The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-28
(w. R. Rose in Cleveland Plain
 Dealer.)


 "You will have no earning capac- ity?''
 The older man drew slip of paper from his vest pocket.
 There is a check for a thousand, y he said. Do what you can with it''
 The young man flushed.
 "But I only asked you for loan of five hundred"
 'I have preferred to make it a gift of a thousand
 s'But I cannot take it as a gift, ,' said the young man quickly.
 The older man smiled.
 Take it in any way you. like" he replied. But I insist that you must not regard 1t as burden. This sim ply means that I do not expect you to return it.''
 The young man flushed hotly.
 But, of course, will return it."
 Very well'' said the older man. DO as you like. Your father was my friend a good many years ago. I like his boy. This money means lit tie to me. I should have preferred to charge it to my bread fund. But have your own way"
 The young man folded the check and slipped it into his pocket.
 Thank you" he simply said And may I ask what the bread fund is?''
 The older man smiled.
 ",The bread-upon-the-wat fund. he slowly replied. ''The bread cast adrtft-that never comes back!"
 That never comes back?" the young man echoed.
 If it does I don't know it." said the older man in his slow way. How much do you suppose my bread fund amounts to in the course of year ?' have no idea"
 "Nor have T. And what is more I have no desire to know I give because am rich, because I am ex- pected to give, because find it cas- fer to give than refuse. Sometimes I give unwisely, but that's all in the game. It has become duty. Men in my position are expected to give most of us do.''
 The young man stirred uneasily.
 You will pardon me if say that I don't like the way you speak of this-this privilege. cannot think that what you call duty has altogeth- er taken the place of sentiment. And I will not believe that the bread you cast adrift never comes back"
 You think me. cynical he said You are young, you are enthusiastic Age will tame you and diSenchant you. If the bread ever comes back I do not know it.''
 But it may come in a way that you nave not duL1C1paISd.
 The older man laughed dryly.
 T think not,'' he said.
 Sir" said the younger man, you must pardon me if I persist in my belief. Charge it, if you will to the fact that I am young. I will not ad- init that humanity is altogether for getful and thoughtless and ungrate- ful.''
 The older man smiled at his ear- nestness.
 Believe what you will''' he said.
 Come sir,'' said the younger man. T have 9 test to propose to you"
 Name it.
 your generosity, sir. Make a mem orandum of them. Wait two years for the bread to return
 s'Is it worth while?''
 'Yes, yes
 Very well then.'' He drew a pnemorandum book from his coat pocket Let me see. Two weeks ago I gave $2o0 to send a, newsboy abroad. Somebody told me the boy had a re- markabl voice that only needed cul- tivating:. Should that go down ?''
 Yes
 an on our pay roll in the HecIa mine and heard his story. He is to receive a pension, out of my pocket, that viii make him comfortable for life. Does that go?''
 ''Yes. yes. And let my. loan be the third insurance. There. In two their returns Shall we shake hands on it?'
 The older man laughed
 T like your faith and your enthu- siasm, boy he said. "I don't be- lieve, you. can win, but we will shake hands on it.'
 And their hands met across the little table.
 
 It might have been a year and a. half after this dinner at the club when financial circles heard a rumor to the effect that Spencer Trask $ health was failing. It was disturb elusive it was the more annoying the rurnor proved.
 Then the story grew into a certain ty and was speedily magnified. The fact was, IS certain near friends knew that the capitalists health was fail- ing and that at some future period surgical operation of a serious char acter would be necessary to prolong his life.
 But Spencer Trask came and went and mingled with men and held his many lines of financial endeavor HI Iliy, duu save 1lO Slgn or waning powers.
 But that very wise and high priced medical man who looks after the health of this and other millionairex was worried.
 He told the capitalist frankly how matters stood.
 That operation must come pretty soon," he said as he stood before the fireplace and looked down at his pa- tient.
 "Go ahead" said the latter
 ''It means taking 8 serious chance"
 "Ive been taking serious chances all my 1ife,'' said the millionaire. q shan't balk at tl1is.'
 The doctor did not smile.
 ,"It isn't the operation I fear,'' he said slowly. Its your heart"
 Its a heart that has weathered a great many serious scares,' said Spen- cer Trask.
 The doctor did not soften.
 'It is a heart that must be consid- cred at every move," he went on. ITO tell you the truth, Trask, there isn't an anesthetic known to us that I would dare give you"
 "An anesthetic is necessary?''
 ''Of course"
 The rich man drummed with his long fingers on the arm of his chair
 Its all up to you, Bronson" he