Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-02-05
MIR. sTOUTs LUCK.
How He Lost His Poeket-BOOlK an
F|I1s| u GQH HQafdea

How He Lost His P0ck Book and
FH 326 Besfdes.
Eli Perkins in the New York Commercial
Advertiser.
They are telling this good story TO-
day on Andrew v. Stout, the well-known
president Of the Shoe and Leather bank;
Mr.. Stout is known as shrewd man.
He and Daniel Drew are the main pillars
in the Fifth Avenue Methodist church
aud what he and Daniel don't know up
to this time has not been found out
A few mornings since Mr.. Stout was
coming down in the cars, when he sat IN
such confidential proximity to sympa
thizing pickpocket that the latter was
tempted into the acceptance OF Mr..
Stouts pocket-book, containing valuable
papers and $50 in greenbacks. Then
the pickpocket said good morning to Mr.
Stout and left.
On arriving at the bank Mr.. Stout dis
covered his loss. He was astonlshedl
that he, q shrewd old New Yorker, should
have his pocket picked.
Pshaw" he said to his secretary,
"no man could ever pick my pocket,
I'm too smart for chat" a1
But the pocket-book, with the money
and valuable papers, was gone, and the
next day Mr.. Stout advertised in the
Herald. He said if the person who tooS
his pocket-book would return the papers.
he would give him the money and $50
besides. The next day he got confl-
dental note from party who said q
friend of his had the pocket-book all
safe, and that he would call at the bank
next day to arrange the matter. The
next day the man was at his post. lie
told Mr.. Stout that he would have to go
with him few blocks, where the party
who had the pocket-book awaited them.
So off they started-Mr. Stout and his
honest friend-for Center street res
taurant. AS they entered the restau'
rant. Mr.. Stouts friend told him TO
await in the front room a moment and
he would go inside and see the man who
had the pocket-book. In moment ne
returned with the message the man
wouldn't give up the pocketbook Tor
$25, he wanted $35.
but ! only advertised to give $2o,
said Mr.. Stout, with an eye to business.
!" This is an extortion.
4 "WelI," said Mr.. Stout's friend, IN
20 back and reason with him, and try
and get the pocket-book for twenty-five
dollars" And he disappeared into the
back room. .#.f
In moment he returned, smiling .
"Well, Mr.. Stout" he said, ne will
take twenty-five dollars, but he wants the
money before he gives up the pocket
book.
"All right" said Mr.. Stout blandly;
here is twenty-five dollars. Take it to
him and bring back the papers.
Zone word, Mr.. Stout, said the man
con6dentially; this thing is to be strict
ly between ourselves; You will never
ask any questions, tell anything or seek
further knowledge, will you~
"No, never. ] give you my word as
president of the Shoe and Leather bank,
not to say anything about it.
"All right, then, mum is the word,
said Mr.. Stout's friend, as he passed
into the room with the money.
. Mr.. Stout waited patiently for his re-
turn-waited five, ten, fifteen minutes
but alas his friend never came back
and the shrewd president returned to
the bank sad and a ruined man He
says his friend is welcome to the twenty
FIVE dollars, but he wouldn't have the
story get into the newspapers or around
among his friends for $4,000. He says
it wouldn't be .air, for he promised,
solemnly promised his friend, when he
gave him the twenty-five dollars, not tc
mention the matter.