SEEING A MILLIONAIRE

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue II, 11 January 1896, Page 48

SEEING A MILLIONAIRE

I was standing in front of the office of a well known New York millionaire when a man wearing very seedy clothes stopped to ask me the exact location of the aforesaid office. * Yon don’t expect to see him personally ?’ I asked, sizing the fellow up for a dead beat. * Of course, I do,’ he replied with great confidence. ‘ Then you must have very important business ?* * My business is to strike him for 85.’ ‘ Then yon won’t get to see him.’ ‘Won’t I? Yon just hang around here for ten minntes and I’ll be down and report.’ He walked into the building and entered the elevator, and I lounged around and waited. He was gone about ten minutes, and the look on his face was a mixture of triumph and sorrow as he got out of the elevator. ‘ Well, did yon see him ’’ I asked. ‘ Cert.’ he replied. * How did you manage it ’’ * Sent him in word that I owed him 810 on an old account, and was admitted to his august presence inside of five minutes. Then I explained that I had resorted to strategy and proffered my request.' ‘ Yes.' * He rang a bell and had two men conduct me to the door and give me the boot. I told you I’d get to see him, and I did, didn’t I ?’ * Yes, but it did you no good.’ * No, not in this case, but the idea is original with me, and now that I know how it works I’m all O. K. Excuse me, my friend, bnt I’m in a hurry. I’m going to call on Russell Sage, George Gould, Vanderbilt and Astor this afternoon, and have to be moving along. Ten dollars—old account—private interview—Ta t*!’