The Gentle Grafter by O. Henry
page 88 of 172 (51%)
page 88 of 172 (51%)
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non-illegal style of business such as we are carrying on now. When I
take money I want to leave some tangible object in the other fellow's hands for him to gaze at and to distract his attention from my spoor, even if it's only a Komical Kuss Trick Finger Ring for Squirting Perfume in a Friend's Eye. But if you've got a fresh idea, Andy,' says I, 'let's have a look at it. I'm not so wedded to petty graft that I would refuse something better in the way of a subsidy.' "'I was thinking,' says Andy, 'of a little hunt without horn, hound or camera among the great herd of the Midas Americanus, commonly known as the Pittsburg millionaires.' "'In New York?' I asks. "'No, sir,' says Andy, 'in Pittsburg. That's their habitat. They don't like New York. They go there now and then just because it's expected of 'em.' "'A Pittsburg millionaire in New York is like a fly in a cup of hot coffee--he attracts attention and comment, but he don't enjoy it. New York ridicules him for "blowing" so much money in that town of sneaks and snobs, and sneers. The truth is, he don't spend anything while he is there. I saw a memorandum of expenses for a ten days trip to Bunkum Town made by a Pittsburg man worth $15,000,000 once. Here's the way he set it down: R. R. fare to and from . . . . . . . . $ 21 00 Cab fare to and from hotel . . . . . . 2 00 Hotel bill @ $5 per day . . . . . . . 50 00 |
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