The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-01
THE EVENING STORY
The obliging Reformcr.

NeAltn, SOOo looks, YOUTH ara was d
society favorite. Now and then he
went hunting or yachting, but most
of the time he simply dawdled. That
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
seat beside her. t'I have a duty to
perform q"
"I wish I had he replied.
People are 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"
''Te1l me what to do" replied sgd
ney, yawning.
"Get married"
TOO much trouble-too many emo
tions."
Take a trip around the world"
"Too much change of scenery
"Ah, 1 have it!" exclaimed Mrs.
Spofford, after a moments thought.
You are rich. Why not turn philan-
thropist? Not in the way of hospitals
or asylums, but go among the poor
and give a few of your dollars to
alleviate distress and misfortune. You
don't know the real people as I do.
ing the hungry and giving out aims.
Only this afternoon 1 gave a one
legged man half a dollar, and you
ought to have heard his words of
gratitude!"
''Just So" replied Sydney Gerald.
with bit OF a smile as he thought
OF the many one-legged men he had
tossed quarters to.
TRY it for few weeks-for three
months. 1t may lead to your becom-
ing reformer. At any rate, it will
rouse you up and give you something
new to think of. 1t is positively sinful
way"
yes. L think so.''
IF you should turn out to be a re-
former 1 shall take most of the credit
to myself. Three months, Mr.. Gerald
try 1t for three months, and at the
end of that time I will arrange for a
little gathering to hear your report.
1t cannot fail to be interesting. You
will have a hundred different incidents
to relate. Don't you feel a new and
strange ambition already?"
Yes, think I do. Yes, 1 think L
will turn reformer. 1 may not max,
a success of it, but I'll make a try"
The relict of the Hon. Charles
did not entirely drop society while fit
ting himself for a reformer, he was
lauded and quiZzed on numerous occa-
sions by numerous people.
the necessary energy to pursue the OBJ
ject, and the most that was predicted
of his efforts was the depletion of his
purse without corresponding gain.
There was a great deal said about the
unthankfulness and ingratitude of the
world in general, but it didn't seem to
affect him much.
You know you must not look for
too much gratitude" cautioned Mrs.
Spofford.
mo, I shan't."
you will feel that you have done
your duty, and your conscience will
reward you"
Just so.''
MANY and many a time I have Civ
en- pennies and got never a word of
thanks. In fact, I have got black
looks as the wheels of my carriage
happened to throw a little mud. but
1 drove on feeling that 1 had made the |
world trifie better. That feeling must |
be your reward"
''Yes, + shall look for it."
When the three months had expired |
ness to report. A score of ladies gath |
cred in the drawing room of the Hon. |
Charles's widow. There were no men |
among them. Charity and reform did |
not touch that sex.
When he was ushered in it was re-
marked that he seemed to have ac- |
Quired energy and gained ambition, |
and there was great curiosity as to /
what he would report.
Ladies, I beg to say began Sgd
go to work I began my investigations
in the house of a wealthy lady. 1t
came about almost by accident. I |
found that she was in arrears to all
for their bills. I relieved
the distress. 1 gave each servant two
months back pay, and paid each
something on account. L
H., - I,
Here Sydney Gerald paused. Mrs.
Spofford turned pale. but her nerve
was with her and she managed to force
a smile.
ney. 'T turned a corner one evening
and bumped against a young woman
in tears. 1 was a stranger, but when
she understood that I had taken up
the business of reformer she told me
the cause of her distress. She was
"She had worked a week on a gown
for we'll known lady, and on carry
she must wait a couple of weeks for
her pay. She was going home penni-
less, hungry and the rent unpaid. The
lady in the case bought a diamond
lara next day that was mentioned in
all the papers. She could have paid
The bill a thousand times over. but
she needed the diamonds first. I paid
he seamstress."
There was an uneasy movement UP
and down the room, and for some
reason all eyes were directed on Mrs
SomerviI1e. She was conscious of the
fact, but with sang-froid that did {
her credit she put up a her lorgnet
and stared at a picture on the wall. Il
ST happened in at a milliner's,"
said sydney with a smile. Queer !
place for a man to be, but happened.
Can't say that / was looking for a p,
hat. but in searching out subjects for
reform YOU have to drop into various
places MilIiner a nice little widow. {
All her capital in the business. Just