The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-09-28
HENRY A. PARSONS, Jr., Editor and Publisher.

one Of the buttons of his coat, the old
gentleman might conceive he had been
robbed, and John might find himself
suspected and accused. A shiver passed
over bim as he thought Of these things,
and he hastily changed his seat to the
opposite side of the car. A poor and
hungry looking woman, who was sitting
on the other side of the old gentleman,
and had been eagerly watching him
count his wealth, Immediately followed
John Cady.
When the old gentleman finished
counting his notes, he took a small
memorandum book from his pocket and
made note of something, probably the
sum total. Then he put the book back
in its place, and few minutes later he
crammed the pocketbook in his pocket
and called in haste for the car to stop, as
he had passed his street. He left the
car, followed by the hungry looking
woman, and John Cady was the only pas
senger left. He watched the old man
across the street until he was lost to
view, amid the crowded pavement, and
then settled himself for another effort at
castle building, when his eyes were at
tracted by something lying in the straw
beneath where the old gentleman had
been sitting.
Johns heart almost leaped into his
mouth he trembled from head to foot
with agitation, and he felt momentary
faintness. 1t was the old gentleman's
pocketbook. John Cady give a quick
look at the conductor. He was gazing
in another direction, and, with a rapid
snatch the precious wallet was in Johns
possession. A hundred thoughts passed
through his mind in rapid succession.
What should he do with it Should he
give it up to the conductor Should he
call policeman Should he keep it and
tised, and then obtain thereward! While
these thoughts passed through his mind
sudden impulse seized him to get out,
and he sprung from the car.
"Perhaps can find the old gentle
man," he thought, and he forthwith
dashed along the street. Pedestrians
looked at hin as he flew on his way,
and no doubt thought he was crazy or
in hurry. Far and wide his eyes wan
dered to discover the owner of the
pocketbook, but the old man was no.
where in sight. After half-hour's s
fruitless search he happened to cast his
eyes across the street, and perceived
the old gentleman standing on the pave
ment examining his pockets, while his
face exhibited much dismay. He had
discovered his loss.
81 found it-I found It'll" cried John.
as he dashed up to the old man and ex-
tended his treasure.
For moment neither spoke. 1t was
a strange picture, the old man holding
his recovered pocketbook, and John
Cady, all eagerness and out of breath,
from the haste in which he had been
running. The old fellow at length
opened his arms, and John fell plump
into them. The embrace was short,
however, for the old gentleman immedi-
ately began to count his notes. When
he had satisfied himself they were all
correct, he spoke
Worthy young man |" he exclaimed.
"Honest youth-permit me and he
grasped handful of notes. Then he
paused, as if new idea had struck
him. "No," he calculated, "honesty
like this can never be rewarded by few
dollars. l can never repay you. Such
conduct as yours is not to be measured
| NV bndll hSNSI lOlBSt yOu.
Here, "and he presented his card, 'come
and see me tomorrow at three o'clock.
| Sharp three, remember er-I'm precise.
Adieu, noble youth, adieu;" and the old
fellow turned away to hide the emotion
which was choking his utterance.
John Cady gazed at the card. 1t was
inscribed Phineas Parsons, N street,
G. town.
1t was quite clear to John Cady that
his fortune was made. Here was an old
gentleman evidently of great wealth, tc
whom he has restored large amount OF
money. The old man was grateful
there was no mistake about that, for was
he not on the point of giving him 8
handful of notes by way of reward? He
WAS going to do better, no doubt. He
had given him his card and invited him
to his house. "Come and see me TO-
morrow" these words rang in Johns
ears, and he could think of nothing else
He didn't go and see his aunt that day
he couldn't. His heart was too full o.
unutterable joy for commonplace visit
to relative. He turned back to the
city, and went to a cheap restaurant tc
get his dinner. He hadn't much appe
tite, however, and he soon was at hi
castle building again. No. it wasn'
castle building this time, it was some
thing tangible. The card of Phineal
Parsons told him it was tangible.
"He means to make friend of me,
murmured John. "He1l introduce m,
to his family--to his daughter-ah
that's it. I'm sure that's what h'
meant. He wishes me for a son-in-law
His daughter must be beautiful-anl
her name-her name-is May. 1 have
10 doubt of it. 1 always loved the namt
of May. May Parsons What charm
ing name. The old gentleman will join
our hands together and say: "Tak'
her, oh, noble youth She is thine !"
John Cady went straight to his hom'
and took twelve dollars from the spo
where he had hidden it. He then wen
to clothing store and purchased him
self new coat and vest. All the even
ing he paraded before his little cracked
looking glass, and wondered how Ma,
Parsons would like his appearance. H'
slept poorly that night, and awoke a
least a dozen times and wondered if i
was morning.
He dreamed that he owned a larg;
mandatory; had hundreds of hands il
his employ; that he lived in a splendit
mansion surrounded by every luxury
that May always stood in the magniti
cent saloon to welcome him on his re
turn from his business. He dreamed
that he had been elected mayor OF tn
city; that he had been elected to Con
gress; that they wanted to make him