The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-05-03
Judgment of Hold-Up Man.
Well" asked St. Peter, who are

well, asked ST. Peter, who are
you?s'
.Don't.y you know me?'' returned the
applicant for admission, according to
the Chicago Record-Herald. Surely
my name must be a household word
up here. | am Hardy Skinner, the
great philanthropist.'
And what did you philanthrope::"
asked TIE sanity gatekeeper.
Ne? Gracious, I thought you peo-
pie kept a set of books aud had every
body's record. Well, I'll tell you,
gave way more than $1,000, 000-yes
sir. Just gave it to the people by fur
nishing them with art galleries, IL
braries, hospitals. colleges and that
sort of thing.
'sWell, well, " said St. Peter, Hthat
was a lot of money to give. away.
How much was you worth when you
died?"
s.oh, I couldn't tell you exactly.
but I'd estimate it conservatively at
about $500, ,00o, ,00o."
sWhen! And how did you get it?''
How did / get it9:'' replied the
spirit of Hardy Skinner. rubbing it's
transparent hands together in the old
satisfied way that had been natural
to bim in the flesh, "why, ] got it
through my great ability as captain
of industry. / got rebates from rail-
roads, violated the laws in perfectly
respectable and ingenious ways, forced
my competitors out of business by re-
dncing my products away below cost
where there was opposition and charg-
ing ten times more than was fair
where there was nobody to buck
against me. But you know that sort
of thing is perfectly legitimate IN bus
iness. Yes, you mustn't overlook that
fact. My method you see, was nee
essary outgrowth of commercial expan-
sion. 1t was a natural development
due to modern conditions.
81 see. You forced other people to
give up whatever you saw fit to take
from them and denied them the right
to engage n the kind of business you
were conducting. y
That's putting it rather rough, it
seems to me. Still, we'll admit, for
the sake of the argument, that it was
as you say. Think of the money I
gave back! Aha, there's where 1 liked
myself up for glory in heaven, eh!
Think of man giving $1,000, 0o0
to
Excuse me moment,' said st.
Peter, till find out what that spirit
wants. Come, what is it,"
Please let me in,'' said repul-
sive looking shape as it approached the
gate.
ssWho were you and what did you
do to deserve admittance?ss'
ssI was hold up map-but walt-tlll
I tell you about it. | never robbed a
fellow of all he had without giving
him back dine or quarter to get
home with or to secure lodging for the
night.
to the spirit OF Hardy Skinner,
6 would you do if you we're in my
placer Do You think I ought to let
him in?"
ssLet him in certainly not!
The wretch deserves no pity. What
did the return Of quarter amount to
when he had taken away so or 500
from somebody who may have had 1t?
He ought to roast for $4,000 years. y
Good, replied st. Peter, you are
a wise Judge, and you have saved me
the necessity of considering your own
case further.
"Wha-ats, screamed the spirit of
Hardy Skinner. lyon don't mean
to-
But there was a fash and then a
whirring noise as of something heavy
dropping through space. after when
st. Peter turned to hear the pleas OF
other applicants.
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