What is Fame!

Otago Witness, Issue 2757, 16 January 1907, Page 87

What is Fame !

"The late — the late — but I won't mention the poor fellow's name," said Mr Carnegie at a scientists' supper. "'The late Blank, as he lay on his deathbed, was greeted very joyously one morning by his physician "Poor Blank' 6 eyes lit up with hope at the sight of the physician's beaming face. There had been a consultation on his cabe the day before. Perhaps, at last, th© r«Sl cd X &■ SWB fciS k*d teen fpuad*

1 "' My dear Mr Blank,' said the physi cian. * I congratulate you.' "Blank smiled. "* I shall recover? ' he asked in a weak voice tremulous with hope. '■ ' Well — cr — not exactly,' said the physician. ' But we believe your disease to be entirely new, and if the autopsy demonstrites this to be true we have decided to name the maJady after you.' " Politeness Didn't Fay. He was a country telegraph operator, young but ambitious, and had become enthused over reading a book entitled "Pohte- ( ness as a Guide to Success." i He had reached that portion where it was related how old Bonds, the millionaire, ! had laid the foundation for his immense weath by an act of politeness, when an old woman tapped on the counter Putting the book hastily aside, the young operator, with the career of old Bonds in his mind's eye, hastened to obey the summons. "Young man, if I send a message now. when will it get there?" asked the old woman. "Where is it going, madam?" "Well, it is going to Aunt Jane, if you must know !'' snapped the old woman. "Yes'm ; and where does Aunt Jane live?" asked the operator, resolving to bo I polite at all hazards. "Well-, I never saw such impudence I I suppose you'll be wanting to know if Aunt • Jane is married next ! Well, she is, if that is any satisfaction to you. She has three children, wears glasses, goes regularly to church, and expects to give a dinnerparty for six next week ! Is there anything else that you wish to know, young nianr" "Ye6'm." said the operator, desperately. , "I would like to know where Aunt Jane live*." i "Well, I never ! Why, you miserable i little upstart ! I've a mind to come over j there and spank you ! What's that, young man? Bad language? I shall see that you are reported at once." The doo'- banged, and the operator went wearily back to his 6eat, and, picking op the book he had been reading, threw it out of the window. Fifteen minutes later, when an old man came in and wanted to know what time , the 8.30 train left, the operator heaved the contents of the coalscuttle at him and immediately sent in his resignation. The Tip Came Off. William Maloney was one of those reI markablf* men who think that bookmaker-! exist for the purpose of providing him with urtold wealth Of course, he followed this idea to its logical conclusion, with the inevitable result that most of his property had been turned into ready cash in order that he might indulge in the luxury of "backing his fancy."' Naturally the land lord had to go without his rent, for land-, lords are secondary considerations where , the sport of kings js concerned. j But Maloney knew that his patience was [ nearly exhausted, and recently, when he expected a call from his natural enemy, he left a tiots i "Put a sovereign each way on Disapj pointer, ' read the precious missive; "deduct your rent and pay me the balance. ' , The supreme audacity of the request was staggering, but the landlord was one who . knew how to Teply in kind. "Have a bit on the Broker's Mar**for next week," ho wrote on the back of the note. "And," said Mrs Maloney, raising her apron to her eyes when telling the story. • "that was the only tip I ever knew to come ' off."