The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-05-18
STORY OF WORLDS
MOST HONEST MAN

DloSeheS search is ended. me nom
est man has been found. He is Fred
srick l.. Kelley of New York.
In the midst of insurance scandals,
OF graft revelations, oil Investigations.
and rebate exposures. Kelley looms up
III striking contrast to the great men
whose regulations are being ~blackened.
The discovery that Kelley was honest
WAS made in a strange way. He lives
IN a small. but comfortable apartment
street. With his Wife. and he is en-
ployed as a bookkeeper in a big Twen-
ty-third street retail millinery estab-
His salary is a moderate
one, but 1t suffices for himself and his
wife. and he is a regular attendant at
st. Patrick's cathedral.
He lives a clean and upright life, en-
joys the small outings and trips to the
alters and concerts in which he n his
Wife indulge. Besides he a a saw
ings account laid up against sickness
children, which fact both he and his
wife bemoan He takes a lively inter
est In political matters, pays his per-
sonal taxes regularly, and on his vaca-
ton each year he goes with his wife
TO a quiet little resort down the Jersey
coast and battles and fishes for crabs.
That, briefly, is the outline of every
thing important in the life Of F. L.
Kelley w to the time it was discovered
that he was honest.
The discovery was made in this way.
In his apartment he uses gas for light
ing and cooking purposes. The gas is
supplied by the Consolidated Gas COM
pany of New York, a corporation OF
$50, 900, 900 capital, which has nearly
1,500 miles of mains and controls the
gas and electric light privileges of Man
haitian, Bronx, Kings, Queens and
Worchester. and, through it's associated
companies, the gas and electric light
of the surrounding cities.
The company's regular dividend APP
of about S95. 000, 600, and of this Kelley
pays on an average of $3.50 a month.
1t so happened that, for the month
of january, 1906, one of the dark
months when the gas bills run a little
higher than usual, Kelley received a
bill for 81 cents; His wife. after she
received the bill and without exam
lining 1T carefully, gave it to Kelley so
that he could stop at the branch office
In the drug store on the corner and pay
1t, as was his custom. 1t happened that
Kelley stuck it into his pocket and
went to work that day without pay
tng it. He knew that the discount was
cafe. as he a u days to pay with
discount privileges. SO he paid no at
tention to the matter until thai night
while riding home on the electric car.
Then he suddenly thought that he had
forgotten to pay the gas bill and de-
cided to drop off the car and pay it
before going home. He took the bill
out as he entered the drug store and
examined 1T. When he saw that the
amount only was 81 cents he stopped
and examined it more closely.
Insists Gas Bill Is Too Small.
Hello, Fred" said the druggist
ANYTHING l can do for you?"
Il guess not" said Kelley, still ex-
the gas bill. but there seems to be some
mistake"
"Ho! ho!" laughed the druggist. You
stand a bright chance to get those peo-
pie to correct a mistake."
The bill is less thar it should be-"
said Kelley.
Well, that's their business. They can
afford to lose it,
II know-but I'd rather pay what
1 owe them," remarked the man for
whom Diogenes hunted In vain as he
pocketed the bill and walked on to-
wards home.
The following day. being downtown
on business, kelley dropped in at the
main office of the gas trust and went
to the complaint department.
Il AVE a bill here" he remarked to
the clerk, which seems to be wrong"
What's the matter with it?" asked
the clerk.
Why, there seems to be a mistake
in the
Impossible. We never make mis-
takes in the amounts of bills. The
amount is just what the meter shows
you used, and it is useless to complain.
People always think they haven't used
much gas, but they can't fool the
meter
THAT may be true" remarked Kel-
ley. But this bill is entirely too small.
I've used more gas than this"
"What?" said the clerk, clinging to
the ledger for support.
1T probably should be ss.10 for Jam
uary," continued Kelley calmly, but
it is made out for 81 cents-probably
merely a clerical error. wish YOU
would correct it and let me go, as my
time is valuable"
Wait q minute" said the clerk. He
reappeared with a superintendent.
Gas Officials Are Astounded.
The two talked together, and the SUI
perintendent looked at Kelley curious
ly. Then he disappeared and returned
with two other officials, who examined
the bill, peeped at Kelley through the
bars. and then one Remarked: "Well.
4 4 NC N6IIlGu: w d1l q mlnuCe.'
He returned with a still higher off,
cial. and after some conversation this
came forward and poked his
hand out to shake hands with Mr..
Kelley.
Mr.. Kelley" he remarked, I'm glad
to meet YOU. 1 will make a personal
investigation of this bin and send the
corrected bill to you at his address.
But I want the discount" protested
Kelley.
You shall have it, SIR" said the off,
cial. The discount will be allowed
on the face of the bill that is sent to
you"
Then he shook hands gravely with
Kelley and returned to his work, while
kelley, much puzzled, hurried back to
Two days later Kelley received the
corrected bill and paid it. The amount
was $6.16. A careless clerk had left
off the Anal figure.
Kelley went pack to work and forgot
oil about the matter until a few weeks
ago when he received a small box, in
of which was a caro- on which was
written:
From the officers and directors OF
the Consolidated Gas company"
n,@y,ol L.. H.