Graham guardian., 1909-09-03
GheOblisins
RefOrmer.
BY STELLA CADMUS.
Copyrighted, 1909, by Associated
Literary Press,

of the time he simply dawdled. That
meant his club, the races and society,
He was accounted 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 re-
ception as she drew him down to a
seat beside her "I have duty to
perform"
'T wish had" he replied.
"People arc saying you have nc
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
nsy, yawning.
"Get married"
"Too much trouble-too many emo
tions."
''Take a trip around the world"
"Too much change Of scenery"
"Ah, have itr' exclaimed Mrs. Spot
ford after moments thought. "You
are rich. Why not turn philanthro'
pist? Not in the way Of hospitals OF
asylums, but go among the poor and
give few of your dollars to alleviate
distress and misfortune. You don't
know the real people as do. There
is no day that am not feeding the
hungry and giving out aims. Only
this afternoon gave one legged man
half a dollar, and you ought to have
heard his words Of gratitude"
"Just So" replied Sydney Gerald
with a BIT Of smile as he thought o.
the many one legged men he had
tossed quarters to.
"Try 1t for a few weeks-for thre
months. 1t may lead to your bccom
ing a reformer. At any rate, 1t VIII
rouse you up and give you some'hinr
new to think Of. 1t is positively sin.
full for you to be dawdling along thi
way"
"Yes, / think So"
"If you should turn out to be re.
former I shall take most of the credii
to myself. Three months, Mr.. Gerald
try It for three months, and at the
end Of that time l will arrange for
little gathering to hear your report.
It cannot fail to be interesting, You
will have hundred different incidents
to relate. Don't you feel new and
strange ambition already?"
IL fhtnly 1
will turn reformer, l may not make a
success of 1t, but I'll make a try"
The relict of the Hon. Charles spread
the news. As Sydney Gerald did no,
entirely drop society while fitting him.
self for reformer, he was laudeI
AMI quizzcd OH numerous occasions b.
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 1t 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 have given
pennies and got never word of
thanks. In fact, have got black
looks as the wheels Of my carriage
happened to throw little mud, but
drove on feeling that had made the
world a trihe better. That feeling
must be your reward"
"Yes, 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 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, beg to say" began Sydney.
"that In my ignorance of how to go to
work began my Investigations In the
house Of wealthy lady. 1t came
about almost by accident. found
that she yoc In arraorS to oil bar Sory
ants and that tradesmen were clamor-
ing for their bills. relieved the dis
tress. gave each servant two months
back pay and paid each tradesman
something on account. l have a men,
orandum Of her name"
Here Sydney Gerald paused. Mrs.
Spofford turned pale, but her nerve
was with her, and she managed to
force smile.
by accident again." resumed Sgd
ney. 81 turned corner one evening
and bumped against young woman
In tears. was a stranger. but when
she understood that had taken up
the business OF reformer she told mo
the cause Of her distress. She was n
seamstress
"She had worked n week on gown
for well known lady and on carry
ing II TO the house had been told that
she must wait couple of weeks for
her pay She was going home penni.
less. hungry and the rent unpaid. The