Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-12-23
APHILANTHROPIsT's CHRISTMAS.

BY Anna 5. Driscol-S
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CHRISTMAS.
"Did you see this committee yesterday
Mr.. Mathews ?" asked the philanthropiSt.
His secretary looked up.
Eyes, SIR"
"You recommend them, then ?"
eyes, sir"
"For fifty thousand ?"
"For fifty thousand-yes, sir"
"Their corresponding subscriptions are
guaranteed ?"
81 went over the list carefully, Mr..
Carter. The money is promised, and by
responsible people"
every WE'LL" said the philanthropist.
"You may notify them, Mr.. Mathews,
that my fifty thousand will be available
as the bills come in"
Eyes, sir"
Old Mr.. Carter laid down the letter he
had been reading, and took up another.
AS he perused it his white eyebrows rose
in irritation.
"Mr. Matthew'S" he snapped.
eyes, sir"
"You are careless, sir !"
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Carter p
questioned the secretary his face flushing.
The old gentleman tapped impatienty
the letter he held in his hand.
"Do you pay no attention, Mr.. Mathews,
to my rule that no personal letters con-
tanning appeals for aid are to reach me ?
How do you accountfor this, may ASK p
al beg your pardon, )" said the secretary
again. "You will see, Mr.. Carter, that
that letter is dated three weeks ago.
have had the woman's case carefully in
vestigated. She is undoubtedly OF good
reputation, and undoubtedly in need; and
as she speaks OF her Rather as having been
associated with you,l thought perhaps you
would care to see her letter"
"a thousand worthless fellows asso-
ciated with me-" said the old man, harsh
ly. ain great factory, Mr.. Mathews, a
boy works along side Of the men he is
put with he does not pick and choose.
dare say this woman is telling the truth.
What OF it? You know that | regard my
money as public trust. Where my en-
ergy, my concentration, to be wasted by
innumerable individual assaults, what
would become OF them? My fortune
would slip through my fingers as unpro-
fitably as sand. You understand, Mr..
Mathews ? Letme see no more individual
letters. You know that Mr.. Whlttemore
has full authority to deal with them.
May trouble you to ring? ! am going
out"
A man appeared very promptly in an
swer to the call.
"Sniffen, my overcoat," said the phil
anthropist.
at is ere, sir" answered Sniffen,
helping the thin old man into the great
fur folds.
There is no word of the dog, sup
pose, Sniffen ?"
"None, sir. The police was here again
yesterday, sir, but they said as 'ow-"
"The police" The words were fierce
with scorn. Eight thousand incompe-
tents" He turned abruptly and went
toward the door, where he halted a mo-
ment.
"Mr. Mathews, since that woman's
letter did reach me, suppose must pay
for my carelessness-ory yours. Send her
what does she say ?-four children P
send her hundred dollars. But for my
sake, send il anonymously. Write her
that pay no attention to such claims.
He went out, and Sniffen closed the door
behind him.
Takes losin' the little dog ard, don'i
he ?" remarked Sniffen, sadly, to the Sec
rotary. w'm afraid there amt chance
of findin' i'm now. e amt been stole,
nor e amt been found, or they'd ave
brung him back for the reward. 'E'S been
knocked on the cad, like as not. e
wasn't much of dog to look at, you see
just pup, I'd call i'm. An after e learn
ed that trick of slppin' is collar off-well
| fancy Mr.. Carriers seen the last of i'm,
do, indeed"
Mr.. Carter meanwhile was making his
way slowly down the snowy avenue, up
on his accustomed walk. The walk,
however, was dull to-day, for Skiddles,
his little terrier, was not with him to add
interest and excitement. Mr.. Carter had
found Skiddles in the country year and
half before. Skiddles, then puppy. was al
the time in most undignified and unde-
sirable position, stuck in drain-tile, and
unable to advance or to retreat.
Mr.. Carter had showed him forward,
after heroic struggle, whereupon Skid
dies had licked his hand. Something in
the little dogs eye, or his action, had in
duced the rich philanthropist to bargain
for him and buy him at cost OF halt a
dollar. Thereafter Skiddles became his
daily companion, his chief distraction,
and finally the apple Of his eye.
Skiddles was of no known parentage
hardly Of any known breed, but he suited
Mr.. Carter. What, the millionaire reflect
ed with a proud cynicism, were his own
antecedents, if it came to that? But now
Skiddles had disappeared.
AS Sniffen said, he had learned the
trickof slipping free from his collar. One
morning the great front doors had been
left open for two minutes, while the hall
way was aired. Skiddles must have
slipped down the marble steps unseen,
and lodged round the corner. AT all
events, he had vanished, and although