Short Fiction · Chapter
The Chair of Philanthromathematics explained
Jeff Peters recounts his and Andy Tucker's venture into philanthropy after making $25,000 from a silver mine.
What happens
Jeff Peters recounts his and Andy Tucker's venture into philanthropy after making $25,000 from a silver mine. They establish a free university in Floresville, Arizona, hiring professors and attracting students. The scheme proves profitable, and they ultimately split $31,000 each, revealing that the entire enterprise was a graft. Andy reveals that the mysterious Professor McCorkle was actually the faro dealer they had been working with.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The university is a front for a con; the philanthropic appearance masks a profit-making scheme.
Ambition and Failure
The mine owner's failed mansion becomes the site of the university; the scheme ultimately succeeds as a graft, not genuine education.
Humor and Irony
The irony of 'philanthropy' as a business; the absurdity of the university's curriculum and the professors' qualifications.
Characters to notice
- Jeff Peters
Narrator and co-founder of the World's University; recounts the philanthropic scheme.
- Andy Donovan
Co-founder of the World's University; lectures on irrigation and modern music; reveals the faro dealer as Professor McCorkle.
- Unknown Narrator
The listener to whom Jeff tells the story; interjects with questions.
Key passages
“I see that the cause of Education has received the princely gift of more than fifty millions of dollars”
I notice that education has been given a huge donation of over fifty million dollars.
Opening line that prompts Jeff's story about their own philanthropic venture.
“When a man swindles the public out of a certain amount he begins to get scared and wants to return part of it.”
After cheating people out of money, a person often becomes frightened and tries to give some back.
Jeff's cynical observation on the psychology of grafters turning to philanthropy.
“Are you convinced now that philanthropy when practiced in a business way is an art that blesses him who gives as well as him who receives?”
Do you now believe that running philanthropy like a business benefits both the giver and the receiver?
Andy's ironic justification of their scheme after splitting the profits.