Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-22
q SUDDEN
ELEVATION.
lOrginal.1

1 hiun WIS because lie n6Q been given
by his Creator both the desire and the
nbility to be such. He had saved his
pennies as a boy. paying for IN educa-
tlon by working while studying, had
denied himself when young man in
order TO snve capital and had forged
ahead rapidly by remarkable capac-
| ity for hard work. He now lived in q
fine house. drove his horses, was pow
erful and courted. yet lie worked as
hard MS ever. One day he overheard
his butler lamenting to his coachman
that the wealth of the world was very
badly distributed and declaring that
an equitable way of arranging the
good things would be for the rich and
the poor TO change places once every
| ten years.
Peter" called the master, come
here"
Peter would have been embarrassed
at having been overheard, but he had
got the equality bee in his bonnet. and
he approached his master somewhat
deiantly.
Peter" continued Merlweather "Tye
been working very hard lately and
need rest 1 want you TO be my rep
resentative. Go and dress yourself
like gentleman and come back"
At . o'clock the next morning Peter
sat In his masters chair In his masters
Office. opening the mail. Merlweather
was there giving him Instructions for
the first days work. His affairs were
In good condition and easily managed.
indeed, there was little or nothing to
do during the day but attend meet
Ing of directors of the Eureka Copper
company at 3 in the afternoon. Peter,
armed with an order to net for his
master, went TO the meeting. Some
surprise was manifested on the part OF
the other directors that this Peter Con-
over should represent one to whom
they were accustomed to look for a
bnal decision on all important discus
slons.
The question came up rs to whether
the company should issue bonds for
some intended improvements or pay
for them out OF the dividends. After
a long discussion over the matter Mr..
Conover's views Were asked. Peter,
resolved not TO acknowledge any indie
clslon, remarked that 1t would be well
TO issue bonds.
why sof" asked the chairman.
Peter turned flaming red and said
nothing. The president stepped to the
telephone, called up John Meriweather
and asked his Views on the question
under consideration. They were given
promptly, with the best OF reasons and
the meeting adjourned.
When Peter went home he conclud-
ed to have a drive before dinner. On
reaching the house he learned that his
master had Just left on trip. This
both pleased and alarmed him. He
would have free scope to enjoy the
luxurles OF his position. but no one
would be on hand to refer to In bust
ness matters. His ride was interfered
with by an architect. who was erecting
a warehouse for Mr.. Meriweather. He
laid his plans on the table and asked
for instructions. Peter was tempted
to ask the man to wait till his masters
return, but remembered that he was
his master. Besides, the architect could
not wait. Mr.. Aieriwoather was called
up on the long distance telephone, and
hthc Ppihto MIN,
Ma fine dinner was set before the rep
resentativc OF his master, but Peters
appetite was somewhat interfered with
by the realization that he was his mas
ter only In name, not In reality. In
the evening he went to the theater:
but, since he did not care to take with
him any of the servants, he was
obliged to go alone. The play was one
OF Shakespeare's and Peter could not
understand what the actors were talk
Ing about. When the play was over
he looked In Mt one of the swell res
taurants, but his new position had
tired him, and he needed some real re-
freshment, so he went to low grade
saloon and ordered dish Of pork and
beans and mug Of ale. He felt some
what out of place in his fine costume,
but he was alone while he ate, and the
meal was Peters only bit OF comfort
during the first day of his playing the
gentleman capitalist.
The next morning Peter opened his
masters letters. Fortunately no could
read, but unfortunately he did not I'M
derstand them. and IL he had under
stood he would not have known what
replies to make. Peter had supposed
that all he would have to do in his
new position would be to cut off cou-
pons md cash checks for dividends.
He now saw that he could not hold the
position creditably for an hour. He
concluded to let the letters so unan-
swered, have good time till his mas
ter returned and then resign.
Putting hundred dollars In his pock-
ct, he took 1t homo to his family. Els
Wife. instead of laying It by for q rainy