The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-01-29

would make but little difference, the
doctor said, rs he had at further but two
or three days to live, his worst injuries
being internal.
Days and weeks passed, and Budd,
instead of verifying the DOCTORS pre-
diction, grew rapidly better, and at
length completely recovered. AS soon
as he was able to move about as former
iy, only with the assistance of cane,
the saloon, which had done flourishing
business during his illness, and still
seemed to prosper, was closed, and its
ostensible proprietor left for parts un-
known. The next day Budd was miss
ing, leaving no trace of his destination
but the following letter, which accom-
panied a heavy package addressed to
Shpleton, and left in the express office:
Mr.. RICHARD STAPLEToN, Sr-I am the
person who robbed you some time ago. l have
made good thing out of your money, and
ought TO return you fourfold, and would be
glad to do it, but have an old mother at
will for the deed, and If should ever hear
that you want friend, I'll come over land
and sea to help you. l took $50, 900 from you
you will find 100000 In the box. | don't go
away empty-handed, because from this time
I want to lead a respectable life, and l don't
know how to do it without money to start
with. My mind is now easy on account of
taking your money, because | know that IL
you had put 1t into that wing dam you would
have lost every cent OF it,
"l suppose you would like to know how I
came to take II, and / will tell you. The day
the money was paid to you heard about it,
was In a hard streak of luck then, and though
the boys staked me pretty freely, / couldn't
win bet. / had the blues pretty bad but
Thought If could only raise big stake, l
would come out all right. Then began think
ing about your $50, 900, and as thought about
IL felt as If was drawn by some mysterious
power towards your cabin. 1t was pretty near
midnight when walked out that way, with no
definite purpose in my head, and when | got
near IL felt rs if could not tear myself
away. | fingered around until | saw you
come out with pick and shovel on your shoul-
der, and watched you until / saw you bury
the money and go back into your cabin. Then,
after you had put out your light, l went to
work and dug out the money and filed up the
hole again hid it iu a safe, and then went
home to bed and thought the matter over cool
~. ! saw it wouldn't do to launch out imme-
diatey, and so kept quiet for a while, until
the robbery got to be an old thing, and then l
thought of the plan of getting a friend of mine
that was out of business to act as a blind for
INC, making him believe that didn't want to
open In my own name because had got badly
into debt. thought was playing it pretty
fine but some of the boys suspected me when
] began to put on frills, and if it hadn't been
for the fall got, when you so manfully saved
my life, might have found it advisable to
close up aud leave between two days, without
p1nntiuH any acknowledgements Of
81 don't claim to be any better than the
average run Of gamblers; but never went
back on q man that befriended me, and don't
Know of any man that has more claims on my
gratitude than you have. If l ever have an
opportunity, will show you that | am still
grateful. / leave for the States by the next
steamer, and trust you to take no steps to
prevent me. Should we never meet again,
hope you will be prosperous and happy. Your
grateful friend,
JosEpB BUDD."
Upon opening the box, Dick found its
contents as stated in Budd's letter. The
news of his good fortune quickly spread
and one of its first and most important
effects was to restore him to the favor of
Mr.. and Mrs. Fairbanks, who, having no
longer any reason to oppose his union
with their charming daughter, took an
early opportunity to inform him of the
change in their sentiments, and the
young folks took care that the wedding
should be celebrated before any further
obstacle should interpose to prevent it.
They have been remarkably happy and
fortunate, insomuch that if they were
not dear friends could almost find it
in my heart to envy their bliss. AS for
Budd, he has so well kept his resolution
to lead reputable life, that he is now
sheriff of one of the most populous and
wealthy counties of Illinois, and the
Stapletons are reminded that his graft
tlde is ever fresh by frequent and valu-
able presents from him.
Seeing The Point.