The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-10-04

the reward, nOtnlng more.
So the matter rested and | was minus
ten dollars, which l was fully entitled to.
My business in New Orleans ut that
period was of commercial nature, and
which brought me in connection with bu-
siness men. A large commercial house
met with most serious loss. One of the
partners while at the post-ofiice, dropped
his pocket-book containing some fifteen
thousand dollars in notes and checks. A
reward of one thousand dollars was Of
fered for its recovery with its contents
intact. On the morning after the loss l
happened to be in the office. Be it un-
derstood that the advertisement was for
the evening papers, consequently no one
was yet acquainted with the liberal re-
ward offered for honesty. We were speak
ing of the loss, when who should enter
the store but the "Money Finder" He
did not see me, as | was sitting somewhat
back
"Is Mr.. Williams in?" he asked.
"That is my name, sir"
"And this, | presume, is your proper
ty," handing him a pocket-book.
"Ahp' exclaimed Mr.. Williams, open
ing the book. "All right, sir; l thank
you sincerely; but how did you know
Your name, sir, written there, and
other papers"
All, yes Bob" calling the boy,
"run Immediately up to the Bulletin Of
fee, and stop the advertisement Run
quick Now, sir, excuse me, take this
seat" handing him a chair" and 1 will
write you a check for the reward offered"
Reward, sir ? was not aware that
you had offered one."
True"
The young man quietly seated him
self, took up paper, and began to read
There, sir, is the check; it is the
amount offered for the recovery of the
book and its contents don't hesitate"
Hesitate !' exclaimed the recipient,
" [ never hesitate, for this, sir, is my bu-
siness"
Raising his hat gracefully, and twirlipg
gold-headed cane, he went out, whist
ling the same air he did on a previous oc-
casion.
"What did the fellow n?" asked
Mr.. Williams, By its being his BUSINESS =?
He is not pickpocket."
then related my loss, and the return
of the money, and we all come to the
conclusion that it it was really a very
mysterious piece of business.
| frequently met the man, but never
exchanged words with him, as | had seri-
Gus doubts in regard to his mode of find
ing money. And yet if he were a rogue,
why not retain the money? Here lay
the mystery.
One of the most fashionable ladies of
New Orleans, Mrs. Whitney, lost dia-
mond ring valued at fifteen hundred dol
lars. 1t was returned to her by this man,
for which he received one hundred and
fifty dollars. Another lady lost a neck
lace equally valuable, and from the de-
scription she gave Of the person who re-
stored it, it was the same successful find
er. Perhaps I was the only one who no.
ticed the extraordinary coincidence in
this man being the fortunate finder of so
much valuable property. The reason
probably was, that from the moment he
made use of the expression, ait is my
business" [ connected him with subse-
quent cases of similar character.
Can money-finding be made business
If so, howl? Here was man returning
property to its owners, valued at thou
sands, for which he received merely hun
dreds. He certainly was honest, but by
what peculiar process did he arrive at the
result of their carelessness, making it the
source of his means of living? My Gu
riosity was aroused. At the theater, op-
era, and other places of amusement I in
variably met him, he was invariably
alone On the street he walked as if he
had lost something.
On one occasion | met him in the read
ing room Of the St. Charles Hotel TO
my surprise, he was in warm dispute
with several persons upon the subject of
the creUdSSeS, one Of which had but re-
Gently occurred. / soon discovered that
he was not only we'll read but perfectly
conversant with hydraulics and mechan-
les. | remember one remark he made,
|