Van Tenner managed to free the pencil and slip the purse back into his pocket with a relieved sigh. As the train chugged out of the station, he settled into his seat and allowed his thoughts to drift. The events of the morning had unsettled him, and he found himself contemplating the curious challenge laid before him by the beggar.

The idea of saving money without consciously doing so intrigued him. Could a simple wallet with a cryptic phrase truly influence his spending habits? He was both amused and skeptical. Nevertheless, he decided to humor the strange experiment and see where it led him.

Hours passed as the train made its way towards New York. Van Tenner spent the journey in quiet contemplation, occasionally glancing at the beggar's purse resting in his pocket. The day coach was comfortable enough, and he felt a sense of satisfaction at the thought of potentially saving enough money for two War Savings Stamps.

As the train pulled into Penn Station, Van Tenner's mind was filled with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. What other choices would the beggar's purse influence during his brief stay in the city? With a wry smile, he stepped off the train, ready to embark on his New York excursion with a newfound sense of adventure and thriftiness.“Oh, that’s it!” said he, enlightened, and proceeded to make the following entries of cash saved, on the magic tablet:  

Station porter Parlor car $0.55  
Pullman porter .15  

Hardly had he settled in his place when he heard a familiar voice behind him. He turned. It was Welland, a near neighbor to his apartment. Welland was in the automobile business, from which he was reputed to draw from twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars a year in commissions. It was a surprise to E. Van Tenner to find so glossily prosperous a person, with a reputation as a free spender, in the day coach. He mentioned his surprise.  

“War, my dear sir, war,” said Welland. “This nation is at war. I haven’t ridden in a parlor car since last summer.”  
“Economy?”  
“Principle.”  
“I see no principle involved except economy.”  
“Don’t you? The fewer heavy parlor cars the less demand on coal and rolling stock. Here I am, unable to get my normal supply of automobiles from the factory, because the railroads can’t handle them. And, mind you, they’re a necessity. They relieve the strain of suburban railway traffic. Men in every other line of necessary business are up against the same thing. So I’m doing my part to relieve the situation by riding in a light 

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