Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-05-16
HENRY HARRIS'S REWARD.

Henry Harris was rewarded. 1t was
only proper that he should be. He had
by considerable work, at great incon-
venience to himself, rendered Mrs
Loring Blake a service. Moreover, he
had at the same time demonstrated the
fact that he was thoroughly honest
Now be it known that there was a
vast difference between the two; Henry
Harris was a clerk in Cloth and Com
pany's dry goods store, while Mrs. Lor-
ing Blake was the wife of the Hon. Lor-
ing Blake, proprietor of Blake's mills.
In point of fact, she was considered
thoroughly aristocratic. and being such.
of course rode in barouche and wore
diamonds. These gems were her
especial delight, and thereby hangs a
tale.
One day the barouche OF hirs Loring
Blake drew up in front OF Cloth and
Company's store. Mrs. Loring Blake, by
the aid of footman, alighiing there
from, it was evident that she intended
to make some purchases That, to Cloth
and Company, was very important
fact, for wheresovver traded Mrs Loring
Blake, there traded the numerous lesser
lights Of Mayville.
Mr.. Button, a member of the firm,
hastened forward to greet the distin-
guished visitor. Undoubtedly Mr.. Cloth
would have done likewise if lie could,
lu6 that was impossible. as he was
dead.
She remained quite time, but finally
completed her purchases, and having
done SO, departed in as stately manner
as she had arrived.
That night it showed. do not know
that there is any thing remarkable in the
fact but as it has direct bearin upon
this story it is necessary to mention it
The next day there was commotion
in Cloth and Company's store. One of
Mrs. Loring Blakc's servants approached
MIR. Button and gave forth startling
news The day before, while shopping,
his mistress had lost diamond pin val
ued at 81 900. AS no trace Of it had
bsen found in her barouche. she had ar
rived, after due delIbcratIon, at the con-
clusion that she must have lost it in
Cloth and Company's store; had MIR. But
ton seen or heard anything of it, aud
il he had not, would he be kind enough
to make some effort to discover il. The
owner would be only TOO glad toreward
the lucky finder.
MIR. Button deeply regretted the fact.
but truth compellei him to admit that
he had no idea of the whereabouts OF
the pin. However, he would be only
too happy to search for il. aud Mrs. Lor-
ing Blake could rest assured that if
found anywhere within the store it
would he returned 10 her.
Then commenced a search for the
missing pin. Tic floor was carefully
examined, and every part of the estab-
lishment thoroughly overhauled. The
sweepings of the previous evening were
sifted, and last Of all, Mr.. Button ques-
toned the clerks, not forgetting TO mem
ton the fact that the owner woulI re-
ward the finder.
Notwithstanding all this, the where
abouts of tho pin remained a mystery,
aud lIe was obliged to report his lack Of
success to Mrs. Loring Blake.
Now, of course, among others lie had
spoken to ii nry Harris. This young
man, when he learned that the search
had been abandoned by his employer,
decided to look around a little on his
own account. He believed that he could
recover the diamond. He was satisfied
that it was not in the store: what, then,
was more probable than that the owner
had dropped it when she alighted from
her barouclle?
At about o'clock the next morn
ing person looking out on street
might have seen lantern moving along
that thoroughfare. Closer observation
would have revealed the fact that it was
in the hand of Henry Harris; also that
he carried spade.
Arrived opposite the entrance to Cloth
and Company's, he set down his lantern
and commenced shoveIling away the
snow. Notwithstanding the fact that q
policeman was supposed to pass the spot
every IS minutes, he worked unmoIested
for more than an hour. When he left
success had crowned his efforts and the
pin was in his pocket
When Dir. Button entered the store
that morning. the first person whom he
encountered was Henry Harris Before
he could dock him for not being be-
hind the counter, as he had intended to
do. his clerk produced the pin aud COM
menced to explain BY what means be
had obtained it Mr. Button suddenly
changel his mind with regard to the
docking" process de was delighted
20 know that the diamond had been re-
covered. and bestowed unbounded praise
upon Henry.
The reason was simple:r 1frz Loring
Blake had limited that II her property
were not recovered she would transfer
her patronage to the rival firm OF Tape,
Ribbon and Company. That. in the