The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-07

THE RUNAWAY DOLLAR.

TIE nONAWAI WILLIAM
A Lost Coin That Accomplished Two
Good Missions.
] must say that it was clear case of
dollar-a bright, new one at that
running away from its owner 1t came
bounding down the steps of great
building one sunshiny day, showing its
rounded edge to the sunbeams and the
date on its face.
81 wonder who lost it," cried boy
who happened to see the coin in its
flight; and then he pounced upon it
and held it up as he mentally calculated
how much it would purchase.
After awhile he looked up at the
building as though he expected to see
someone come out in search of the
runaway, but no one appeared.
He could not see how a dollar
could help but be missed, for with
him dollars were very scarce. Then he
thought of the vast amount of money
stored in the house, for it was bank,
and while he looked people came out
appearing well pleased and walked rap
idly away.
"Please sir, did you lose a dollar just
now?" asked. the little fellow. address,
ing one of those who came down the
broad steps.
The man with good-natured face
stopped and looked at the coin in the
boys hand.
mo, my boy; it is not mine," said
the merchant.
at came rolling down the steps, any,
way"
swell, you might as we'll keep it."
But it has an owner; it isn't mine
"Oh, it will not be missed. Why, it's
only dollar." and the gentleman
laughed and passed Oh.
But the boy stood still, gazing at the
runaway dollar, and wondering to whom
1t could belong.
st doesn't belong to me, that's GER
tain, said he, firmly. SIT ought to go
bacle>t Its owner" and he went up the
stepsfand entered the bank. a Il
It was the firstttime his fee had ever
press&d the beautiful floor of the bank
ingtr65m, and he wondered if they
would let him remain moment At a
little window right ahead he saw man
who was looking over pile of money,
and in moment he stood before him.
''Here's dollar that ran away awhile
ago." he said, laying the coin on the
marble in front of the cashier.
IRAN off, did you say?" smiled tie
banker. "Why, it has no legs"
The boy smiled himself, but explained
that he had seen the dollar roll down
the steps of the bank and on to the
sidewalk, and it was trying to find the
owner.
Maybe Mr.. Ballymore lost it," sug-
gested young man who overheard the
conversation.
''Old Bally, eh?" returned the cashier.
"You don't know him, do you?"
The banker then said that Mr. Bally-
more had an office just around the cor
ner; and when the finder of the run
away dollar replied that he would go
and see, he heard a light laugh, and
walked out with it ringing in his ears.
He found Mr.. Ballymore's office at
the top of two flights of stairs-a gruff
old fellow who looked to the boy like
| bear.
mot mine" said the old broker,
gruffly, looking at the dollar, con-
temptuously; ''mebbe the bank lost
it," And that was all the boy could
get ont of him.
Nothing was left for the finder of the
runaway dollar out to take it home
which he did at last, rather glad. i,
must be confessed, that he could not
restore it to its owner. or rather, that il
it had to be lost, glad he was the one tc
find it.
1t made his eyes bright as it lay or
the poor table that night with the
children clustered around it saying
what they would buy with it the next
day. How it cleaned in the lamplight
looking brighter than ever, and vision.
Of good things to be purchased accom-
panied the little ones to bed.
But the next day the dollar was mo-
spent. Instead, the boy made littl,
bank" out of box and dropped it in
concluding that he would wait; som,
day its owner might come to light
There were times when food was scare,
in the house, and the family thought o
the runaway dollar, but the boy would
not give his consent to have it talleI
from the bank.
One day. just when the banks of tn,
great city were closing, he happened
to reach the steps down which the dol
lar had rolled in the sunlight Ion,
time before. AS he looked up at tn
massive building he saw the cashie
come out, and to his surprise the maj
seemed to recognize him, and beckone'
to him to stop.
DO you recollect the dollar tina
ran away some time ago." asked tn
cashier.
The boy smiled at once.
Indeed | do, sir. 1t Wa right her
that found it"
Ibid You ever find an owner for it?
Never, SIR"