Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-02-17
A Social
Hireling
Story of an English Gentle.
man Down on His Luck.
By WILLIAM CHANDLER

A young man whose clothes were OF
fine texture. of an English cut and be
ginning to show signs of long wear
stepped into an Office on an upper floor
of a skyscraper on Fifth avenue, New
York, and approached sleek, gentle
man-like man sitting at a rosewood
desk.
Beg pardon. sir" said the man whu
entered, with smooth English accent
Il have understood that you desire
persons for social purposes
HIM! | sometimes have occasion
to recommend Il young man to fill IL
to Do you dancer
II do"
There is also need for dinner sub
stitutes.'
BEG pardon:'
You are not familiar with New York
society methodist
Il have recently come from London.
where | have had the entree to the
smart set
Very good. We have here a mum
Der of families who have recently be.
come enormously rich and who are de.
sirous of getting into society. We cal
them social climbers. They must be
gin by inviting the few persons in thc
swim they can get to their functions
6lling up with those who are not in the
swim, gradually increasing the numhel
Of the former and diminishing the lat
ter. 1t is essential that the filters
should lie familiar with the customs of
swelldom. l perceive from your man
ner that you will make an excellent
filler"
What are your terms?''
I'm the beginning can pay yon S;
for dancing party and SO for a din
ner."
"Why is the greater work paid the
lesser price"'
Because the dancer uses his heels
and need not betray himself by saying
anything. The diner must talk"
Il see. One must have intellect tt
be dinner companion"
"Not at all. He must be able tc talk
we'll about nothing. Can you do that?'
Il can only assure you that | have
been in society all my life. Only be
ing out Of funds induces me to offel
my services for what you call a filler
Very good. Mrs. Barnaby Ritz gives
dinner tonight and needs several
young men. The number has been
made up with one exception. Have
you evening dress?"
"My evening dress is all have. II
is in fair condition"
Il presume you will need a little
something for carriage and other tri
t1es," handing the man five five-dola.
bills.
But, my dear sir, you don't know
me. What is to prevent my pocketing
this money and not seeing you again?'
Excuse me for contradicting you
| do know you. What you say is by
no means complimentary to my dis
cernment- l know gentleman when
1 see him and would know him if be
were in the garb of huckster."
Thank you very much"
The agent, Mr.. Pulsifer Short, took
the mans name and address. the name
given being Ralph Plummer
"Assumed?" said Mr. Short dryly.
"As you like" was the response.
When Mr. Plummer appeared al
Mrs. Ritz's-he was directed to be on
hand in time to be looked oversize
brought lorgnette to bear on him and
after asking him few questions said:
My most blueblooded guest for the
evening is Miss De Witt. She is a de
scendant of John De Witt. a great
something or other of Holland don't
mind telling you that | secured her
because my son saved her from being
run over by an auto. You are the only
man who is to dine here today who
will be up to her high stepping gait
Do what you can to entertain her. II
send you something substantial tomor
row."
Mr.. Plummer was shown into q room
where the guests were assembled
They were not all unrefined. and Miss
De Witt was evidently high bred Bu
she was not as Mrs. Ritz had describ
ed her, being unassuming and lady
like. Though she was not among per
sons Of her own set, she did not indi
cate by her manner that she was ou
of place. When her dinner companion
was introduced to her she looked n
him with an expression that he couli
not well define. 1t might have beer
curiosity; it might have been surprise.
"Mr. Plummer. did you say. Mrs
Ritz?"
Yes. This is Mr.. Plummer, an olr
friend of ours"
The filler passed one of the pleasant
est evenings of his life. feeling from
the first en- rapport with his compa
nion. Mrs. Ritz conducted heIsel
quite well. considering that her hus
band had started his career as Il fOun
dryman, but several of her guest
made serious breaks At such time
Miss De Witt either went on wit!
what she was saying to Mr.. Plumme
or listened attentively to what h
said to her altogether ignoring tn
breach. Plummer was too much en-
crossed with her to even know that
| ease of i'll breeding had occurred