Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-05-01

went hunting or yachting, but most
OF the time be simply dawdled. That
meant his club. the races and society
He was accounted a catch, but no
me caught him. He didn't really try
to dawdle, but pursued his Emphatic
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 re-
eeption as she drew him down to a
seat beside her II have a duty to-
perform"
ST 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"
"Tell me what to do" replied sgd
Dey, yawning.
sect married"
'Too much trouble-too many emo
tious"
''Take a trip around the world"
'Too much change of>scenery."
"Ah I have itr' exclaimed Mrs. Spot
ford after moments thought You
are rich. Why not turn philanthro-
mist? 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 do. There
is no day that I am not feeding the
hungry and giving out aims. Only
this afternoon l gave a one legged man
half a dollar. and YOU ought to have
heard his words Of gratitude
Gust 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 a few weeks-for three
months. 1t may lead to your becom-
ing a reformer. At any rate, it will
rouse you up and give you something
new to think of. 1t Is positively sin
full for you to be dawdling along this
way"
eyes. l think So"
"If YOU should turn out TO be re-
former l shall take most of the credit
TO myself Three months, Mr. Gerald
try It for three months, and at the
end of that time l will arrange for q
little gathering to hear your report.
1t cannot fail to be interesting. You
will have q hundred different incidents
to relate. Don't you feel a new and
strange ambition alreadyr'
"Yes, l think I do. Yes, think |
will turn reformer. / may not make a
success Of it, but III 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, he was lauded
and quizzed on 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 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, / shan't"
"You will feel that you have done
your duty, and your conscience viii
reward you"
"Just So"
MANY and many a time have given
pennies and got never a word of
thanks In fact, l have got black
looks as the wheels of my carriage
happened to throw a little mud, but 1
drove on feeling that had made the
world a trihe better. That feeling
must be your reward"
Eyes, l shall look for It,"
When the three months had expired
Sydney Gerald announced his readi-
ness to report. A score Of ladies gath.
cred in 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 1t was re
marked that he seemed to have ac
CURED energy and gained ambition
and there was great curiosity as to
what he would report.
L"ulSs' Deg 10 say began Syuney
''that In my ignorance OF how to 90 tC
work / began my investigations in the
house of a wealthy lady. 1t came
about almost by accident. ] found
that she was in arrears to all her serv
ants and mat tradesmen were clamor
ing for their bills. / relieved the dis
tress. gave each servant two months
hack nav and maid aaah tradaanoar
something on account. l have a mem
orandum Of her name"
Here sydney Gerald paused. Mrs
spofford turned pale, but her nerve
was with her, and she managed e
force a smile.
by accident again." resumed sgd
ney, II turned q corner one evening
and bumped against young woman
IN tears. was a stranger, but wher
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