The Beggar's Purse: A Fairy Tale of Familiar Finance

A disciplined bachelor in Philadelphia makes his living by strict routines—steady meals, regular work, and a careful budget that keeps his comforts intact. When the war reaches his doorstep, a charismatic “professional beggar” appears, wielding a curious purse that claims to turn modest saving into a kind of white magic. He challenges the man to keep every bill and coin inside the pouch, promising that the mere act will generate enough surplus to buy a War Savings Stamp without sacrificing anything he truly needs.

The wager unfolds during a swift business trip to New York, where the protagonist must rely solely on the mysterious purse’s rules. Its plain exterior hides a tablet and a pencil, and the beggar’s condition is simple: any wasteful withdrawal breaks the spell. As the clock ticks, the story playfully explores the tension between habit and generosity, offering a witty, fairy‑tale take on personal finance and patriotic duty.