The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-06
Mere Clerk" Faces Big Problem
DESCENDING Income From Millions

he may gaze over New York harbor
and see the great towers OF finance in
the lower part OF the city
But will IL be possible for Mr..
Walker 10 remain in seclusion for
long? The possession of $4,000, 900
makes him a financial figure of ma
| tional interest. Society and its at
fairs will claim him; he will be de-
ferred to on important questions; his
| good grnces will be sought; also his
| signature on checks.
The reaction of men to sudden
| wealth and position has been n favor
lite theme OF fiction and filled pages of
history.
In striking contrast to the quiet
disposition shown by Mr.. Walker Is
the character OF Edmond Dantes,
Dumas hero in the Count OF Monte
Christie" who cries, upon finding hid
den treasure: THE world is mine"
Dantes. who, through rivals in love
and business, had been thrown into
prison, learned there, through another
prisoner, of hidden gold. Making his
escape. he found the buried fortune and
went to Paris as mysterious count.
He spent his fortune aiding his friends
and furnishing enemies.
The counts" reactions were those
to be expected OF warm hearted ad-
venturer who had been seriously
wronged.
Contrast with Mr.. walkers quietness
the counts" dramatic gestures In
that pose in which we always think OF
Conte Cristo standing on rock, waves
dashing about him, arms thrown taut
to the sky declaring that he stood atop |
OF the world and that 1t belonged TO |
him. Wealth gave this poor sailor an
overpowering sense OF power and tri-
umph over the universe that wronged
him.
In fiction, too, there are instances OF
persons being suddenly told they are
rich or powerful, usually the hoax be-
ing instigated by. some one In search
of merriment or interested to see now
the victim would react,
Such a case liz that OF Sly, the tinker,
In 1.-THE Tanning OF the Shrew.' Upon
being found the worse for liquor by
lord. he is taken TO said lords manor.
or castle or apartment, apartment, or
whatever the nobleman lived In, and "
told that he is "Sir Christopher sly"
and that all await his pleasure. a
company Of strolling players passing by
is told to stay and give comedy, upon
which command the story OF Katherine
the ahrew Is presented.
Sly, surprised Mt first and incredu-
lous when awakening from his stupor,
quickly reconciles himself to his new
estate. and becomes quite lordly.at
OF what n lord should be.
But Mr.. Walker is not surprised or
elated, insofar as any comment OF ms
own would indicate. Unlike Sly, he III
not .befooled and not given to strong
there Is no vocal basis
for judgment--it Is extremely unlikely
that ne ever touched anything more
potent than coffee.
And II there is contest OF the
mil nTpRent
lence precludes the possibility OF his
cutting n ridiculous figure even In the
event he should lose some OF the MIL
Hons.
product OF 9-year-old girl, one OF the
Mr.. Salteena, visiting n
luxurious country home, rolled over III
the costly bed" upon being called In
the morning. :,
am not mistaken MIR. Salteena took
quickly to the high life" into which
ne was suddenly introduced, even as
Llngulshng himself at reception 70
he Prince Of Wales. But the poor
won the hand Of the Eighty heroine.
ethel. Mr.. Salteena had been rather
,ut OF place, after all. al,
How many of u.s. ! wonder, would
wealth cause to roll over In costly
BED; how many would spend as the
.
20? Would we be arrogant to, old
friends, or would they desert us In our
new found luxury? Would the dollars
drive us suddenly to mad extraya-
gances, or would we readjust ourselves
gradually and graclously to the respon-
sihpities and ease of great capitalY
But Mr.. Walker, II must be remem-
bered, Is a man Of about 40. who for a
long time has Hhouldered the RESPONSE
billties OF his late benefactor. 80 re-
ably. indeed. that he pleased Mr..
Scarles by not referring annoying de-
ails OF business to him, but quietly
md efficiently settled such matters
himself Mr.. Walker In said, 70 be gen.
,rous in disposition and considerable OF
,thers. For instance, although not n
smoker, he In man who often gives
'lgars away TO those about him who do
Ike to smoke.
The will. however Of the late Edward
=. Searles win be contested bitterly. II
q expected. and while Mr.. Walker may
rot get all OF his $50, 900, 900, surely he
i