People: Dec. 16, 1985

When Abie Nathan heard that two masked gunmen had stolen $7,000 from St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, the visiting Israeli pacifist and philanthropist immediately offered to replace the money. After news of his gift broke, Nathan discovered that a good deed, even in New York, does not go unrewarded. "The manager of my hotel dragged me out of my room and told me I was going to have their best suite," he recounts. Later a cabbie told him that the ride was free. "Imagine!" exclaimed Nathan. "A New York cabdriver."

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