Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-05-09
His Word of Honor
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 49, tx1T|1x*1tt

OF new fOrk great nypneHaIeQ uos
tells q few years ago." said Pat Gal
ligan. the house detective of the New
Willard.
"A gfoup of distinguished million
aires. five of them. all men whose
names are known from one end of
the country to the other, were TAX
ing luncheon In the hotels palm
room. It wasn't business luncheon,
but merely 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. man known for the
extreme sharpness Of some of his
transactions, felt called upon to be
very outstoken on this subject, al
most as II he felt himself under fire.
He held to 1t that once business
man passed his word there should be
could be-no recalling 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
II the man passing his word should
be put to all sorts of hardships in
carrying out the provisions Of his
word Of honor.
1T seemed to some Of the others
that this was carrying 1t a bit to
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 giving him
his word as quick as winking II he
got chance?'
Doesn't make particle of diff
ference said the millionaire who
was for the bindlngness of the passed
word. Before giving his word the
business man should see to 1t that he
isn't likely to come into contact with
any such people. If he does come
into contact with them It's his own
fault. He must bear the conse-
quences. But he can't break his
given word
"'But. suppose said another one
OF the disputants. one should hap
pen, by some mischancc. to give his
word to some acknowledged thief,
what them
He'd have to abide by 1t. that's
ALL promptly replied the man who
clung to the letter of the word
One doesn't have to come into con-
tact with thieves. but. II one does,
and inadvertently passes the thief
the word of honor. why. there's moth
ing else in life to be done except to
abide by the word. That's all
That's the way l look at the matter,
anyhow
Well, Id 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 twinge and that
yOu DS iSltihS VII coiiiS oNNeii "hA'N
1t was happening.
1 never go on record with any
thing that don't stay with In actual
practice, replied the millionaire with
the strong views on the subject un-
der discussion, and then tho talk
switched around to something else.
"The luncheon party broke up
about half an hour later and the mil
lionaire with the strong views went
Is his suite of rooms. He found him
valet was out on an errand and his
secretary was attending funeral.
The millionaire tossed himself on a
couch to take bit of a nap. Before
he had been stretched out minute,
however, a 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 tho mil
lionaire was Interested in that In
duced him to tell the bellboy to send
the visitor up.
THE visitor appeared three min
utes later. He was distinguished
looking man of forty-flve or so, with
whitening hair, and perfectly dressed
and groomed.
"He advanced as il to shake hands
with the millionaire, who stood In
the middle of his study. Then the
millionaire noticed that his visitor
had revolver in his hand and that
the muzzle of 1t was on line with
his own heart. He paled, but stead
led himself.
Don't worry, sir said the visi-
tor, In well-brcd way, but never
lowering his weapon from its hip
high position. 1 have no violence in
mind II you haven't
So 1t would seem, when you ap-
proach me with gun in your hand,
said the millionaire, grouchily.
The fact is,' said the visitor,
with complete calmness. I find my
self profoundly embarrassed this af-
ternoon to get the money to pay q
note that is due. The amount is ten
thousand dollars. l have taken the
desperate chance-the only chance
can see-of getting the money from
you
OF sticking me up for it, eh?'
snorted the millionaire.
"'Well, If you elect to call it by
that ugly name, yes,' replied the visi-
tor, unmoved, I may add that think
1t will be best for you to let me have
the amount without loss of time
And IL / refused to give 1t tc
you, what then?' inquired the mil.
lionaire, stunned with the mans i'm.
pudence.
trust YOU will not require me