The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-04-08
Tie Firm Of GirdleStOne
-----pssl.:...,. BY CO.,
A. CONAN DOYLE

you in the city. A good name, too
ha! ha!-an excellent name, Iron
grey, you know, and hard to look
at, but soft here, my dear sir. soft
here. The little man tapped him
with his walking stick over the car
diac region and laughed boisteTously,
while his grim companion smiled
slightly and bowed to the compli-
ment.
1--WE come here begging" said Mr.
Jefferson Edwards, producing a por-
tentous-looking roll of paper from an
inner pocket Know I've come to
the right place for charity. The Alb
original Evolution society my uear
boy. All it wants is a few hundred
to float 1t off. Noble aim, Girdle-
stone-glorious object"
What is the object?" the merchant
asked.
"Well, the evolution of the abor-
igines," Edwards answered in some
confusion. Sort of practical Darwin
ism. Evolve em into higher types,
and turn 'em all white in time Prof.
Wilder gave us a lecture about it.
I'll send you round Times with the
account. Spoke about their thumbs.
They can't cross them over their
palms, and they have rudimentary
tails, or had until they were educated
off them. They wore all the hair or
their backs by leaning against trees.
Marvellous thing All they want is
little money"
ut seems to be a praiseworthy OBJ
ject," the merchant said gravely,
81 knew that you would think so.'
cried the little philanthropist enthus-
iastically. "Of course bartering es
you do with aboriginal races their de-
relopMent and evolution is matter
of the deepest Importance to you.
If man came down to barter with
you who had a rudimentary tail and
couldn't bend his thumb--well, it
wouldn't be pleasant, you know. Our
idea is to elevate them in the scale Of
humanity and to refine their tastes.
liewett, of the Royal Society, went
to report on the matter a year or
so back, and some rather painful in
oident occurred. l believe Hewett
met with some mishap---in fact, they
60 the length of saying that he was
eaten. So you see we've had our mar
tyrs, my dear friend, and the least
that we can do who stay at home at
least is to support the good cause to
the best of our ability"
Whose names have you got?" ask
cd the merchant.
Lets see," Jefferson Edwards said,
unfolding the list "Spriggs, ten Nor
ton, ten; Wiggleworth, FIVE; Hawkins
ten. Indermann, fifteen; Jones, FIVE;
and good many smaller amounts.
What is the highest as yet?"
''Indermann, the tobacco importer,
has given fifteen"
ut is good cause" Mr. Girdlestone
said, dipping his pen into the ink
bottle. He that giyeth'- you know
what the good old book says. OF
course list of the donations will be
printed and circulated"
Most certainly"
Here is my check for twenty-five
pounds. l am proud to have had this
opportunity of contributing towards
the regeneration of those poor souls
whom Providence has placed in a low
or sphere than myself"
"Girdlestone," said the member of
Parliament with emotion as he pock-
eted the cheque, you are good man.
l shall not forget this, my friend; /
shall never forget it,
Wealth has\its duties, and charity
is among them," Girdlestone answered
with junction, shaking the philanthrop-
lists extended hand. Goodbye, my
dear sir. Pray let me know If our
efforts are attended with any success.
Should more money be needed, you
know one who may be relied on"
There was a sardonic smile upon the
hard face of the senior partner as
he closed the door behind his visitor.
"Its a legitimate investment he
muttered to himself as he resumed
his seat. What with his Parliament
AIRY interest and his financial power,
its worth the money to stand we'll
with him. 1t looks well on the list,
too, and inspires confidence. l think
the money is we'll spent"
Ezra had bowed politely as the
great man passed through the Office,
and Gilray, the wizened senior clerk,
opened the outer door. Jefferson
Edwards turned as he passed him and
clapped him on the shoulder Lucky
fellow" he said, in his jerky way,
good employer-model to follow -
great man. Watch him, mark him,
initiate him, that's the way to get
on. Can't go wrong" and he trotted
down the street; in search of fresh
contributions towards hie latest fad.
The stamping little clerk was stJtll
standing at the door watching the
retreating figure OF the millionaire,
and mentally splicing together mis-
fragmentary remarks into a symmet-
Tlcal piece Of advice which might be
carried home and digested at leisure,
when his attention was attracted 10
a pale faced wozlan. with a child In
her arms, who was hanging about the
entrance. She looked up at the clerk
dn a wistful way, as If anxious to
address him and yet afraid to do SO.
Then noting, perhaps, some gleam OF
kindness in his yellow wrinkled face,
she came across to him.
Dye think l could see Muster