Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-09
HIS WORD OF HuN@

"A group Of distinguished miilionaires.
i've OF them, all men whose names are
known from one end of the country to the
other. were taking luncheon in the hotels
palm ROOM 1t wasn't a business luncheon.
but--merely a little getting together. and
they all became pretty gay.
THE talk at the table veered around
to the subject Of business mans word
of honor. One Of the millionaires, a man
known for the extreme sharpness Of some
OF his transactions, felt called upon to be
very outspoken on this subject. almost as
If he felt himself under fire. He held to
1t that once a business man passed his
word there should be-could be-no recall
ing OF that word. The word should stick
In any and all circumstances. Nothing
should be allowed to interfere with the
carrying out OF that word, even IL the
man passing his word should be put to all
sorts Of hardship in carrying out the pro-
visions of his word Of honor
1T seemed to some Of the others that
this was carrying 1t a bit too far They
said SO. and argued the point with the
man who was for the unbreakableness of
the passed word Of honor.
Suppose, said one Of them. that the
person to whom such a word Of honor Is
given should be an unworthy individual,
and one who would do the man thus Civ
ing him his word as quick as winking il
he got a chance?
Doesn't make a particle OF difference
said the millionaire who was for the bind
ingness Of the passed word. Before Civ
ing his word the business man should see
to 1t that he isn't likely to come into con-
TACT with any such people. II he does
come into contact with them it's his own
fault. He must bear the consequences.
But he can't break his given word
But, suppose said another one of the
disputants. one should happen. by some
n yfNyn fC
knowledged thief, what them
He'd have to abide by it. that's ALL
promptly replied the man who chung to the
letter of the word One doesn't have to
come into contact with thieves, but. If one
does, and inadvertently passes the thief
the word of honor, why, there's nothing else
IN life to be done except to abide by the
word. That's all. That's the way I look
at the matter. anyhow
wen, I'd like to see you put to such a
test, old man. said one of them then. I'm
not saying that you wouldn't act up to
your convictions. but I'd be willing to
gamble that 1t would give you a twinge
and that you'd be letting off some steam
while 1t was happening.
never go On record with anything
that don't stay with in actual practice
replied the millionaire with the strong
views on the subject under discussion,
and then the talk switched around to
something else.
The luncheon party broke up about half
an hour later. and the millionaire with
the strong views went to his suite of
rooms He found himself alone when he
got there. His valet was out on an err
rand and his secretary was attending a
funeral. The millionaire tossed himself
on couch to take a bit of a nap. Before
he had been stretched out a minute, how
ever, card was sent up to him. The
millionaire didn't know the name on the
card. but there were three words scrawled
on the bottom of the card relating to a
deal that the millionaire was Interested
n fol flo I1alII
to send the visitor up.
The visitor appeared three minutes
later. He was Observation-Disclosures
man of forty-five or SO, with whitening
hair. and perfectly dressed and groomed
He advanced as If to shake hands with
the millionaire. who stood in the middle
OF his study Then the millionaire noticed
that his visitor had a revolver in his
hand and that the muzzle of it was on a
line with his own heart. He paled, but
steadied himself.
Don't worry. sir said the visitor, in
weh-bred way, but never lowering his
weapon from its hip-high position. I
have no violence in mind II you haven't
SO It would seem. when you approach
millionaire, grouchily. ----. .-
The fact Is said the visitor, with
complete calmness, I find myself pro-
foundly embarrassed this afternoon to
The amount Is ten thousand dollars 1
have taken the desperate chance-the
only chance 1 can see-of getting the
money from you
"'Of sticking me up for it, eho snorted
the millionaire.
Well. if you elect to call 1t by that
ugly name. yes replied the visitor, un-
moved. may add that 1 think IL will
be best for you to let me have the amount
without loss Of time 49,
And If 1 refused to give it to you. what
them inquired the millionaire, stunned
with the mans impudence.
trust you will not require me to an
swer such question: was the polite reply.
But haven't the least notion that you will
reIuse me the money. and there was a
hard sound to the visitors voice when he
said this.
1.-THE millionaire stood looking at the Wis.,
itor.
But he said, you are not idiot enough
to suppose that carry any such a sum
as ten thousand dollars in cash about with
me. are your
IT certainly am not was the cool re-
me check for the amount
Instantly the millionaire experienced
what he thought was flash of understand
ing.
you scoundrel. what makes you imagine
that would not stop payment upon the
check Immediately you left this roomT
because you are going to give me your
word that you will do no such thing
calmly replied the visitor.
Whereupon the millionaire secretly
chuckled. He could see 1t all, he felt conf
dent. His friends with whom he had taken
luncheon had put up job on him. They
were testing him as to that statement of
his that even II he gave his word of honor
to thief he would keep the word in
violate. Well, thought the millionaire. ri
show those buffers
You are cool rascal said the million
aire to the visitor, but I suppose there ia
nothing else for me to do but to Weld To
your game, since / am here alone and ut-
terly defenseless. l shall write the check
for you, but I'll get you yet, mark that,'
All ask you to give me your word
about, sir, replied the visitor, is that you
will not stop payment on the check After
l cash the check 1 shall attend to the
matter of my own safety
Put your gun down then and shall go
over to my desk and write you the check
And he did write the check and hand II
to the visitor. The check was on a hank
right around the corner from the hotel.
Now said the visitor ready to depart
you are giving me your solemn word Of
honor as a gentleman and as a~busfness
man that you will not stop payment on this
check?
1.-The millionaire nodded, and the visitor
left. The millionaire sank into a chair and
laughed aloud when the man had gone.
"In show those rascals up for putting
up that job on me-, he chuckled 'They'ii
all have to own UP that beat them at their