MAN OF DISTINCTION
By MICHAEL SHAARA
Illustrated By DICK FRANCIS
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Science Fiction October 1956.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Being unique is a matter of pride—but being
a complete mathematical impossibility?
The remarkable distinction of Thatcher Blitt did not come to the attention of a bemused world until late in the year 2180. Although Thatcher Blitt was, by the standards of his time, an extremely successful man financially, this was not considered real distinction. Unfortunately for Blitt, it never has been.
The history books do not record the names of the most successful merchants of the past unless they happened by chance to have been connected with famous men of the time. Thus Croesus is remembered largely for his contributions to famous Romans and successful armies. And Haym Solomon, a similarly wealthy man, would have been long forgotten had he not also been a financial mainstay of the American Revolution and consorted with famous, if impoverished, statesmen.