Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-08-02
PARISH OF IBERVII,LE LA, AUGUST g. 1851
offs fnll. See there >"

| "Orac!Ous Inc What are you gong TO d'
with it p
81 don't know, I'm sure. It's not mine
Whoever lost it ought to have it, But as
am a stranger in the city, and shall leave in al
hour, it will be impossible for me to restore
it. No doubt large reward will be offered fo
its recovery, in the morning papers. What's
to be done? I'm really in a quandary."
"You ought to get the reward" said the Sc
cond conner. "For you are the finder"
"True," replied the man. "But can't pos
sibly remain in the city until tomorrow. To-
night must see me in New York"
"lf you choose to take it," said the person
who came up last, Il will give you fifty dollars
for your chance in the reward"
"Fitty dollars was the musing reply. 81
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"
| 81 wouldn't like TO risk more" was the half
! Indifferent response to this.
The possessor Of the pocket book seemed
| irresolute for some moments.
"WelI," he at length said, stake it. But
think you are driving on me very hard bar
gain"
The other thrust his hand into his pocket,
and after feeling about there for some mo-
ments, said
''Ihats unfortunate! I've left my pocket
book at the store. But, come with me, and
I'll give you the fifty dollars"
"Where is your store!'
"On the wharf"
20 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 friend!'
"Havn't got fifty dollars" replied Lee, his
eyes fairly loating 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 he
shows himself at my place of business"
Il 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 a large advantage for a mere trife."
Eagerly Leban Lee drew forth his thirty
dollars, handed it to the man, and grasped the
treasure.
"Come down to No.--South Wharves"
sounded in his ears A moment after, and he
stood alone, yet so bewildered that all his ideas
were in whrl of confusion. Soon calmer
state followed. He crept in 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 what height of imagination
down to the very bottom Of the pit of reality
did Leben Lee soon fall. Wrapped around
by three or four one dollar counterfeit bills,
was a mass of soiled, crumpled, and blotted
strips OF bank note paper and this was all the
treasure contained in the pocket book! No
wonder that in his bitter disappointment, the
farmer groaned aloud It was some minutes
before even gleam of light broke in upon the
darkness that envcloped him. Then he thought
of the man who had agreed to give fifty dol
lars for the pocket book. He would 60 to him
and concealing 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
victim. and this man an accompiice.
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"
"Drop game? What do you mean :" return
ed Lee. a
Listen The Post Master drew paper
from his pocket and read. yesterday far
mer from New Jersey, named Lee, was silly
enough to pay couple of sharpers thirty dol
ars for pocket book which they pretended to
have found. Of course, this Lee doesn't take
The newspapers, or he never could have fallen
into snare that has been so often exposed.
We have little pity for men who are wilfulIy
gnorant."
Leban Lee turned off suddenly and walked
away. The next time he went to the |
,ity, he ordered newspaper.