Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-07-25

! ing that it was. But he forced out the words
No; believe not
whats to payr half carelessly enquired a
third party, coming up at this moment.
Somebody's lost pocket book was replied.
Indeed! Much money in it'
Its full. See there
And the possessor of the book showed the
folds and edges of large bundle Of bank bills.
Gracious me- What are you going to do
with itr
4 don't know, I'm sure. It's not mine
Whoever lost it ought to have it. But, as
am stranger in the city, and shall leave In an
hour, it will be impossible for me to restore it.
No doubt large reward will be offered Tor its
recovery, in the morning papers. What's to
be done Pm really in quandary'
'You ought to get the reward said the Sc
cond conner. For you are the finder
True replied the man. But can't posi-
bly, remain in the city until tomorrow. 10.
night must see me in New York
Ifyou choose to take it, said the person who
came up last, Il will give you fifty dollars for
your chance in the reward
Fifty dollars was the musing reply. 4
don't know what to say about that The re-
ward will doubtless be two or three hundred.
There can't be less than twenty thousand dol.
lars in the pocket book
Il wouldn't like to risk morc,' was the half.
Indifferent response to this
The possessor Of the pocket book seemed ir-
resolute for some moments.
WELL he at length said, take it. But think
your are driving on me very hard bargain.
The other thrust his hand into his pocket,
and after feeling about there for some moments,
said
chats unfortunate! Eve left my pocket
book at the store. But, come with me, and
III give you the fifty dollars lar.a
Where is your store?' S'SSz<-Z <-r---t,.,' -
'On the wharf,
% dear! No, I'm not going away down
there Then turning to Laban Lee, the stran-
ger said, in the most insinuating manner,
why can't you take it friendf z
'Havn't got fifty dollars replied Lee, his eyes
fairly gloating on the pocket book.
How much have your
'Only thirty
The man shrugged his shoulders, and shook
his head.
You'd better come down to my store, No.
South Wharves. I'll give you fifty dollars.
Or, if you will take our friends thirty dollars,
will make it fifty for him, the moment ne
shows himself at my place OF business
Z suppose will have to do So said the
holder Of the pocket book, in changed, sober,
and rather disappointed voice. But, It is CIV
ing up large advantage for mere trlfe.'
Eagerly L;.ban Lee drew forth his thirty dol
lars, handed it to the man, and grasped the trca.
| sure.
Come down TO No., South Wharyes'
sounded in his ears. A moment after, and ne
stood alone vet so bewlldered that all his ideas
were in whirl Of confusion. Soon calmer
state followed lie crept into his cart, and
there, safe from prying curiosity, opened the
pocket book in order to feast his eyes upon the
sum of twenty thousand dollars, and to debate
the question of restoration.
Alas From whata height Of imagination
down to the very bottom of the pit freality did
Labau Lee soon fall Wrapped around by
three or four one dollars counterfeit bills, was
mass of soiled, crumpled, and blotted strips
oil bank note paper; aud this was all the trea-
sure contained in the pocket book
No wonder that in his bitter disappointment,
the farmer groaned aloud. 1t was some min
utes before even gleam of light broke in up
! IN the darkness that enveloped him. Then he
thought Of the man who had agreed to give ft-
ty dollars for the pocket book. He would 60
to him instantly, and c1ncealins the discovery
he had made, get from him the promised sum-
and thus shift the loss upon another
Of course he did not find the individual he
sought, at No.-South Wharves. He was the
viclim, and this man an accomplice.
Two DAYS afterwards, the Post Master OF
Lees village said to him
'Aha! So the drop game boys have been
trying their hand on YOU.
ID. op game! What do you mean? returned
Lee.
Listen The rost Master drew paper
from his pocket and read. Yesterday farmer
from New Jersey, named Lee, was silly enough
to pay couple of sharpers thirty dollars for a
pocket book which they pretended to have
found. Of course, this Lee doesn't take the
newspapers, or he never could have fallen into
a snare that has been so often exposed We
have little pity for men who are wilfuIly igno'
rant
Laban Lee turned off suddenly and walked
hurriedly away. The next time he went to the
city, he ordered newspaper
| --4-aD->----
~ There is much truth in the following ex
tract from correspondent of the Providence
(R, L) Journal: "Ihere are many thousands o
Al .,,I cola do