Bisbee daily review., 1903-04-07
QUEER MIR. FLINDERS
COrlginai.l

highly myself"
 What Fl you take for it?'
 ''Take for it? Why. what could it benefit any cue but me?" That isn't the question. You say you don't value 1t. I would like to
 buy it.
 i When would you want it?" 'Buyer thirty-which, being inter. preted. means any time within thirty I days"
 I What n you give?" "A hundred dollars" | By love, that's a good sum" And 1 Flinders began to think what he could l do with hundred dollars. | "Oh, l sec your gaTne!" he said pres ently. You'll call for it by sections. That would leave me in a beautiful , fix. wouldn't it?" ''I'll call for 1t all at once" After rummaging his brain to find 6 catch somewhere Flinders gave me a bill of sale for his beard-to be called
 for anywhere within thirty days or forfeit double the price. Now there was a reason for all this
 which Flinders did not understand. He
 was the weaItbiest bachelor in the
 town as well as the stingiest. One day | number of ladies came to me and asked me if could suggest a plan by which they could get donation out of him for benevolent enterprise. l told l them would think it over. Flinders was a pushing fellow not l only in business, but socially. He was self made man. which was to his credit. but he didn't know what the l word modesty meant. His assurance in making his way into society" was | only equaled by his embarrassment whenever he blundered into breach of etiquette. He was in constant ter
 TOT lest he should appear in some un- fortunate position. The ladies were getting up ball for the benefit of their charity and had ap- ! pointed me one of the floor managers | l wrote requesting that my name be dropped and Flinders put on in it's stead. This was done, and Flinders
 was 50 delighted that he at once sent the ladies a check for $10.
 You are very bright" said the pres ident of the society to me. Tt is a wonder that we didn't think of that ourselves"
 Possibly Mfr. Flinders donation may be far more worthy of his social ele-
 yation," l replied, than a niggardly $f0. Let us wait" On the night of the ball Binders was on hand resplendent in evening dress, wearing the lowest cut white waist. 1 coat. straw colored gloves and a pale i green necktie that some wag had told
 him was the very latest thing for balls. i No Indian chief decorated with stove | pipe hat and soldier coat had ever borne himself more proudly. I watch. | ed him till his self satisfaction had
 reached its height; then. putting on | my hat and coat, went out. Ten min utes later an attendant handed him a 1 note from me written from a neigh 1 boring barber shop demanding his I beard.
 There was look of extreme anxiety l on his face as he came in; but, at
 tempting to master 1t, he came up to
 me with a laugh and,. skipping me ia. | niiiarly on the back. said confidently
 It's very cute of you, old fellow, aw- ! fully cute. Of course you don't want ! your property now. You want bottle
 of champagne. and you shall have it.
 besides a good supper after the ball.
 And now I must hurry back. The ] president has done me the honor to say she can't get on without me-" l .I +nl- sn I,a | chair
 You really don't mean that you are |; in earnest? Think how l would lcok going back clean shaved" i You don't need to lose your beard ! There is the forfeit. you know"
 Good gracious, man, the forfeit is
 s2Oor'
 Tt only rests with you. Binders"
 said resOlutely, ito give me your beard
 or pay the forfeit"
 l He looked into my eye and saw that
 I was not to be cajoied or browbeaten | or in any way deprived of my advan- | tage. The alternative flashed through his mind. and his love of money for a time prevailed He determined to re- | main away from the bail for the rest of the evening.
 AM right" said. What excuse will you eiveg
 Suddenly taken ill.,
 | smiled.
 | T suppose you'll knock down that
 story and''-
 The whole thing will be all over the
 ballroom in ten minutes" | He turned pale.
 What Ii you take to settle" he
 asked
 Will Flinders, don't want your
 beard or your money. Write check
 payable to the president of the society
 for S20O, and I'll call 1t square You can
 then finish the evening in a position
 for which you are so well fitted with
 out so sudden transition, and your
 iiberality will be sounded by every one
 As for me. I'll keep the affair num-"
 q haven't a check with me"
 q have" And l pulled blank
 check from my pocketbook. Binders and I returned to the ball room arm in arm and made straight for the president.
 MT. Blinders' modesty." I said tC her, '.is as great as his generosity. He