The Democratic advocate., 1909-03-12


meant his club, the races and society
He was accounted a catch, but no
one caught him. He didn't really try
to dawdle, but pursued his lymphatic
way simply because there seemed
nothing else to do.
"See here, you. good-for-nothing,
said the widow Of the late Hon.
Charles Spofford one evening at a re-
ception as she drew him down to a
seat beside her. II have a duty to
perform"
II wish I had" he replied.
"People arc saying you have no
energy. no ambition, no aim in life.
You have too much money-too much
time on your hands. You are throw.
ing your years away"
"Tell me what to do" replied sgd
ney, yawning
"Get married"
"Too much troubIe-too many emo.
tions."
"Take a trip around the world"
''Too much change OF scenery"
"Ah, have itr' exclaimed Mrs. Spof.
ford after a moments thought. "You
are rich. Why not turn philanthro-
pist2 Not In the way Of hospitals or
asylums, but go among the poor and
give few of your dollars to alleviate
distress and misfortune. You don't
know the real people as / do. There
is no day that l nm not feeding the
hungry and giving out aims. Only
this afternoon gave a one legged man
half dollar, and you ought to have
heard his words Of gratitude"
"Just So" replied Sydney Gerald,
with bit Of smile as he thought of
the many one legged men he had
tossed quarters to.
"Try 1t for a few weeks-for three
months II may lead to your becom-
ing a refurmer. At any rate, II Will
rouse you up and give you something
new to think Of. II is positively sin.
full for you to be dawdling along this
way"
"Yes, think So"
''If you should turn out 10 be a re-
former / shall take most Of the credit
to myself. Three months, Mr.. Gerald
try II for three months, and at the
end of that time viii arrange for
little gathering to hear your report.
1t cannot fail TO be interesting. You
will have hundred different incidents
TO relate. Don't you feel a new and
strange ambition alreadyr
"Yes, think l do. Yea think |
win turn reformer. ] mar not make
success Of It, but Ill make a try"
The relict OF the Hon. Charles spread
the news. As sydney Gerald did not
entirely drop society while fitting him.
self for a reformer. be was lauded
and quizzed IN numerous occasions by
numerous people.
Only scanty few credited him with
the necessary energy to pursue the
object, and the most that was predict
ed of his efforts was the depletion OF
his purse without corresponding gain.
There was great deal said about the
unthankfulness and ingratitude Of the
world in general, but 1t didn't seem to
affect him much.
You know you must not look for
too much gratitude" cautioned Mrs
Spofford.
mo, / shan't."
"You will feel that you have done
your duty, and your conscience win
reward you"
"Just So"
Many and many time have given
pennies and got never a word OF
thanks. In fact / have got black
looks as the wheels of my carriage
happened to throw u little mud. but
drove on feeling that l had made the
world a tride better. That feeling
must be your reward"
Yes, shall look for It."
When the three months had expired
Sydney Gerald announced his readi.
ness to report. A score Of ladies gath.
cred I'm the drawing room Of the Hon.
Charles widow. There were no men
among them. Charity and reform did
not touch that sex.
When he was ushered In Il was m.
marked that he seemed to have ae.
quired energy and gained ambition
and there was great curiosity as TO
what he would report
Ladies'. beg to say" began Sydney
that in my ignorance Of how TO go 70
work began my Investigations IN the
mouse OF a wealthy lady. Il came
about almost by accident. | found
that she was In arrears TO all her sery
ants and that tradesmen were clamor.
ing for their bills. | relieved the dis.
tress. gave each servant two months'
back pay and paid each tradesman
something on account. have a mem
orandum Of her name"
Here Sydney Gerald paused. Mrs
spofford turned pale, but her nerve
was with her, and she managed TO
force smile
BY accident again." resumed Syd.
ney, II turned q corner one evening
and bumped against young woman
In tears. was stranger. but when
she understood that had taken up
the business Of reformer she told me
the cause of her distress. She was
Feamstress.
"She had worked week on a gown
for a well known lady and on carry,
ing 1t to the house had been told that
she must wait couple Of weeks for
her pay. She was going home penni.
less, hungry and the rent unpaid. The
lady In the case Lcdght d dlamonal
tiara next doy that wa mentioned In
all the papers. SHE could have paid
the bill Thousand times ever, but
she needed the diamonds first. l paid
the seamstress."
There was an urcasg r I'm. nj up|
and down the room. ar, ot.a rea