The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-12-24

MILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS MAIL.
Samuel Wright, bachelor, capitalist
and millionaire, gazed at foi1r heaps
of letters. "What's the matter,
George ?" he asked of the smooth
faced, imperturbable young man at
the opposite side of the big square
desk, have you robbed the postof-
fee p
'Christmas," said George Perry
laconically. They've been coming
for two weeks. I've saved them and
and divided them into four parts.
Here" passing small package, 'are
the specials. The relatives are in the
second pile. The employees are in the
third. And in this big mound are
the widows, the orphans, the old
friends, the former acquaintances, the
people who knew people who knew
you, the among others present, and
the also rams. So
Mr.. Wright smiled. "Well," he
said, "we'll get rid ofthe biggest nui-
sance frst-the employees. I've made
out the list, and you'll find first the
amount of the salary increase and next
the Christmas bonus" He handed
it over very solemnly and as he watch
ed Perry's eyes run down the sheet
he began to smile again, and the
smile increased to merry laugh.
ssGot you that time, George" he
exclaimed. Perry tried to keep his
expression, but his face was flushing.
"Oh, don't try to deny it. You rush
ed to the P's and you didn't find Per-
ry there. 1t all depends, you know,
on how you manage this Christmas
business. If there are any mistakes
you make them, but you mustn't make
any. If anybody is dissatisfied you
are the cause-but everybody must
be pleased. Go ahead now with the
relatives, the subsidiary relatives
first, please"
The young man took the letters and
began, while Mr.. Wright held his
small package without looking at it.
'sYour uncle Jonas has been laid up
with the rheumatism and the crops
have not" Fifty and love-" Per-
ry marked it on the letter. Your un-
Gle James, your old school teacher,
wishes you great happiness" Twen-
ty-fve and thanks" Noted. "Mrs.
Doughty, who once nursed you when
you had the measles, and who is a
connection by the marriage of her
stepson-" "Ten for the measles. "
Noted. The Rev. Mr.. Venting, a
distant cousin, whose church needs
new organ" Fifty for the parson
aud fifty for the music" Noted.
"Your cousin Sarah, who named her
child after you-" Hundred. "
Noted. "Your funny uncle John,
who believes in free silver, but does
not shy at free gold" "Send him
an eagle" Noted. Your"
But Mr.. Wright happened to look
at package he held in his hand.
"Not a penny" he exclaimed.
"Not single, solitary cent
"I beg your pardon, said the Sec
retary, looking up in surprise.
"See that handwriting? asked
Mr.. Wright, holding up the envelope.
"Do you recognize it1"
cit looks like your nephew's."
cit is, and / know precious well
what he wants. But he don't get it
he don't get it." repeated the mill
lionaire, emphasizing the words. "By
Jove he has the nerve of politician
to write to me. I won't even read
his letter. You remember his note
about this time last year?"
eyes, Sir
"Of course you do. Well when he
asked for that thousand dollars / didn't
want to send it to him. You know I
didn't, and if it had not been TO.
| you"
"I merely replieed to your question
and said / thought"
s'Oh, I know. It always happens
that way. Every time I allow my
self to be eoverpersuaded make mis-
take every time. knew it was
throwing the money away, and now
here he is wanting two thousand. /
can read it through the envelope. |
know his like a book. Oh, yes, /
know the rascal.
"Your Aunt Martha doctors bills
have been very heavy and she"
read the secretary from his memoran-
da.
"Do you know what that boy did, r
demanded Mr.. Wright. "After he
got that thousand he went to Oilburg
and cut a swath generally. I asked
about him, and the replies made me
so sick of his folly and extravaganza
that tried to Danish him from my
mind. 1 don't mind paying for few
wild oats, but hate to support a fool,
especially ifhe happens to be connect.
ed with the family"
"What about your Aunt MarthaF
1T do wish that boy had turned out
better" said the millionaire. II had
hopes of him once, but this last trans
action-I've great mind not to read
a word he writes" F"
George Perry smiled inwardly as
he saw Mr.. Wright weakening. The
millionaire toyed with the letter, turn
ed it over, looked at the postscript
Oilsburg- and calculated, Stranded
| / guess" Then he lifted his head
and asked, "Who was that last one =
"Your aunt Martha S doctors bills. =
"Pay'em." Noted. Your"
"Go ahead and fix them up, George
You know about what-it's too exas
perating, this young scamp. Here h'
has had fine opportunities and ha'
thrown them all away. He'll never
amount to anything. 1t simply ism
in him. He ought to have known
wouldn't read his letter. He
George Perry looked over and saw
Mr.. Wright peeking into theenvelope
~ ,v,otcI,od him draw ont the rlaDe