The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-03-29
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.

The boy stopped down at his sisters
request. = 49,:
II declare, Lily, it's a roll of notes.
Oh, what find?" cried Jack, regardless
ofgrammar in his excitment.
"But what q loss TO some unfortunate
person! Let us wait awhile, and observe
nany one is searching for them!"
Hush, Lily, or some passer-by, who
has no right to the money, may over
hear you and claim it. But the real
owner will 60 right off and advertise his
loss. You're five years my senior, and
very book learned, els, but know the
world far better than you do. especially
this great world of New York. Why,
it wouldn't be safe to 20 to the nearest
1amp-post and count the money, or I'd
aiko so!''
80 the young. philosopher Of tiftee9,
put that "hnd'' in his vest-pocket, and
buttoned up his coat over it..
Lillian Huntley was music-teacher,
and two afternoons each week gave les
sons to a young girl who had no other
spare inc. It was some distance from
Lillian's own home, and Jack, who was
employed in an office, always called for
her upon these occasions, very proud to
be his sisters escort.
How late you are, my dear children!
feared something had happened to
you," said Mrs. Huntley, who was peer
ing out into the November dusk.
"We'rc all right" replied her son.
*'though we met with u happening. But
come within, mother dear, and lock the
door. Then sit down and count these
notes."
She counted them, Lillian and Jack
looking on eagerly.
'Three bills of one hundred dollars,
two fifties, and ten Of ten dollars each
i've hundred dollars!"
1T was Lily's luck, mother"
II don't know that it is such great
luck. The owner is sure to advertise his
loss."
"Well, he can't offer less than fifty for
q reward, and that is something,
mother"
Indeed it is, dear; and you must
look in the papers early tomorrow
morning, But do not name this to any
one; for in poor tenement-house, such
as ours, we know not what evil-minded
persons may be under our very roof"
And all that evening, how they won.
dered who the luckless individual could
, be, and what were his or her sensations
at that moment!
For three following days the columns
of Lost and Found" were searched in
several papers in vain.
1t may be some one very, very poor
in consequence" said Mrs. Huntley,
'sthis sum being their entire savings:
therefore let us ADVERTISE"
So few lines were Of avn up to this
effect:
TOUND-ON THE EVENING ONO.
Il VEMBER-,a sum ofmoney, which
the owner can receive by giving full descrip-
ton and paying expenses.
But days and weeks and months
passed over, and no application was
made through the office or the paper.
Yet Lillian and her mother gratefully
blessed that loser, for upon one occasion
Mrs. Huntley had "a severe spell of sick
ness-the little funds were low, and a
small sum was borrowed from that store.
Then Jack required an entire new suit;
and lastly, by that means, they were en-
abled to take small house in a better
neighborhood, merely renting two
rooms to a respectable young couple.
Yet each time the money was honor
Four months went by, when, one April
evening, Lillian was returning from one
of those weekly music-lessons, arm-in-
arm with her brother.
They always exchanged silent pres
sure OF the hands upon reaching that
well-remembered spot.
Two young gentlemen were in CONVEX
sation.
II ought to know this place." said one,
<'for it was here lost five hundred dol
lars, having shortly Before received that
amount, and never missed it until next
morning, when many league out at
sea-"
"But how do you know this was tho
1.-THE notes were in my hand, and
while pausing to count the strokes of a
church clock, which proved to he six,
thrust them Gas believeD into the
breast-pocket of my Overcoat. You
know the circumstances under which !
was going; and, moreover, my passage
was taken and baggage on board. To
be in time war my chief thought. only
hope that money fell into the hands of
some deserving person."
"Pray remember this is not Arcade.
Gotham; 80 more probably some lOafer
picked it up, made for the nearest sa-
loon, there got drunk was robbed, and
going home, beat his wife and children.
But must leave you now, Mr.. Graham.
Will call tomorrow morning at nine,
without fail"
ooh, JackW "Oh, Lilyl" had been
whispered by the brother and sister, in
the shadow Of neighboring gateway.
"Call to him, Jack or he will be out of
sightr'
And Jack not only called, but seized
the strangers arm.
''Sir, STRIP he cried, "your money was
not lost; my sister here found it'll"
els it possible that such rare honesty
exists?"
eff you come with us, sir, to our
mothers home" said Lillian, "yOu shall
be convinced that in our case such
thing was possible!"
Pardon my abruptness," returned
Allan Graham. II have only to look at
your countenances to see my error"
He did not know whether to admire
most the loneliness Of the young girl or
the pride with which she had spoken.
And Lillian, fearing she had said too
much, remained silent. so the CONVEX
sation was carried on between Jack and
their strangely-encountered acQuaint-
ance. = W.. .|-s.:a
Mrs. Huntley was upon the wr.ch for
them as usual, for the daily incidents
seldom varied in that quiet family. But
as Jack introduced their visitor, she; in
turn, was surprised; then quickly UNI
locking the desk, laid the notes before
hic. nr. Graham never counted that
money. but asked Mrs. Huntley to re-
place it saying he would prefer not to
:ake it that evening. -.
He then told them that about 1sak time
the money was lost he received q letter
3 from his sister, who resided inEngland,
imploring him to come to her immedi-
ately. Her husband had Eeen thrown
from his horse aD4 killed, and between
her deep grief for his loss, and the ter