The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-09-15
THE STORY THAT WAS TOLD
BY the Florid-Faced Man With
Clear-Cut Features and lnnO-
cent-LOOking Eyes.
New York Tribune.

A man with horid face and clear-cut
features, whose eyes had peculiarly in
nocent look iE them, got on an elevated
railroad Car the other day 10 come down
town He became absorbed in the con-
tents OF newspaper, and apparently did
not notice young man sitting near him,
whose eyes seemed riveted upon his
heavy gold waich-chain. After several
stops at the stations the Car became near
|ly empty. The young man suddenly
rose and, crossing over to the old gen.
Ttleman, remarked : 'ss'ss
81 beg your pardon, sir, but is not this
your purse2 l found it in the seat by
your side."
The older man looked at the purse and
then at The young man for full minute.
Then he carefully removed bis glasses,
wiped them with his handkerchief, smiled
to himself and calmly queried:
"And if it was not mine what would
you do with it2
"Why-of course" said the young
felluw slightly coloring, I'D return it to
the owner"
"Oh, yes, see. But, young man. sit
down here for minute and let me tell OF
a scene once Witnessed
| The young man somewhat disconcert.
ed, mechanically obeyed and allowed the
elder one to proceed.
"One day in April, some three years
ago, l was passing through Chsmbers
street on business ereand when / espied
a pair of lady's kid gloves lying upon
the sidewalk. l hurried forward to pick
them up, but was just too ate,as another
person short distance ahead of me se-
cured them. He looked at me in quiz
zical manLer, and when asked him 10
, let me see them be politely assented
But as if fearful of being seen he nudged
me to come into an open doorway where
We could look at our prize with compar.
alive safety. AS / took the gloves from
his hand and pulled them apart, so as to
examine their worth, was surprised to
6nd large, heavy lump of something
tied up in one of the fingers. With
greedy haste communicated to him my
/ discovery, when he suatched the gloves
from my hand and commenced working
the article out of the ineer-hole. In a
few moments be held up to my astonisb
ed view a handsome jeweled ring, which
at the lowest ought to have been worth
$50. expressed my surprise in very
open way and asked him TO let me see it..
This he did and at the same time asked
what l thought it was worth l unhesi.
taiingly gave him my opinion. Then
what bad we better do with it he asked.
l'Why, advertise it iE the papers, sug.
gested, .znd the owner will probably give
US handsome price for returning it.
This be thought was-avery good plan,
but be was then on bis way to the train
ito go out Of the city for month or two
and consequently he would not he able
to receive any OF the money. 'I'll tell
you.' be finally said, sthe owner will at
least give you $40 for returning it. and
il you will give me S5 now l will surren
der the gloves and ring to you. How
does that suit your It's fair, isn't it p
"Well, yes; ! bad to acknowledge it
was,and so without murmuring handed
bim SIS and walked away with the ring
The next two days ! advertised in the
papers for the owner of the ring but no
one came to claim it. On the fourth day
concluded / bad acted honestly in the
matter and was now justified In selling
it / took it to prominent jewelers.
where / knew its true value would be
given. and-what do you think it was
worth ?"
The young man shifted uneasily in his
seat and lodged the smiling eyes of the
speaker.
"Why, it was brass ring worth about
8 cents, and put in the glove by that rss.
cal of swindler. Now, then," contin-
ued the gentleman in severe tone, what
would you do if YOU discovered that
same fellow mp to his old tricks again ?"
"Ah! this is my station i must go.
Good morning" And the young man
with the purse slid gently along the car
and disappeared in the crowd on the plat.
form. The old gentlemen resumed his
reading and chuckled to himself every
now and then.