Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-29
ICON tinusd from first page.l

enough lett 10 i've upon Win Nnal eau
make"
At his earnest request l accompanied
him to Liverpool and saw him safely on
board his ship.
When taking leave his eyes filed with
tears and his voice faltered with emotion.
''God bless YOU, sir" he said, pressing
my hand. "and may He reward you for
your charity in looking after these poor
children !"
And he brushed his eyes with his horny
hand, and turned away. Then pnlliug
himself together, as with an effort. he said ::
Excuse me. sir. for being such fool,
but Pm only poor ignorant man. and no
scollard. he added with sob which fair
" choked him. "I'll see you soon, sir !;
you'll find I'll come back again like bad
shilling.
| could not trust myself to speak, but
wrung his hand and lett the ship.
When | reached the shore looked back,
and saw him standing at the ships side,
the wind blowing about his long gray hair
while he waved me last farewell.
The events have mentioned took place
many years ago, but no word has reached
me of Knott since then, although | have
made inquiries concerning him in all the
principal cities in Australia. Perhaps he
may return some day Unexpectedly as
hope he will. and. be rejoiced. As
l have been, at the fruits of his dsnter-
ested charity. BY means of it forty child
rem have already been rescued from the
influence of vice and lniamy, apprenticed
to trades, or sent into service according TO
sex. Ten OF them have been sent out to
New South Wales, and are prospecting.
The eccentricity OF my second eceen
trio depositor, was of quite different
kind. This is the story;
Outside the portal OF the bank, COM
missionary, named Copp, has for many
years taken up his position. He is not in
the service OF the bank, but being man
of tried probity and trustworthness, his
right to the station is tacitly admitted.
He is an old soldier, and has served with
distinction in many glorious battles, as the
numerous medals, which he proudly dis
plays upon his breast, bear witness. lie
has been a sergeant-maj or, and COMFORTS
himself with suitable dignity. Upon
many occasions on busy days, he has
been intrusted with missions OF delcacy
and responsibility, and has always fulfilled
them with tact and exactitude.
One morning was waiting at my desk
for the arrival of our early customers,
when | saw Copp advancing to me with
his military step, and with even more
than his customary dignity. He held in
his hand dirty canvass bag, which he
placed on my desk.
"Well. Copp," said, whose account
is this for ?"
He stood at attention, and after salut-
ing:
f''This bag, sir, was placed in my hands
an hour ago by a man who asked me to
take care Of it till he came back. Think
ing, perhaps, he was customer OF the
bank, took charge of it, and as he hasn't
come back. / thought | had better bring
it to you, sir, as it seems to contain
money"
opened the bag and found It contained
seven hundred and fifty pounds in bank
notes and gold; but there was no indca.
ton of the person to whom it belonged,
either written upon paper. as is custo-
mary, or upon the backs Of the notes.
Copp seeing my surprise added:
II beg pardon. sir, bat | may as well
tell you, that the party who handed me
the bag was decidedly inebriated in fact
sir, might say drunk He could scarcely
stand, and didn't seem able to speak"
Every WELL" | replied, ''you may
leave it with me, and when the man
comes, bring him in here"
Eyes. sir" said Copp. who saluted and
retired.
put the bag on one side. fully expect
ing that the owner would soon call aud
claim 1t. At the end of the day. however
nobody had called, although Copp had
kept sharp lookout at the door. was
much surprised at this, and put by the
money. The next day and the next
passed by, and still no claimant appeared.
/ interrogated Copp as to the description
of the man. He said he was short,
thick-set man, with dark hair and whis-
kers, but no moustache. He wore black
coat very seedy looking, and his face and
hands and shirt were very dirty; ''looked
as though he had been ON the loose, sir"
he added.
At the expiration of another week, !
inserted advertisements in all the princi-
pal daily papers, stating that a bag con-
tanning sum OF money had been found.
and inviting the owner to claim it, and
specify the contents. No satisfactory
answers were received to tho advertise
ment, and the question remained, What
was to be done with the money! We
could not place it to my account in the
bank, and we could not enter an account
In an unknown name. The manager was
Of the opinion that, as the money had
been left in the hands of Sergeant Copp,
who was not an official OF the bank, and
besides, who was standing 10 the street at
the time. there was no evidence of its
having been intended to be lodged in the
bank, and therefore it should be handed
ever TO the commissionare.
Concluded Saturday,