Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-17
CITY DISCOVERER
MEETS A HARPIST

One afternoon last week the City Discov-
erer was returning from one of his long
and favorite rambles through Rock Creek
Park when he observed a long. lean. bald
headed individual seated by the roadside.
his eyes lifted heavenward, his fingers gem
thy straying over the strings Of a gilded
harp.
What an unusual sight," thought tho
City Discoverer, as he paused I'm front OF
the bald-headed man. "And his face is fa-
miliar. too. wonder il l haven't met him
on one of my former rambleA"
Good evening. brother" said the bald
headed man. softly. as he struck a minor
chord and rolled his eyes upward.
Good evening" responded the City Dis
coverer politely. his mild blue eyes full OF
curiosity behind his gold-rimmed glasses.
How we'll you play the harp. / presume
you have sought this spot to practice for
some public concert?"
Not on this earth,' replied the bald
headed man. as sigh and ID minor chord
rolled forth together: mot In this vale OF
toll and tears"
Surely" said the Discoverer as he start
ed with surprise. you are not"
Exactly" responded the long, lean bald
headed person, with nod. Il am. I do
not believe in remaining unprepsred for
any emergency. Consequently, my al
lotted span OF three score years and ten
has nearly run its course, l am preparing
for the celestial existence"
REMARKABLE" calculated the Discoverer
as he stared at the d-headed person.
More than that" continued the bald.
long, lean individual a crafty expression
came into his keen eyes, II am having my
experts look into the matter of harp manu-
facture, and l am now very well informed
on the subject. l do not wish to boast but
there is no reason to believe I shall not
enjoy the delights of Heaven. and IL there
isn't harp trust organized soon after I
get there l am very much mistaken. That's
alK"
Goodness said the Discoverer as he
straed at the long. lean. bald headed person
in mute emaZement.
"Of late" continued the bald-headed per-
son as he rolled his eyes upward again and
struck a succession OF haunting chords, Il
have been grieved to learn from the public
press and the magazines that I am not as
popular as might be desired. In fact. may
go so far as to say that am decidedly
unpopular. am very wealthy man. and,
of course. I have made some enemies. but
general unpoplarity / do not care to pos.
sess. 1t is one of the few things in that
category" The bald-headed person smiled
slightly and his fingers strayed idly over
the strings.
What did you do upon reaching that con-
clusion?' inquired the Discoverer.
Never" said the lean stranger. earnestly,
'ndO permitted u member OK the ueWSs
gathering fraternity to interview me: never
had 1 even permitted one to gain an audi
ence with me. l suddenly relented and sent
for one Of whom / had heard. He was
overwhelmed. / spoke kindly to him. He
was overwhelmed some more. gave him
an interview. He was overcome"
What kind of an interview did you
give?" inquired the Discoverer.
"A very modest one," replied the bald.
headed person, as he twanged a merry Tilt.
II said but little, but the leaven worked.
The next morning I had a halo around my
head. and find that my unpopularity is
fast disappearing. What 10 more. II didn't
cost cent. I seriously object to parting
with money. save in the cause OF philan-
thropy and education"
us that all you did3" inquired the Dis
coverer.
well" said the bald-headed stranger as
his hand swept the strings. II heard that
In a town near my country estate a conyen-
ton Of newspaper humorists was in ses.
sion. Never have l permitted strangers to
enter my private grounds. On this occa-
sion sent for this body OF men, who In the
past have been my most bitter critics They
came and saw and were conquered. On
other gave q bouquet: to another cracked
a chestnut: others drank the perfume Of my
flowers. The next morning was again
covered with halo and my unpopularity
Wonderful" said the City Discoverer.
enthusiastically.
Yes" replied the long. lean person. land
that didn't cost anything. either. I seri-
ously object to spending money save in the
cause OF education and philanthropy"
Your unpopularity couldn't have been
founded on good grounds II II succumbed
so easily suggested the Discoverer.
why, 1t wasn't" replied the long, lean,
bald-headed person. Most of the people
| have ruined are now dead, and others
whom / have injured occupy such unlm-
portant positions that their clamor isn't
heard Consequently there Is no reason why
l shouldn't be popular
''Gracious!" said the Discoverer as he
gazed at the stranger in amazement.
Tell me" said the long, lean. bald headed
person anxfouSy, lis IL true that every one
in Heaven must own a harp? Is there no
alternative?"
why, have always understood that ev-,
cry one up there played on a harp" re-
piled the Discoverer with a puzzled smile.
''Ahi" breathed the lean stranger yenge-
fully as he swept his fingers across the bass
strings of his instrument. Il have her now.
After / form the harp trust I'll refuse TO
supply her with one and she'll have to get
OUT
"Who?" asked the Discoverer. his eyes
round with establishment.
Ida Tarbell,'' replied the long, lean.
bald-headed person a sob shook his
frame
Then" began the Discoverer. you must
John D. Rockefeller" replied the
stranger. rolling his eyes upward once more
and resuming the minor melodies
"Fury!" said the Discoverer to himself as
he wandered on his homeward way who
would have thought it?"
THE STRIKE cL0Tn