The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
OBJECT OF POVERTY
 WANTS VACATION Council Of Diamondville Have Perplexin5 Problem MAINS1AY OF THE TOWN Becomes Rich on Charities and Asks F. Permission to Take Family to
 Europe for a Short
 Rest.
OF THE TOWN
From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
 The council of the little town of Diamondville was in sesison.
 Diamondvllle was peculiar in one re- spect-it was composed exclusively either of millionares or of those who were in- dependently well off
 Suddenly there was a sensation. The door opened and a man came in. His name was Jeplet, and he was the only pt or man in town.
 There was an awkward pause. The mayor twitched nervously in his seat. The town clerk-who owned three rail- roads-looked anXiously toward the new conner. Everybody was uneasy
 Well. MT. Jeplet," said the mayor, "wfIat can we do for you? l hope that you had a pleasant Christmas l under stand that your children fared pretty well?"
 Jeplet himself was plainly uneasy.
 Yes" he said, thank you. All went well. Nevertheless, l am determined to leave you
 Every Face Blanched.
 Every face in the room Dldncned. Mag nate Smith, cue of the leading men of the place, and noted throughout the nation for his philanthrophy, sprang to his feet. Gan II be possible, Jeplet," he exclaim- ed, that you are going to treat us with such ingratitude?"
 Sorry, sir, but
 Magnate Smith fixed him with his eye. Let us understand each other, Jeplet, VI he said. "As you know, you are the only poor family in our pleasant and attrac- tive little borough. For years you have gone on having children with absolutely no means of supporting them. You have been dependent upon the charity of others, and you have been practically the only means by which we could uisplay our own charitable tendencies.
 ''Our ladies have come to rely upon you, Jeplet, to vent their higher impulses. When things were dull in the Woman s club, and the Old Masters had been dis posed of temporarily, or the suffrage question luled to sleep, they have filled in the time by making d personal visit to Mrs Jeplet and getting up subscrip- tions of old clothes for your children. What would we have done without you at Christmas, Jeplet? Why, for some years now, as 1 gather my boy around me, 1 have been enabled to say to him:
 "You Mustn't Leave"
 ' Just think, Robert, of the poor little Jeplet children who shiver in their mis- erable hoyel while you are surrounded with luxury But how can 1 say that now, Jeplet, if you are going away? Your mustn't leave us in the lurch like this. V
 He sat down amid subdued applause. The mayor spoke.
 '"Citizens," he said, we are indeed con fronted by crisis in our affairs. How can we go on enjoying ourselves without some poor family to cater to? And who can take the place of the Jeplets? They were so absolutely worthless and offered so many outlets for our activities that their loss will be irreparable. Why, as I look at Jeplet now my heart swells to think that he is wearing my clothes. Jeplet, you mustn't go We cannot do without youi"
 Jeplet shifted uneasly.
 I'm awful sorry, your honor," he said, but I don't see no way out of it..
 ''Is there anything that you need?' asked the mayor, anything that any of us may have forgotten? Haven't all of our children visited you regularly? Just mention anything that you may want and I am sure"
 A confused murmur of abject willing ness on the part of every one was now heard.
 Under Pressure.
 Jeplet, under this pressure, was plainly uncomfortable. He looked around, and as he saw the anxious faces tears filled his eyes,
 "Well,' he said at last, q suppose if you feel that way l shall have to stay but would you mind letting me off for the summer?''
 Certainly not" said the mayor. May we inquire where you are going?'
 Jeplet smiled faintly.
 You see,' he answered, you have been so good to me all these years that l am pretty well off myself, and l thought if you didn't mind I'd like to get a little vacation and take my family on trip to Europe"