East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-02-15
Was Worth a Million, but
Couldn't Borrow Carfare


who would think Il possible that in a gem
erous city like New YORK in this age Of gener-
Gus giving man able to sign check for six
fgures-and have 1, cashed. too-and known -
hundreds OF prominent citizens would bs
obliged to walk several miles hecause he didar
hive a nickel in his pocket md couldn't borrow
one? Yet this very thing happened 70 man
IN tile metropolis no less prominent ana
wealthy than the head OF one OF the biggest
and oldest film concerns in the country when
has amused millions OF movie lovers AL over
the world lie Is Albert r, Smith president ok
tn Vitasraph Company OF America.
Mr. Smiths experience has made him sym
pathlzer with those whs. through no fault of
their own find themselves adrift In the
crowded streets OF the city, too proud to DOT
beg
Although having several automobiles. Mr..
Smith democrntically rode between his home
In FTatbush and his office in Nassau street
In the street cars elevated trains. The even
ing he mad the neyer-to-be-forgotten expert
ence he started for home about six oeloek.
boarding 4 at The Park row end OF the
brooklyn Bridge
trb. car was crowded as are all OF those on
the b. r. r. At that hour. and Mr. smith
clung to a strap near the front OF the car
reading a paper. The car was almost across
tile bridge when the conductor reached him.
Putting his hand into his change pocket Tor =
coin almost mecha nically. Mr.. smith was DIS
mayed to find that he didn't have a cent
Then he made "A dive for hiss wallet To his
chagrtn not to say condemnation he then
remembered that he had left II in another coat
In his office.
He tried to explain to the conductor, but that
worthy began to ''bawl him out and. covered
with confusion Mr.. Smith quickly left the
car Ii reached the Brooklyn side by that
time and the film magnate stopped to cogltats
on his future course He Is OF n very retiring
disposition and is man OF so few WORDS thAt
his associates sometimes refer to him as
Silent Smith" -,
mind Just what TO do. lie hated 10 borrow
he wouldn't beg. Also he did not relish he
long walk to his home on q stormy night:
Finally he decided to 20 into u store ana
offer his watch security for a dollar.
lie entered a bakery and made known MS
errand to the proprieior-a German AR
SInitf speaks with very slight English Ac-
cent-he was born in England. having come
to this country boy-end the Tueton prob
ably recognizing in his visitor member OF
the race that he. along with others OF his
staup was "strafinR'' daily. turned a dear
ear 10 the request. made in quiet. easy un-
assuming way. He wouldn't even look al ue
Zine gofd watch that Mr. smith heid out 10
''NeIn get ouid" he tr'ed wants noddinEs
20 20 init you.
Ahashed and hIa. lated. the movie million
naira left the store. His first experience in
irving to borrow cAifare-on the best OF Sc
,ul ity-was not calculated to give him much
create, assurance than he possessed before.
In fact II only increased his diffldence. So
he hesitated time before trying again.
Al last he mustered up courage to enter
saloon although he Is teetotsler and prob
ably never had neen in a saloon more than
once or twice before in his life.
surely" he ".vUFht. Il will have ne trouble
IN borrowing eSrfars in place liRe tasnA
lie had decided ;nAt perhaps a AethHs go
too much to ask ard ;fAt he might b@vo SSt1o'
luck " he brought down to nffp eaTaaA.
But ne reck5ued wiih"u, the suSUtCaS~- OF
tho bartender WhSn as uaIied that lns..-
viduai down to the end Of the bar and "bia.
rered his request. 1t the same time offering
the watch the dispenser OF refreshments that
often do more than cheer. stiffend up
Nix on that stuff. Gull" he said. In .
loud v)ice Which riveted the attention Of the
hangers-on the newcomer. 'Nothin' dom
We don't deal In swag heAe. Beat u Wht's
the beatns good"
The crowd laughed at this sally. as the
stranger hastened away.
Out In the str lst more Mr.. Smltn had
an idea II he could only get TO a tslephons
and call up his office he mIsht be able TO
find some there who woulG bring him
some money. lie entered drug store There
were several booths with slot machines shd
forgetting FOR moment, in his eagerness. That
he didn't have a nickel. he entered one. took
the receiver OFF the hook ant place 1t 10 his
ear
''Dismaying silence followed instead of the
pleasant Number. please, he had expected
With a sigh he emerged from the booth
and sought the proprietor. He explained his
plight to him told him who he was. and asked
him for a nickel lie mad down from
a dollar to a nickel thinking that the smaller
sum would be easier to get The drug store
man asked him for a card but he had none.
They were in his wallet.
A stony look came into the mans face
II can't do It," he said icIly.
Then Mr.. Smith thought OF the watch.
'Ill give you this security" he sntd.
The took It rather gingerly and
amined IL suspiciOusly. Finally he went to
the cash register and took out nickel, saying
as he handed II to the visitor. why didn't
you go to a pawn shop with nth the watch
Never thought OF IT." trutHsuliy replied the
ftlm magnate he dashed INTO the booth and
dropped his hard won nickel m the slot This
time he got a connection. put another d!Sap-
Iointment awaited him. re couldn't rAiss
his office.
They don't answer" came from the opera
tor repea tedy as Mr. Smith held on to the
receiver doggedly, hoping against hope that
some would reply Finally, the operator
lost patience.
your money back" she said firmly and the
nickel came rolling into the receptacle at the
bottom OF the slot mac chine.
The man of wealth clutched the nickel des-
perately
THANK heaven" he said TO himself lat
least l have earfare.'
Then he remembered tnat he might Nase
ridden home instead Of telephoning.
As he emerged from the booth he said to the
proprietor. who was watching him susplclous-
Is, 81 couldn't raise my office"
well, give me the nickel and take your
watch back; maybe IL was stolen" he sald
auiting the action to the word,