The Evening critic., 1882-01-24
THE Losr POCKET. BOOK.
And the Experiences of an Editor
who Found It.


A few days ago, the following appeared
in THE Critic:
EoUND-IN A BOUNDARY CAR ON ELEv-
II enth street, yesterday, by the editor of THE
CRITIC. small portmonnaie, containing few
and describe the contents OF the purse it will be
returned.
The average reader was induced to look
upon the advertisement as hoax, as editors
are not generally so conscientious about
such little matters. But then the average
reader did not know the editor Of THE
Critic. The latter did not know himself
either, six hours after the advertisement
appeared.
He even wished that he were dead, and
more than once repented the honest spirit
that induced him to publicly notify the
owner to come forward and claim the prop
erty. His callers were legion.
First and foremost came q tramp. His
tale of suffering from Washington malaria
and his inability to afford to lose even a
small sum of money would have touched
the heart of an asphalt manufacturer, but
the editor of THE CRITIC was too shrewd
to be gulled by the statement that his caller
was seeking three.dollar bill.
The next applicant was q dark-eyed
woman in widows weeds. She was profuse
in her praise Of the editors thoughtful.
ness, and assured him that she was charmed
to know that her pocketbcok had not fallen
into dishonest hands. She had always
been a subscriber to THE CRITIC, and Just
as soon as the editor handed over her lost
funds she would proceed to renew her sub.
scription. But unfortunately she failed tc
do SO. Her pocketbook was red one. The
one found by the editor was not.
A xx,stI IA, ,1s .
peculiar eruption in his face, was another
applicant. He had been very much incon.
venienced by the loss of the money. g.
had Just been released from the smallpox
hospital when lost it," he said But that
didn't secure the found treasure for him
as the editor had had the smallpox, ani
the young man could not describe the
pock textbook or the money he had lost.
Another caller was stout, clustering fel
low with heavy gold watch and chair
and q patronizing air. "I don't care
snap about the money, old fellow" he said
slapping the editor Familiarity on the
back; 'but, you know, ha ha ha Funny
isn't it ! Pm the treasurer of the poor FUND
in my parish, ha ha! ha! and am sup
posed to make my returns at the meeting
at noon to-day. Sorry to have broken il
so hastily on your meditations, but hav,
only few minutes to spare before attend
ing the meeting. Was too busy to como tt
SEQ you before. Knew you to be honest
though, old fellow, and that the money wa
| just as safe in your hands as mino."
Theeditor thought so, too, and kept il
The description furnished by the treasure
of the parish poor fund did not agree will
the editors find.
There were a host of other applicants VIII
| had lost pocket books of every color of th
| rainbow, containing sums varying from
| bob-tailed car ticket to ten-dollar silve
certificate, which had been lost unde
| various circumstances, but not until thi
morning did the real owner turn up in tn
| person of timid little miss, who modestl
| described the portemonnaie and its content
perfectly, and received it from the edito
| with such genuine thanks that he will
derive much pleasure in rejecting upon tn
| circumstance hereafter.