The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-18
Mr.Yan Arsdale's|
Partner
lie Was Very Practical
In Making a Sc
lection
By ELINOR MARSH

that my father looked worried Tho
increased till he took to his bed He
never left it. After his death his af.
lalrs We're settled and 1t was announc-
ed TO my mother and me that he had
died insolvent. We had nothing to live
on except a small annuity my father
mad settled on my mother when they
were frst married and were beginning
10 cEmb the golden ladder. But this
barely sulttced for my mother.
1t was surprising to me how soon |
lost all my friends in society. For
awhile | was invited as before and.
having a wardrobe, accepted some of
the invitations received But within
half a year those men who control the
sale OF Women's garments had so
changed the fashions that my clothes
We're no longer In vogue. From this
time | dropped out of the social swim
and was soon forgotten.
had met certain Mrs. Abercrom.
bic, the widow of a capitalist who had
herself become philanthropist. One
! day when mother and l were wonder.
ing how we would make ends meet
received note from Mrs. Abercrombie
saying that she needed secretary and
| offering me the position. OF course
jumped at the opportunity and accept
ed the offer at once.
My employer regarded the fortune
her husband had left her as trust for
the benefit Of those who needed help.
Indeed, her husband had left 1t to her
for this purpose. Her personal ex'
penses We're very small. and she never
gave anything away except in accord
ance with the principles that had beer
laid down for her by her husband ir
his will. She was kind hearted wo
man, but very conscientious, and had
been converted by her husband to be
lieve that money given indiscriminate
ly did harm instead Of good. With he
the distribution of charity needed man
agement just as her husbands bust
ness needed management.
| Mrs. Abercrombie gave ME yer.
small salary to begin with. Indeed,
was not at first worth much to her
but l was very attentive to my worl
and as fast as learned 1t she increas
ed my pay. But at it's best 1t was no
much
Mrs. Abercrombie dispensed goo
deal Of money in connection with othe
philanthropic capitalists. If half a mi
lion dollars was needed to found hos
pital she would be one Of number G
i persons to make up the amount Thi
II at times was the cause of my meetin
II these persons. They were old me
II who had spent lifetime in accumula
II ing fortunes, or else their widows.
II was quite frequently sent to them wit
messages from Mrs. Abercrombie, an
there were cases in which l was con
missioned to talk over plans for M
tual expenditure of money for CHART
y had heard Of certain Edgar va
: Arsdale, an old gentleman who Joine
Mrs. Abercrombie in various gifts, b.
had never met him. One day a lett
\ ] Of his to my employer came into II
n hands for fling. 1t announced tn
her plan with regard to "a day nursel
at Crockerville" was satisfactory
him and he would join her In 1t wi
Measure. There was also stateme
that he was grateful to her for co
senting to help him in the matter
partnership and he would talk Z
matter over with her. | supposed tn
the writer was getting old and wish
some one to take upon himself pa
of his affairs.
i 1t was not long after filing this Il
ter that Mrs. Abercrombie sent me
Mr.. Van Arsdale to state her reaso
for declining to give certain sum
money. She explained the matter
me thoroughly so that would be al
N make It clear to Mr.. Van Arsda
was driven to his home and on rea'
ing it and giving my name ana |
I object Of nv call to a maid was Us
ered into n room used by the phlli
thropist as an office. 1t was emp
and took seat while waited.
iii It was not long before young III
some twenty seven or twenty-eis
7 wears old entered, bowed to me as q
erentlally as If | were a social oe
and placed chair for me near de
III at which he seated himself. Then
+ waited for me to state my business
II "Pardon me-" l said. Il have co
\ from Mrs. Abercrombie TO make
statement to Mr.. Van Arsdale. p
sume II will be the same If MAKE
III TO YOU as If l made it to him direct
Iii Exactly"
iii Perhaps you are Mr. van Arsua
IN partner"
III His partner =,
lin eyes have charge Of Mrs. Al
III crombie's correspondence, and recen
iii IN filing a letter from him ! notice l
III he was thinking of taking partner
iii ooh. YOU did. That gives me
III ,dao Persons writing letters 10 OF
iii nersons having secretaries should d
III a care what they say"
"Not Mt all. In such matter
III ,horcrombie and | are one ana
iii same person. u, ,
iii az see" he replied. Just as ME-
III Arsdale and are one and tue 80
- Tho matter In hand" | BEG