The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-11-21
A Valuable Souvenir.
.Original.]

HlSloW Cokef came OF wealthy
family, but fortunately for him the
wealth had all disappeared before it
had an opportunity to interfere with
his abilities to make his way in the
world. He went to Alaska on the news
of the gold discoveries there and by
lucky stroke made an immense fortune
before he was twenty eight Then,
having regained the family prosperity.
he laid plans for the social status. His
family several generations before had
been London swels, so he went to
London to look for social preferment.
He said nothing there about his
wealth, but announced that he was a
| Coker, with a view of trying, if the
name would insure him, an entree to
society. Some remembered the posi-
ton held Ivy his ancestors, but no one
seemed to take him up on account Of
1t. Then he mentioned his wealth,
but even that-at least the mention of
it-made no impression on society.
Finally he fell in with Sir Thomas
Spottiswoode, an impecunious baronet,
who told him that to get into society
he must spend money and spend it in
way to accomplish the object he de-
sired. Sir Thomas offered to direct
his expenditures for considerat ton.
A bargain was struck by which Sir
Thomas was to receive $1,000 for him.
self and an unlimited amount for So
ciety
The beginning was dinner given by
Cocker, the invitations to which were
given by the baronet. He knew those
in society who needed money and paid
| literally for acceptances from the right
| people. Among those invited were
Mrs. Mulholland and her two daugh-
tiers, Lillian and Grace, aged respec-
| lively twenty-four and twenty. Cocker
was by no means an unattractive man,
| and Grace Mulholland took fancy to
him. But in sending checks Sir Thorn
as made a mistake He sent separate
| check to the mother and each of the
daughters. Grace Mulholand had been
unaware up to that time how her moth
er maintained her social position in the
face of poverty and was indignant.
She sent her check right back, and to
| MI. Cocker himself.
Coller said nothing about the matter
to his social manager. He felt sure
that il the vain the baronet was man
aging well, and this turned out to be
the case. He steered Coker by grad
ual zigzag approaches, as military men
reduce fertilization. into the best set
in London. Coker after few months
got beyond the people he had invited
to his first dinner, though in rare in
stances he met the Mulhollands. After
a time he broke through the GOODNESS
with which Miss Grace treated him,
i having excused himself for his action
toward her on the ground that he had
desired to enter London society and
had placed the management of his
entree into the hands Of another. In
time her prejudice was worn away,
but scarcely before the American rose
to social position so high that he was
/ quite beyond the Mulhollands, and be
never met them.
i Coker spent several years in Lon
don, reaching the topmost round of the
social ladder; then, at thirty-four. he
had exhausted whatever pleasure
there had ever been in it for him. He
resolved to return to his native land
and lay out for himself Il career. What
that career was has nothing to do
with this story Shortly before leav-
ing he was driving by the house where
flag flying. Upon inquiry he learned
that Mrs. Mnlholland's management of
her affairs had not been a financial
success and the home given the family
for services to the state by the first
Mulholland must go by the board.
A few days later Coker sent out in
vitations to a farewell dinner. 1t was
was to be given to each guest. He
sent an invitation to the Mulhollands,
writing one himself for Miss Grace,
begging her to accept If she declined
he would consider the declination to
mean that she had not forgiven him
J for that which he never would have
) permitted had he been previously hon
, ored by her acquaintance. She wrote
an acceptance, saying that she had
never blamed him and to make him
feel comfortable about the matter
would keep the souvenir intended fol
her as a memento of very pleasant
, acquaintance.
] When the dinner came off every one
was surprised to see the Mulhollands
at the function. Several young Wo
men present who had endeavored tc
snare the wealthy American wondered
when they saw him singularly defer
entail to Grace Mulholland. The din
ner was a splendid affair and the
souvenirs We're very costly. They were
) brought in for last course, and wher
the covers were removed many mag
nifcent jewels glistened in the lights
All were handsome except that Of
Grace Mulholland, which was a glove
box containing dozen pairs of gloves
She smiled sincere thanks considering
/ her comparatively valueless gift ,
/ reparation for the check.
E When she got home she took out thu
e gloves and with the last pair came
= false hoftnn, tn tho how II bo,-;u hoo,