The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-04-29
AN ABSENT-MINDED MAN.
He Couldn't Take Care of . Package
Containing 3 Good Deal of Money.

The other day as was on my way to
Buffalo over the Great Western, and
while occupying seat in the smoking
car for few minutes, found a paper
parcel kicking around under my feet. 1t
was but natural that / should pick it up
and make an examination, especially as
the only other man in the car sat at the
far end. What was my horror when 1
came to unroll the paper to find pack
age of greenbacks marked $1,000 star
ing me in the face! 1t quite took my
breath away and sent cold shivers up
and down my spine.
1t was my money. Ihad found it and
| would keep it. But what on earth
could do with $5, 900? 1t was too much
for poor man and not enough for a
rich one. 1t wasn't enough to skip the
country on, and vet too much for a poor
man 10 have in bank. l was wonder
ing if it wouldn't be best to put $500 in
my pocket and throw $4,000 out of the
window, when third man made his
appearance in the car. He spoke to the
man at the end, and then came saunter-
ing up to me and carelessly inquired:
Haven't found paper parcel con-
tanning 5000. have you?"
"Why, yes, l picked it up off the floor
two minutes ago"
20, you didP was sitting here. and
/ suppose the burned thing worked out
of my overcoat pocket. That's three
times I've lost that Internal package
since l left Chicago. Allow me to pre-
sent you with $50 bill for your hon.
esty."
20, no! no. am not honest. l should
have walked off with the whole boodler
"Weli. shouldn't have blamed you.
In your place I'd have had this money
in my bootlegs long ago. Say, come back
into the coach and have a sip of wine
and a chat with me-"
We went into the parlor-car, and he
produced a flask and proved himself a
whole-souled, good-natured fellow. We
had been conversing for half an hour,
when the conductor came along with
that same paper parcel, containing that
same $1,000, and said to my friend:
Hang it! Why can't you take care
of this money? What's the use of leav-
ing it lying around m this manner?"
Il declare, but believe l did lay it
down on the seat over there when | was
unlocking my travelling bag. told my
brother I'd lose the Internal thing before
| got to Buffalo, but he has an idea that
express companies are not safe.
When the conductor had gone this
absent-minded man turned to ME with a
pleading look on his face, and said:
My dear sir, please take care of this
money for me until we reach Buffalo"
But Pm stranger to you"
That's nothing. / shall certainly
lose it on the train. Come, now, be a
good fellow"
took it to oblige him. At Niagara
Falls he got off to secure a view, and
when the train started up he was left
behind. Before reaching Buffalo he
telegraphed me:
Am very sorry to trouble you, but
hope you will wait in the station until l
arrive"
And waited in the Buffalo station six
long hours before he calmly slouched in
and said:
III I'd been you I'd have gone OFF
with the money, and perhaps taken the
baggage with it You don't know how
grateful am, and l want you to accept
this diamond pin as token of my es-
teem."
Il shall lose it within a week if you
don't take it, he protested.
When he was ready to go l put the
money in his overcoat pocket. fastened
it with pins, and he went away, saying:
If 1 don't leave the overcoat some
where Pm all right. Farewell, fellow
traveler-farewell." ."-DetrOa Free Press.