The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-01
A LIBERAL REWARD.


day in my early youth an omnibus. On
getting Inside I found half dozen per-
sons, one of " HON was an elderly gentle
man.
Presently he took from his pocket
black leather pocketboek and opened it.
It was full of bank notes. 60 bsgan to
turn them over in bank clerk fashion.
There might have been $50, 900 in that
pocketbook. He thulnbed them over
roughly and oarelessly and now and then
tore enc.
The old gentleman made note Of some
thin;3-probably the sum tOtal-on blank
leaf and carelessly put the book into his
tail pocket.
In the course Of few minutes all the
passeng gers were set down, and I was left
alone with the owner OF the pocketbook.
At length he, toe. poked the conductor
with his stick to signify that he wished to
get out.
l watched him as he walked away across
the road, until he became lost to my view
III the crowd upon the pavement. Then
my eye was suddenly attracted by some
thing black lying in the straw at the bot
tom OF the omnibus.
1t was the black Poclletbooki
Suddenly recovering myself, I STOPPED
down and with trembling hand took it
up. rushed on frantically III the direo-
ton in which I had seen the owner of tho
pecketbook disappear.
In little lane diverging from the main
street caught glimpse Of the owner Of
the pocketbool..
Just rs 1 got within 4 few yards Of him
he stopped suddenly, slapped his pocket,
appeared to remember that something had
been forgotten and abruptly turned round
60 ratrace his steps.
We gazed upon each other in mute but
expressive silence. Then the old gentlo-
man opened his arms snd l fell plump IN
&c them.
Young man, y said the millionaire in a
gruT but trenulous voice and gently dis
engaging ne from his embrace, young
man, let Inc -
He did not get any further just then
but took the pocketbook from my extend
cd hand, opened it, and grasping q hand
full of notes appeared to DO about to offer
me that amount But suddenly no thought
better OF his apparent intention. shut UP
his precious beck and put it IN his pocket.
Young man." he repeated again seiz-
ing my hand and aPparen tly still too over
powered with emotion to give Ineligible
expression to the sense OF obligation undec
which he felt himself. young man, II
can never repay you. L shall remember
you respect you, young man, as long as
live, and hope-1 Go koIe--bue Jhe9e IS
my card. young man. Gail upon me ia
morrow a preciscl v--at precisely. For
the present, farewell. young lnan. Cali
upnn me tomorrow at precisely" These
were his very last words.
He meant to mako a friend Of .ne--fo
introduce me to his family, to point TO ne
as his hcnefactor, perhaps to adopt me IS
his SON
1t was as clear IS day. Mr.. LobIo had
daughter, 4 lovely ds.4g htcr-I felt certain
no had.
1t was clear also that NJ. Lobb intend
Cd and designed that daughter for my
wife, Provided-provided We happened to
like each other. All! l. saw it all. That
was what he hoped 10 30 sure!
Next morning 1 was mp and dressed at
an unwonted hour. My t0llst gavo 2ee
some uncasiness. I had certainty Il pair Of
black trousers, but there were upeenafort-
able syInpt ous Of shlpiGe=S abeut che
knees and raGgedRess about thc Seat
Then my laced boots--clsarly required
a new suit. But how? 1 was ys@y short
just then, and quarter day vas yct E. week
off.
Simpson suddenly occurred to Tae.
Iapplicd to Simpson accordingly fsr the
loan of 800, and it mag he ,aterest;pg TO
state tina the request was unhesitatingiy-
complied with.
Simpson, my boy. I exclaimed, grasp
ing his hand, you have made my for
tune"
On inquiry I fou12d that Paradise villa
was situated Eear tic end Of the lane. a
feyv minutes Brought INC to the saee.
II wAs paradise indeed, and with SEN
sation Of boing there 1 pulled up ray shirt
collar and rang the bell. 1t VI As presently
answered by damcat.o, who shewex nae
into an apartment and seok up Ely cgsgd.
There was an oder " dinRer, which, IS
I was hungry, barring, through excite
meat, forgotten TO eat anything siace
morning, night havs gone to my heart
had that organ not beep alrosSy occupied
IN thsobbipg for sweet Nraily Lobb.
I had just time 80 erect my collar and
arrange my hair when the servant re-sn-
tared the room.
please, A1r. Lobb says are you the man
from Bulbs, She ferist'a?"
This was addressed to Ine-to me! Was
the mar from Bulbs, the florist s?'' Was
the Inan-the man? You might have
knocked ne down with feather, with .
hair, with nothing!
Young woman, 1 am not the man from
Bulbs, the florists Tell your master that
1 am the gentleman who found his pocket
book" Presently tho tide of my indigna-
item was arrested by the rustic OF a sii X
dress on the stairs.
It WAS she-Fmily! ha!-coming herself
to bid vac welcome!
"Nhere is lo?'' heard her ask in the
| passage. What rich, Inelodious tonesl
| IL another instant tho door opened and
q female figure appeared in the entrance.
/ ] stood rooted to the spot, spesshloss, con
| founded. She advanced toward ne, hold
| ing cat her hand, and Gre I could rush
forward to meet her see spoke:
"Oh, you are tie poor man who found
! papa's poeket1ook. Papa is very much
! Obliged to you and desires me to give you
this
I held out my hand mechanically and
! allowed something TO be dropped into it,
| but the horrible obliquity of Miss Lobb S
vision, the rsdness of her nose and the
fearful scragginess of her neck kept Hle
spellbound.
/ At last Looked in my hand AID found
rgposing in its palrn-half q CROWN Eow
found my way 10 the door, how | gained