Page:In defense of Harriet Shelley, and other essays.djvu/157

 MENTAL TELEGRAPHY AGAIN

and that New York clubs were a continuous expense to the country members without being of frequent use or benefit to them.

&quot;And now I ve got an idea!&quot; said I. &quot;There s the Lotos the first New York club I was ever a member of my very earliest love in that line. I have been a member of it for considerably more than twenty years, yet have seldom had a chance to look in and see the boys. They turn gray and grow old while I am not watching. And my dues go on. I am going to Hartford this afternoon for a day or two, but as soon as I get back I will go to John Elderkin very privately and say: Remember the veteran and confer distinction upon him, for the sake of old times. Make me an honorary member and abolish the tax. If you haven t any such thing as honorary membership, all the better create it for my honor and glory. That would be a great thing; I will go to John Elderkin as soon as I get back from Hartford.&quot;

I took the last express that afternoon, first tele graphing Mr. F. G. Whit more to come ,nd see me next day. When he came he asked :

&quot;Did you get a letter from Mr. John Elderkin, secretary of the Lotos Club, before you left New York?&quot;

&quot;No.&quot;

&quot;Then it just missed you. If I had known you were coming I would have kept it. It is beautiful, and will make you proud. The Board of Directors, by unanimous vote, have made your a life member, and squelched those dues; and you are to be on hand

�� �