The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-05-16
The Serene Mr.. Thomas.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.


Mr.. Thomas was man of forty and
well dressed. He was plain of face,
but he looked honest. He had Glad
stone bag In his hand. and he carried
this over to the wardrobe and then re-
turned and sat down near me and cut
off the end of cigar. When he had
the weed alight queried;
"Wellp
''Warm evening" he replied.
But rather cold display Of yours.
How do you manage to do it?"
II hope l don't intrude-I hope l
don't" he observed.
"Well, you are here without invita-
tion and without business, as far as |
know. thought engaged this room
for myself. Have you prior claimT
mot at ALL In fact. ! have no room
in the house. but just walked up. II
you will permit me will order up a
bottle Of cold champagne. ] am bit
thirsty, and perhaps you would not OBJ
Ject to half bottle?"
nodded. and he walked over to the
bell. When a boy came he gave the
order and paid for It. He opened the
bottle himself and served me with the
FIRST glass When he had drunk he
said:
II have figured 1t out. In fact.
figured 1t out long ago. Life Is worth
the living only in one way. That Is
the serene way. IL you can't live that
way, don't live at all"
"But how are you going to escape
the troubles and worries and vexa-
tionsT l asked.
by having plenty Of money. The
only thing that can befall the man
with plenty of money is sickness. Sick
ness comes almost altogether through
carelessness. Use due care and sick
ness will not come"
But how to get plenty Of moneys"
said.
"Yes, that was the problem with me
for years gave the subject my most
earnest thought. | had about arrived
at the conclusion that 1t was an utter
fmpossibillty In my case when | got
q sudden inspiration. and. 10. the whole
mystery was solved. Nothing could be
easier"
"Have you any objections to giving
that Inspiration away"
"Not the slightest Steal your mon
". Figure up about how much you
VIII be satisfied with and then steal
II. Yes, steal It first and then get
away with 1t later on"
looked at him to see II he was jok-
ing. He was serene. but he had
spoken in earnest While l looked at
him he looked over at the bag
"And about that sudden inspirationP'
1 asked. "When do you propose to act
upon itT
II acted about two hours ago." he
quietly replied "In that bag over
there Is f20,000 belonging to my firm.
1 have waited ten years to lay my
hands on 1t. The opportunity came at
closing time today. The first part OF
the problem is solved. Now comes the
getting away to some other country"
"Man. do you sit there and tell me
that you have Just robbed your EN-.
ployers of fortune?"
flush. tush. Be calm. Be serene
Not the slightest call to raise your
voice. Yes, the money Is there In the
bag and I'm not worrying n bit about
It. For an hour before coming In here
was In a room down the hall.
should not have intruded except there
are certain things l want and you can
help me to do"
''Of all the cheeky things ever
heard Of this takes the cake" l said
after moment of silence. III yor
have really stolen the money you may
be arrested at any moment"
"Not the slightest danger" he re
Piled ut will not be missed until
morning, and by that time ! shall b,
on my way across the channel. I d.
not know how shall make out livlnt
among the Frenchmen. but I shall b,
serene, no matter what comes. ] Sc,
that you have an American bag there
i must ask you to exchange with me-"
"Ill be hanged II | do. | don't pro
pose to get mixed up In this thing. In
wondering now why | don't ring thu
bell and send for the police"
"How foolish to get excited" he said
"This bag is not known and Will no
get you into any trouble but by carry
ing yours get more Of an American
look. have been practcing for year
and I don't believe that one could tel
from my speech that was English.
have the American chin whisker here
and. with your permission. | Will glu
Il on"
He took false goatee from his pocl
ct and stepped to the mirror and al
tached 1t, and when he turned around
was astonished at the change. The
he tried on my hat, which was made
New York, and hung up his In plac
Of 1t. Then he asked:
"Will you kindly empty your bag"
A movement of his body showed m
the handle Of a pistol In his hind pocl
ct and complied. stood there an
saw him change the bags. and ! sa'
the money he said he had stolen. Thei
were ten packages OF It. When IL
bag had been closed he said:
II am Infinitely obliged to you an
hope your opportunity may soon com
hNnAl. ls mi m