The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-12-09
An UnabuSed
Monopolist
Copyright The Frank a. Munsey COMPANY
BY WILLIAM Il. HANDY

image 5atu lily Ai4CAu-
/ looked with Indifferent glance at
the man pointed out. l have found the
richest man almost as numerous as
the oldest irhabitant. and not more
interesting
Very peculiar" remarked my friend
us If to arouse my curiosity But my
interest was too languid to prompt
question
"IIas an absolute monopoly in his
line" continued the friend.
"Yes said idly they all have.
"Foliows a business never heard OF
before continued the friend.
Nv That r asked, my interest at last
aroused
Landing money to people who
never pay their debts" replied my
friend
This was interesting indeed, and /
began to ask questions.
mo" said my friend, "he is not
bothered by too many applicants, for
it is known that he never lends a cent
to man who asks him.
HE actually hunts for the right or
rather the wrong kind. He never
lends to a man whose credit is good
for dollars worth of -four or roast
Of meat. He never lends to a man
who owes less than five hundred dol
lars. He never takes any security, he
only charges six per cent. and has
not sued man for twenty years"
That certainly was man worth
knowing. Here was something new
under the sun. When urged for more
information my friend suggested had
better talk with him myself.
After a very cordial greeting we te Ok
chairs ia the library facing each 1r,
the richest man in Carthage and !.
.Your friend was speaking of you
yesterday" he said with frank smile.
And / am glad you came
A light and almost boyish interest
aud enthusiasm in his eye gave me q
very pleasant sensation.
4It is about this strange business Of
yours, j rejoined. Il wanted to know
about it,
Al right" he said, ask what you
win
There was neither egotism nor reti-
cence in his tone.
rs it really true that you lend
oney to people who have no credits"
eyes, he said,
s'Wilhout any secarity?"
a0nly their notes"
'Do they ever pay it?"
"Certainly," and he laughed heartily.
TOW do You manage to collect 2?
gust wait for them to come around
and settle.g ne replied ia a matter
q fact way.
rhey don't apply to you for the
money!" | asked.
no not if they get any. l always
apply to them"
How do you manage it,"
wen, | begin with the commercial
reports. When | ind mans credit
Sad i begin to get interested. | make
further inquiries, and il find his
credit hopeless. ! visit his town. #
The banks, the merchants and the
town in general tell me he is no good
for any debt, / then consider him eli
gible for q loan
and you get your money!" asked
In establishment.
I'm twenty years l have lost less
than three per cent. Pretty good aver
age, isn't it?"
splendid" said. but why in
thunder don't you explain2 Don't you
see I'm completely befuddled?'
FIe laughed lightly. Then his face
changed to kindly seriousness.
perhaps if ! tell you Of my first
uan you win understand
8 inherited thirty thousand when q
goaasster Of twentysix, and to cele-
braEe MY thankfulness decided to use
one thousand of 1t in helping some
o9of devil who was down on his luck.
well sir, you know / hunted over q
month before ! found my man. ] was
! anxious to get the biggest possible
dsgidends OF happiness out Of that
thoasand. / walked the streets at night.
] visited the tenements, the hospitals,
even $50 jails. I found pleAty Of fell
lows no would have fallen on my
neck and wept with gratitude for the
1 IAQuSdltds BGt NY tAAN 49, 49, 49,
sill. Canie nearly giving il to Jenkins,
but discovered he gambled ] knew II
would last him about three nights, and
shen he would be down on the same
old luck.
Il felt moved TO help Drake, but
/ Drake loved the flowing bowl, and
could see thirty tipplers around the
oar hiiariously heIpjng Drake break
that thousand. So PASSED Drake"
found my man BY accident and +
was in d Justice court. A young fell
| sow about my own age was being sued
for a suit OF clothes He made no de-
tense. Acknowledged the bill, and took
advantage Of the creditors law.
raere We're some good lines in that
fellow face in spite OF his hang-dog
look and hopeless eyes.
II made some inquiries and found
he fellow owed nearly everybody, ard
I none Of them could get 8 cent out q
lin. He aeyer was known to pay q
debt they all declared.
THAT evening went out to his
aouse 4 little two-room shack near