your / cents. Vow
know the story of the widows mite.
Everything counts. Let's see: We
have a total of %j5S.20. That is Il
good average for six millionairoS. |
seldom carry more than $io0. Now,
what can we do with it,
lie looked AT MIR. Morton.
~ do not suppose we can do any
thing with that amount of money"
responded the l'n,ncicr. "That was
not my idea. Still it is good plan
to know just how much we have on
hand. | look n the matter in this
light: If this man l!cstor is not abso-
lutcly crazy he has some definite OBJ
iect in view. 1t may take the form
of a demand for n ransom. The ques'
tion for us 10 decide is. first. shall
we pay a ransom and second. if so,
/ how much? Personally regard this
| in a purely business way. My time
| is worth money. We have been
trapped and our time captured with
our persons. should be willing to
! make u REASONABLE" compromise.
/ Since | am the one most TO blame
for this affair. ! shall insist ON stand
ing half of amy furd which may be
agreed upon"
- have often thought If what I
would do if kidnapped and held for
ransom" said Mr.. Carmody in re-
hcctioc way. - have always thought
that I would die rather than pay Il
dollar. but now that the fact con
fronts me believe that the thoughts
of those ut home outweigh MY
scruples. think should be ready
to contribute to any such fund"
"Who are You going to give it to?'
asked Mr. Kent
"Why. to Mr.. IIestor." answered
Mr.. Morton.
at will do No good" replied Mr.
Kent. with the decision of man
who has unaltorably made up his
mind. "lie is as crazy as Woman's
watch. lie will laugh al you. MARI
my words: il win Go no good to tall
to him. Your only hope is in that
Capt. Waters. You might try that
SjjS2O on him, but l don't believe
he would touch it or hundred times
that amount. | tell you we are ir
for an ocean voyage with land-uE
on some island"
Mr. Pence groaucd and ahstractet
his eleven cents from the pile which
Vet remained on the table.
Il am not 50 sure about lIestor.
said Mr. Morton. "I!c loves money a'
well as the best OF them. Hcstol