Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/142

 The postman gratefully accepted, and with his two assistants, retired.

"That's bribery," said Blake, severely, "and will add considerably to your sentence." "No, it is merely acting on the text 'the labourer is worthy of his hire.' Besides, if generous tips are to be earned, these men won't complain of the extra work. Now, Blake, what do you propose we should do? Engage a selection committee, and set them at the work of opening these communications?"

"I think not. Too much publicity; too little efficiency. The task is less formidable than it seems. I'll sit down at this table, and cut open letter after letter. A mere glance at each will show whether anything original is put forward. I imagine that the bulk of this correspondence can be classified in the 'begging letter' category, with which a capacious waste-paper basket may deal."

Blake picked up one of the letters, tore it open, scrutinised it for a moment, and tossed it aside.

"There you have it," he said. "If you place at the disposal of the writer the amount you wish to expendhe will distribute it among the deserving, after making personal investigation of their worth.