The Board of Directors of the United Mints of North America
have secured control of sixty blocks in the heart of the
tenement district of New York and will begin at once the
erection of thirty first-class model tenement houses,
costing two million apiece, each building fronting on all
four sides upon a complete city square to be devoted to
public parks for the people and playgrounds for the
children. Can you supply janitors? Answer, collect.
(Signed) SILAS REDDYMUN,
JOHN W. MIDAS,
RUFUS BONDIFELLER.
A year later, while Aladdin and Mr. Bondifeller were returning from the
opening ceremonies of the wonderful new tenements of lower New York in
the latter's motor, the aged financier gave his young friend's hand a
quick and affectionate pressure.
"Duke," said he, his voice trembling with happiness, "you have made me
the happiest man in the world. When I looked out upon the sea of faces
of those tenants of our new houses, as you made your address, and saw
the look of hope in eyes that a year ago were filled with threatening
and despair, it gave me such a thrill as I never had before. Is there
anything else you can suggest wherein a man can use a few more millions
for the benefit of humanity?"
"Yes," said Aladdin. "Now that you have done something for the poor, a
few millions spent for the amelioration of the habits of the rich would
be a great boon."
"And how would you go about it?" asked the old man.
"I don't know, Major," replied Aladdin. "It is a much harder proposition
than the other."
"And meanwhile," said the old man, tremulously, "how can I show my own
gratitude to you personally for all you have done for me?"
Aladdin looked across the car at the fair face of Marjorie Bondifeller,
whose lovely eyes fell as they caught his glance.
"Well," said Aladdin, blushing a rosy red, "you might make me your son."
"Ah, my boy," sighed the Major, as he shook his head sadly, "I am afraid
that is impossible. I don't think your mother would marry a
cross-grained old curmudgeon like me. I've been a widower for so many
years now that I have become set in my ways, and--"
"But there's another way round, ain't there?" cried Aladdin.
And there was, and that is how, my dear children, Marjorie Bondifeller
happened to become the Duchess di Lumiere.