<SPAN name="XLVI"></SPAN>
<h1 align="center" style="margin-top: 2em;font-variant: small-caps">Chapter XLVI</h1>
<h2 align="center" style="margin-top: 2em;font-variant: small-caps">The Wise Disposition of a Fortune</h2>
<p>In one of their confidential talks, Selwyn told Dru
that he had a fortune in excess of two hundred million
dollars, and that while it was his intention to amply
provide for his immediate family, and for those of
his friends who were in need, he desired to use the
balance of his money in the best way he could devise
to help his fellowmen.</p>
<p>He could give for this purpose, he said, two hundred
million dollars or more, for he did not want to provide
for his children further than to ensure their entire
comfort, and to permit them to live on a scale not
measurably different from what they had been accustomed.</p>
<p>He had never lived in the extravagant manner that
was usual in men of his wealth, and his children had
been taught to expect only a moderate fortune at his
death. He was too wise a man not to know that one of
the greatest burdens that wealth imposed, was the
saving of one’s children from its contaminations.
He taught his sons that they were seriously handicapped
by their expectations of even moderate wealth, and
that unless they were alert and vigilant and of good
habits, the boy who was working his own way upward
would soon outstrip them. They were taught that they
themselves, were the natural objects of pity and parental
concern, and not their seemingly less fortunate brothers.</p>
<p>“Look among those whose parents have wealth
and have given of it lavishly to their children,”
he said, “and count how few are valuable members
of society or hold the respect of their fellows.</p>
<p>“On the other hand, look at the successful in
every vocation of life, and note how many have literally
dug their way to success.”</p>
<p>The more Dru saw of Selwyn, the better he liked him,
and knowing the inner man, as he then did, the more
did he marvel at his career. He and Selwyn talked
long and earnestly over the proper disposition of his
fortune. They both knew that it was hard to give wisely
and without doing more harm than good. Even in providing
for his friends, Selwyn was none too sure that he
was conferring benefits upon them. Most of them were
useful though struggling members of society, but should
competency come to them, he wondered how many would
continue as such. There was one, the learned head
of a comparatively new educational institution, with
great resources ultimately behind it. This man was
building it on a sure and splendid foundation, in
the hope that countless generations of youth would
have cause to be grateful for the sagacious energy
he was expending in their behalf.</p>
<p>He had, Selwyn knew, the wanderlust to a large degree,
and the millionaire wondered whether, when this useful
educator’s slender income was augmented by the
generous annuity he had planned to give him, he would
continue his beneficent work or become a dweller in
arabs’ tents.</p>
<p>In the plenitude of his wealth and generosity, he
had another in mind to share his largess. He was the
orphaned son of an old and valued friend. He had helped
the lad over some rough places, but had been careful
not to do enough to slacken the boy’s own endeavor.
The young man had graduated from one of the best universities,
and afterwards at a medical school that was worthy
the name. He was, at the time Selwyn was planning
the disposition of his wealth, about thirty years old,
and was doing valuable laboratory work in one of the
great research institutions. Gifted with superb health,
and a keen analytical mind, he seemed to have it in
him to go far in his profession, and perhaps be of
untold benefit to mankind.</p>
<p>But Selwyn had noticed an indolent streak in the young
scientist, and he wondered whether here again he was
doing the fair and right thing by placing it within
his power to lead a life of comparative ease and uselessness.
Consequently, Selwyn moved cautiously in the matter
of the distribution of his great wealth, and invoked
Dru’s aid. It was Dru’s supernormal intellect,
tireless energy, and splendid constructive ability
that appealed to him, and he not only admired the Administrator
above all men, but he had come to love him as a son.
Dru was the only person with whom Selwyn had ever
been in touch whose advice he valued above his own
judgment. Therefore when the young Administrator suggested
a definite plan of scientific giving, Selwyn gave it
respectful attention at first, and afterwards his
enthusiastic approval.</p>
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