The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-05-18

they'd have taken different tone. No
I should be looked atas a thief by all the
world.
Then my wife came down stairs, and
with few touches restored a lite or
der and sanity, both to outward matters
and my mind She brought ME some
coffee and an egg and some bread and
butter, and after had eaten and drank
/ didn't feel quite SO bad
Jack" said she, you must go to
London at once and see the directors.
Have the first word and tell them all
about it-all the particulars. 1t is only
a little bit of carelessness, after all. and
perhaps they'll look over it."
"Yes, that's all very well, said. but
how am l to get there? I've got no
money. This wretched party has cleaned
us right out"
Borrow some of Cousins"
He asked me to lend him sovereign
last night, and / couldn't"
Now, you'll say, Here's man with
out resources. Why didn't he pawn his
watch?' To tell you the truth, that's
what i had done the week before, and
the money was all gone Then, under
the circumstances" you'll add "it was
immoral to give a party But you'll
bear in mind, the invitations were sent
out for a fortnight, and then we were in
funds.
well, Jack" said my wife, you
must get the man-the P B-to give YOU
some more money on the watch. Sell
it to him right out. 1t must be worth at
leat ten pounds, for it cost thirty, and
you've only had five upon it. Sell the
ticket"
Yes but where ,0as the ticket? Why,
in the little cash-pocket of my brown
great coat Still, / had heard if you'd
lost ticket you could make the man
give you another; and Brooks, the
pawnbroker, was "a respectable fellow,
who, perhaps, would help me out of my
difficulty. went to him anyhow, on
my way to the station. l felt like tick
et-of leave man as l went into his office
but i put good face upon it.
Brooks" said / chat watch, you
know the ticket-it's stolen" Brooks
gave a most portentious wink. He was
a low speeched man, with red face,
and tremendous corporation.
Nay" he say. my lad; thou'rt wrong
there"
What do you mean?" / said coloring
up furiously. Every one suspected me,
it seemed.
What, it might have been stolen
once, but it arn't now; ave got it here
There is how it were. A cadging sort O
chap comes in, and he says: Master,
what1 you give me for this ere ticket?'
Now, you know the hact don't allow
us to give ought in that kind Of way but
I says TO the chap, Lets have look at
it, and then saw it was yours, and l
said to the man, MY lad, you arn't come
honestly by this"
And you gave him into custody; he's
in prison? Old Brooks, what a capital
fellow you are"
Nay" he said, Il knowed better nor
that: Do you think I'd hexpose Gus
toner? l know you gents don't care
about these little matters getting abroad
so slaps my fist on the counter, and ]
says. Hook it, just like that. And
away he went like lamp-lighter."
/ sank down on the counter oyerpow-
cred with emotion.
"And what's more" went ON Brooks
"he never took up the money I'd lent
him for the coat"
what coat" cried.
"A very nice brown coat he put up
with me. About fit you, should think.
See, here it is" -,
1t was my idential coat, wrapped up
in bundle, and tied around with nv
own handkerchief 1 made dart at it,
opened it, plunged my hand into the
breast-pocket there was the bag of
money-there was the twenty two thous-
and pounds How did 1 go to the bank
that morningi on legs or wings? and
how did / get home as soon as had put
the mouey safe away? Mary knew by
my face it was all right, and didn't we
have dance Of joy all round the house,
My burglar had only been a sort of
sneak, after all, who got in an open win
ow and bolted with the spoils of the hall.
But if he had taken the pains to look
into the pockets Of the coat he'd have
been 2 rich. though perhaps misera-
BILE and insecure man, and l should
have been utterly and deservedly ruined.