The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-11
COULDN'T GIVE 1T AWAY.
New York Man offered Cash to PeO-
pie on Broadway.

pie on broadway.
From the New York Herald.
John Meehan. billionnaire."
That was his dream. 1t hasn't yet
come true. but yesterday he tried to
realize it in part.
While faithfully performing the du-
ties attached to the humble task of at
tending to furnaces the picture Of a
life surrounded by limitless wealth mas
ever filled John Meehan's thoughts. If
only he had so much money he couldn't
count it what fun it would be to give
it away even to throw it away, he
thought.
please save all the bright, new
pennies you get" he asked those by
whom he was employed. L want to
have the fun of tossing them to the
street urchins on Christmas morning.
But John Meehan could not wait for
Christmas, and yesterday forenoon he
appeared in Broadway, in front of the
Broadway Theater. with all the money
he had been able to save.
Slipping a $40 gold certificate from
roll of bills, the would be billionnaire
thrust 1t in the faces of those who
passed.
please take the money, won't you?'
pleaded Meehan, as men smiled broad
ly and passed on. Adding a second
crisp bill from his roll, Meehan pressed
ii fairly in the hands of a man whose
silk hat was not of this seasons block,
only to be rewarded with a stony
stare.
IT'S good money" argued Meehan.
II wish you'd take it. l don't want it.
Life is a great big joke, anyway nd
want to have every one have his share
of the fun. My way of having good
time is to give away money"
Despite the fact that Meehan was
Offering to give away money current
without question in any of these United
States he was unable to dispose of any
of his wealth. Broadway, usually too
eager for easy money" spurned him.
A novel plan came to Meehan. Sure
ly, if they would not take his money,
they would buy it. Whereupon he NOV
ed down the street, followed by a
curious crowd, to Thirty-ninth street,
where he loudly hawked his wares,
Offering $40 bills for half dollar and
$40 notes for a quarter each.
Wriggling his way through the
crowd which surrounded Meehan,
newsboy took a look at the man and
rushed down the street shouting: L
know him; that's ebay P. Morgan"
Before Meehan had found a single
purchaser, and when jeers at his APP
peals were becoming louder and the
increasing crowd about him more
sceptical, Policemen Shelley and Brady,
of the West Thirtieth street station,
forced their way to Meehan's side
whats the matter with you?" ask
ed one of the policemen.
Nothing at ALL" replied Meehan with
dignity. I'm trying to give these peo-
pie money, or to sell it to them for
next to nothing, and they won't take
it, that's all. Surely a man has "a right
to do as he pleases with his own money
even to give it away if he wants to-
Doesn't Mr.. Carnegie give away his
money? Didn't he say it was a crime
to die rich?''
eff you want to give away your
money you'll have to go down to Wall
street." Policeman Brady told Meehan.
you can't do it in Broadway. 1t
would set a bad example"
Meehan grumbled at his i'll success
at carrying out his plan as the police
men put him aboard a car going up
town. He gave them his name and ad-
dress, and the last seen of him by the
crowd he was trying to interest the
passengers on the car in his plan to get
them rich quick
Meehan has for the last two years
been employed to attend to furnaces on
the upper West Side. He had not ap-
peared at his usual place of employ
ment last night