The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-05-09
The Luck of Mr.. Hopkins


which he was tired, because he was
healthy and optimistic and had learned
that men and places and things were
usually of a pretty good sort. Nor was
ne tired OF being a millionaire. II
wasn't bad fun, and it was inexpensive,
Cor being a millionaire. on a million
aires income, is, by ratio, one Of the
cheapest occupations in the world.
The it Of which he was tired con-
sisted OF SO many things that it was
somewhat diffuse and hard to put your
finger upon. Principally il was per-
haps having TO do nothing that he
really had TO do. To particulariZe
bit. cit included seeing his name in
the newspapers, girls whose fathers
and mothers were anneXationists, the
fathers and mothers themselves, auto
mobiles, yachts, dances, operas, city
house parties, camps, Europe, horse
shows, Florida, gymkhanas, and-oh,
lots OF other things. He wanted 10 do
something that was different from all
these. only to find that the occupations
open to a young millionaire are pitifully
limited. That is, plain, ordinary occu-
Dations. His mater-Of-fact mind did
not run TO sensations. II he wanted to,
Of course he could go out and discover
the North Pole or found a national uni
versity, or penetrate Tibet, or establish
an eccentric charity, or do anything else
that was peculiar or cost money. But
that sort OF thing did not appeal to the
mind of J. ThOTncrOft Hopkins, which
was sedate, orderly and, beyond doubt,
commonplace. So conservative was that
mind that for little while when he
realized that he was tired Of the things
which he had been doing.
Under parental guidance it might
have been different, but his mother
died when he was a little boy and his
father just as ne left college. Whatever
plans the senior Hopkins may have
had he did not live to disclose. All he
did was to leave J. ThOrucrOft an edu-
cation and a few millions. The millions
were firmly imbedded in a steel plant.
about which young Hopkins had no
need TO vorry. True, he had a sister;
out she was married to a millionaire
situated in the same commonplace way
q himself. so she did not count.
J. ThoTucroft Hopkins rarely did any
thing hastily. so he thought about this
matter Of being tired for a long time.
Then he went to see his lawyers.
Il am going away" he said. For a
year, at least; perhaps longer. Where
Oh. I don't know definitely; all over
guess Just came to tell you to look
after things while I'm away Money?
d.. 4
You needn't worry if you don't hear
from me much. I'll be all right. In
Vestments? DO whatever you think
hest about that. Let il stay where il
is. if yoU like. Well. sOodby."
And thereat j. Tnorncr0ft Hopkins
walked out Of the offices of his lawyers
with an uneasy. pleasurabIe feeling that
he was probably a very great liar.
aFr0r l-1
manager briskly
James T. Hopkins
ANY references
NO. sir I didn't think about that %
ITS customary. Any experience
No"
we advertised for somebody with
experience. It's usually too much trou-
bic breaking in a green man. Habits
good %
II think so"
Gamble"
No, sir"
play the horses
No. sir"
Married."
No. sir.
Live with your folks?"
No: I'm boarding.
The manager devoted five seconds to
a scrutiny Of james T. Hopkins and
three seconds to thought.
Come around tomorrow morning.
he said. and I'll let you know whether
I can give YOU a job. III be frank and
tell you that if anybody who can show
some experience comes along in the
meantime you won't get it
Hopkins picked up his hat and
walked out mildly excited. The uncer-
tainty of his immediate future was not
displeasing. Tomorrow he would either
be hired or looking for a place some
where else. II was his nearest approach
TO a game of chance. He hummed a
tune as he walked up town TO his
boarding house.
It was a new thing in his life when
he tumbled out of an iron bedstead in
a hall room at 8 O'Clock in the morning
and began 20 dress. Il vas equally
novel 70 breakfast at Z in a dining room
half filled with other young men who
were apparently clerks. and young
women who might have been stenog-
raphers, ana other persons of various
ages who were. likely enough. all sorts
OF things. An early ride down town in
an electric car was an absolute innova-
ton. Surely, adventure was coming
upon him fast.
Wen try you" said the manag ger.
But you'll have to make good, under
stand"
Thank YOU" said Hopkins.
You'll get ten dollars a week"
Hopkins nodded, being a little too ex-
cited 10 speak
II was o'clock that evening when
he started up town TO the boarding
house. reviewing in his mind the things
he had been doing all day. He was
amazed at his own capability. He had
sorted papers, rearranged books, car.
ried samples. answered the managers
bell, stamped letters. posted them,
opened other letters. handed messages
20 telegraph boys. eaten a quick
lunch, studied letter files. peeked ints
the labyrinth Of a card index, found
out whom people wanted to see-in fact.
It was hard 10 think Of anything he had
not done.
All week he did these things. over
and over again. and gradually he began
10 understand why he did some of them.
on Saturday night there was a so bill
in his pocket. He changed this on the
way home and handed SIS to his land
lady, who smiled and said something
gracious about young men who were
good pay.