Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-05-18
STORY OF WORLDS
MOST HONEST MAN

~ @N~-S
in 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
sn a small, but comfortable apartment
IN Lexington avenue, near Fifty-eighth
street, with his wife. and he is m
ployed as a bookkeeper In a big Twen-
ty-third street retail millinery estab-
lishment. His salary is a moderate
one, but it sutfices for himself and his
wife, n 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 n concerts In which ne and his
wife indulge. Besides he has n saw
ings account laid up against sickness
or misfortune. He never has had any
children, which fact both he n his
wife beInoan He takes a lively inter-
est in political matters, pays his per-
sonal axes regularly, n on his Vaca-
ton each year he goes with his wife
To a quiet little resort down the Jersey
coast and bathes and fishes for rabs.
That, briefly, is the outline OF every
thing important in h life OF +. l..
Kelley up 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. h q is
supplied by the Consolidated Gas COM
pany of New York, n corporation of
$50, 000. 600 capital, which has nearly
1900 miles of mains and controls the
gas and electric light privileges of Man
haitian, Bronx, Kings, Queens and
Worchester, and, through its associated
companies, the gas and electric light
OF the surrounding cities.
The company's regular dividend APP
proximates 6 per cent. on a funded debt
OF about $95, 600, 900, and OF this Kelley
pays on al average OF So. So a month.
1t so happened that, for the month
OF January, 1905, one OF the dark
months when the gas bills run a little
higher thai 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
It, as was his custom. 1t happened that
Kelley stuck 1t into his pocket and
went to work that day without pay
ing Ii. He knew that the discount was
safe, as he had four days to pay with
discount privileges. so he paid no at
tention to the matter until that night
while riding home on the electric car.
Then he suddenly thought that he had
forgotten to pay the gas bill n de-
cided to drop off the car and pay 1t
before going home. He took the bill
out as he entered the drug store and
amount only was 81 cents he stopped
and examined II more closely.
Insists Gas Bill Is Too Small.
Hello, Fred said the druggist
Anything | can do for your"
Il guess not said Kelley, still ex-
aiming the bill. II dropped in to pay
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"
said Kelley.
We'll, that's their business. They can
afford TO lose it,"
Il know-but I'd rather pay what
I owe them" remarked the man for
whom Diogenes hunted I'm 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 have 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 amount"
Impossible. We never make mis-
takes in the amounts OF bills. The
amount Is just what the meter shows
you used, and Ii Is useless to complain.
People always think they haven't used
much gas. but they can't foo the
meter"
THAT may be true" remarked KEEL
-. .4Il.s .L4- LII a., ----I
I've used more gas thar this"
"What?" said the clerk, clinging to
the ledger for support.
1T probably should be 500 for Jan
uary,' continued Kelley calmly, but
1t is made out for 81 cents-probably
merely q clerical error. / wish you
would correct it and let me go. as my
time Is valuable"
Wait a minute" said the clerk. He
disappeared and a few minutes later
reappeared with a superintendent.
Gas Officials Are Astounded.
The two talked together. and the SUI
perintendent looked at Kelley curious
iy. Then he disappeared and returned
with we other officials, who examined
the bill, peeped at Kelley through the
bars, and then one remarked: We'll.
I'll be darned! Wait a minute"
He returned with a still higher Off
Cldl, anu dlItI SoIIlG GOilNCISdllOH iii
official came forward and poked his
hand out to shake hands with Mr..
Kelley.
Mr.. Kelley he remarked, I'm glad
to meet you. / will make a personal
investigation of this bill and send the
corrected bill to you at this address.
But l van 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 &c
his office.
Two days later Kelley received the
corrected bill and paid 1t. The amount
was $6.16. A careless clerk had lef,
off the final figure.
Kelley went back to work and forgo,
all about the matter until a few weeks
& when he received a small box, in
side Of which was a card on which was
written:
From the officers and directors OF
the Consolidated Gas company"
Packed in the cotton below was a
beautiful medal. On one side was a
figure of Diogenes, standing as IL sat
lsfied at last and preparing TO blow
out his lantern. On the other side was
the miniature reproduction OF a gas
bill. The inscription was on n side
and the date was upon the gas bill
The inscription read:
''To Frederick l.. Kelley, an honest
man."