The Washington times., 1906-03-18
A Little Series OF
"WhyS"

ACK JAYNE came home unusually
carly one afternoon. He felt alb
solutely impersonal-as II crea-
- lures were merely matter occupy
ine snace-but. boying TO his wife. ne
assured her that she was the one true
honest person of earth
Mrs. JAYNE tried to kiss away the wor-
ried look on her husbands brow ana
assured him that he did right TO come
home: but being a woman. she could
not resist giving advice.
She asked him II he had not seen any
really poor. miserable people that day.
and he replied that. If he had. they had
not seemed half so miserable As he felt.
Thereupon she told him that he could
have crowded out his own troubles by
bearing those OF some one else BE
sides - she added. L sent "A poor man
20 YOU today who asked for food and
who really wanted work After oues-
tioning him I thought you might hnd
place for him in the factory Did you
see hirn7'' she asked
Jack could not remember n he had
seen the nan. though ne believed the
foreman had said something about It
az any rate. there were no vacancies
Nothing moro was said OF the subject
ane little Of the good advice sank into
Jacks brain and none into his heart
His wife was always his sweet. consol-
ing angel. and attended TO the charities
OF the family Some years after. how
ever. Jack had reason 70 recall this con
VersatiOn.
Jacks business went 20 smash Posi-
tions such as he demanded were not
easy to find. Being.a man who had in
-rryff l40r
a love for work, he had few business
principles People who had positions OF
trust 20 offer were not looking for per-
| sons of Jacks type.
One day. however. he learned OF po-
sirion which he believed would suit him,
SO he applied for IL.
The firm was a new one. and during
the interview Jack made it clear that
he vfs Mr. Jack Jayne, who until re-
cents. had conducted q magnificent
business
"Ahr' said the head OF the firm, you
are the man to whom / applied for
work the first day / reached this town.
was poor then, at least in my own
name. and all my inherited wealth can
not make me forget that awful strug-
gle. Ard you. sir were the first man
TO refuse me work"
But" he added. Il am going TO give
you the position here for which you
have applied. because your wife gave
me the first meal for which / ever had
to beg. and. what is more, sir. she be-
Iieved me honest. for she sent me 10
you for work.
Jack soon found he was incapable of
filling a position which demanded rigid
~
ployer exacting. but of an appreciative
nature.
But Jack had no gratitude in his aris-
tocratic makeup. MIR. Johnson (his en-
ployer) was never even asked TO share
the hospitality CT a dinner at Jacks
house. All no! he was Jack Jayne. and
this man had begged once, no matter
what his present position and wealth
We're Besides. Jack had not told his
wife to WhCt circumstances he was in
debted for his position.
| Mrs. jayne had occasion 10 call on
Jack at the office upon a matter of
busiress Jack was out. Mr.. Johnson
introduced himself and invited her TO
seat in his private office
Mrs. Jayne" he said, this is a keen
pleasure to me to be able to thank
you once more for your goodness to
me some years ago. Surely 1 needed
the meal you gave me, ana how have
blessed you for your trust in me, Al
though your husband had no work for
me. your belief in me spurred me on,
and / obtained work that very day.
Mrs. Jayne remembered, and ex-
pressed her surprise at his wonderful
success. and that, strangest OF all. her
! lust then Jack entered, and she re-
lated the story enthusiastically TO him
turning. she begged that Mr.. Johnson
would soon dine with them OR. per-
haps," she added, you have wife II
"Alas!" said Mr.. Johnson, my wife
died 1ust two months ago"
| .Oht" replied Mrs Jayne; "and TO
think I did not know it, How sorr,
| ann But you will come to see us. VIII
you not?'
lack found he could not remain in
| the employ of the firm, and resigned.
| Mrs. Jayne was waking to Jacks
shortcomings, and begged him 70 do
| something for the happiness of otbers-
| 'T have no money for charity" he
replied
cured YOU your last position, or a look
of kindness that sank into a grateful
soul? How many hours Of comfort
YOU could have given a lonely heart by
inviting that noble man TO your homeI
Jack dear, how can you be so tender.
so true 70 me and forget the misery
of all your fellow-beings?"
He kissed her and said. You are
nina" s. H. 7.