The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-03-29
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.


FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
ooh, stop, Jack! There is something
beneath my feet. A glove, perhaps.
Look for it, dear!''
The boy stopped down at his sisters
request.
II declare. Lily, it'sa roll of notes.
Oh, what find?" cried Jack, regardless
of grammar in his excitment.
but what loss to some unfortunate
personl Let US wait awhile, and observe
If any one issearching 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 go right off and advertise his
loss. You're five years my senior, and
very book learned, sis, but l know the
world far better than you do. especially
this great world of New York. Why,
it wouldn't be safe to 90 to the nearest
'amp-post and count the money, or I'd
like TOP
So the young philosopher Of fifteen
put that "find' in his vest-pocket, and
buttoned up his coat over it.
Lillian Huntley was a music-teacher.
and two afternoons each week gave les
sons to young girl who had no other
spare Il ne. 1t 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.
Were all right" replied her son.
Though we met with 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.
"rhree bills of one hundred dollars,
two tifties, and ten of ten dollars each
five hundred dollars!"
ut was Lily's luck, mother"
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
a 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 u poor teneuent-house, such
as ours, we know not What evil-minded
persons may be under our very roof"
And all lat 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. verv DOOR
in consequence" said Mrs. Hunlley,
"this sum being their entire savings;
therefore let us advertise"
SO few lines were dr. avn up to this
effect:
TOUND-ON THE EVENING OFNO.
L VEMBER-, sum OF mo ey, which
the owner can receive by giving full descrip-
ton and paving 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 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;
abled to take 4 small house in a better
neighbOrhood, merely renting two
rooms to a respectable young couple.
Yet each time the money was honor
ablyfeturned into safe]y-locked desk.
Eour 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 a 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 live hundred dol
lars, having shortly before received that
amount, and never lDisse. it until next
morning, when many q league out at
sea-"
"But how do you know this was the
Identical spot?" inquired his companion.
1.-The notes were in my hand, and
while pausing to count the strokes of q
church clock, which proved to he ak, l
thrust them las l 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. 10
be in time was my chief thought. only
hope that money fell into the hands Of
some deserving person."
"Pray 7'Smember this is not Arcadia.
Gotham; 30 more probably some loafer
picked it up, made for the nearest ga
loon, there got drunk was robbed. and
going home, beat his wife and children.
But must leave you now, Mr.. Graham.
WiIl call tomorrow morning at nine,
ooh, Jack!' "Ob, Lilyl' had been
whispered by the brother and sister, in
the shadow Of q neighboring gateway.
Call to him, Jack or he will be out of
sightv'
And Jack not only called, but seized
the strangers arm.
'Sir, sir!" be cried, "your money was
not lost; my sister here found It'll"
"ls it possible that such rare honesty
exists?"
= ''lt you come with us, sir, to our
mothers home," said Lillian, 'you shall
be convinced that in our case such q
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 loveliness Of the young girl or
the pride with which she had spoken.
And Lillian, fearing she had said too
much, remained silent. 60 the CONVEX
sation was carried on between Jack and
their strangely-encounter acouaint-
ance.
Mrs. Huntley was upon the wuxch for
them as usual, for the daily incidents
seldom varied in that -iaiet family. But
as Jack introduced their visitor, she; in
turn, was surpi ,sed; then quickly un-
locking th< desk, laid the notes before
hic:. 11r. Graham never counted that
money, but asked Mrs. Huntley to re-
place it saying he would prefer not to
cake it that evening.
He then told them that about E,e time
the money was lost he received letter
from his sister, who resided inEnglan,d
ately. Her husband had Teen thrown
from his horse aKs killed, and between
her deep grief for his loss, and the ter
riblo shock she h d sustained, was utter.
.ly Frustrated.
He found the Door. brOken-hearted