The evening times., 1896-07-15
left THINGS BEHIND Them
Purses, Umbrellas andArticles
Lost by EndeavOrerS.
MANY HAVE BEEN FOUND
Corner at Headquarters Devoted to
the Various Finds-Ma 1ority of the
LOSSES Occurred Mt the Churches.
Women Left Their Purses on Steps
When They Sat Down to Rest.

There is a corner reserved al c. E. head
quarters for articles that have been found,
and it presents the appearance OF an old
curiosity shop TO-DAY. Chairman Smith
states that although no accurate account
has been kept he believes that ore hun
dred pocketbooks have been returned to
their owners.
But three pocketbooks now remain, and
two would form subjects for pathetic
sketches, even though the owners be un-
known. Ore looks as if il belonged to
a young lady, and ii is evident that she is
not wealthy, for carefully folded in Il Paper
is her scanty stock OF small change, but
20 cents in all. 1t is not III the amount of
money, however, that The pathos of this
little purse lies. In an envelope is Il lock
of hair, curls that probably the owner
would ma he almost any sacrifice to regain.
Anolher pocketbook Is evidently that of
business woman. There is only small
amount OF money-but 90 cents-but there
Is Union transfer check and a memo
randun written III feminine hand, and
other little evidences OF order, that make il
seem singular SO meihodicaI person
should ever have lost the pocketbook.
The Third book shows that the owner has
at times possessed either IL good deal OF
money or many papers. IL is a plcthorie-
looking wallet aud i'll it is Il $40 bill,
together with few papers.
THE MISSING UMBRELLAS. =.
With the first three days of the conven-
ton rainy and the last three days hot
enough 10 carry umbrellas, il is natural
that many should become lost, and only
singular thatSo man should everhave beea
recovered,
Umbrellas constitute class of property
that people who would not steal anything
else under any temptation, however great,
will appropriate.
IL is therefore ii high tribute to the hon
esty Of the Christian Endeavurcrs when it
is stated that over a hundred umbrellas
have been found ana all bat eleven re-
turned 10 the owners. OF tLose remaining
at headquarters ten evidently belong To-
n:en. The ladies lose pccketcooks be-
cause they have no safe way OF carrying
them, but they watch their umbrellas.
Ten pairs OF spectacles in the corner for
lost articles, about half of Them in cases,
testify that the Young Peoples Society of
Christian Endeavor is not composed en-
tireiy of people Young in years.
Among The other articles still at head
quarters are three wraps, eight fans. ten
ladies' handkerchiefs, one reticule, seven
pairs of gloves, sketch book and hand
some memorandum book. OF those that
have been returned to their owners were
wv i'it'NS 'is'iNf Gnu NtNllt- man
tie, which he had laid on the Capitol steps
one of the features of the lost article cor
ner is that those who make inquiries for
articles they have missed are not, as a
rule, people who are unfamiliar with city
life.
II is not the country cousin. :" that much
abused individual whom the hunorstS de-
light TO nisrepresent, but the oity-bred
ladies' and gentlemen who lead in care
iessly leaving articles lying on church
steps. But FEW Of the articles lost have
been dropped on the streets.
HOW THE LOSSES HAPPENED.
In almost every instance the loser has,
when tired, sought rest on the steps of
churches or public buildings, their pocket
books, fans. handkcrchiefs, hats or um-
brellas have been laid by their side, ard
when they have become rested the articles
are left behind.
TWo-thirGs OF the finds have been on the
steps OF churches, while une-half Of the other
third have been picked up on steps Of public
buildings.
Some of the delegates have Immediately
upon discovering the loss of purse re-
ported that their pockets have been picked,
and few of them requested Chairman
smith 10 ask for an extra detail of police.
Mr.. Smith, who has succeeded in sust;in-
Ing remarkable calmness under all cir
cuinstances, has gone to the dra wer and in
almost every instance the missing article
was there, and nothing more was said
about insufficient police protection.
Among the articles not yet claimed are
three handsome gold pins. The finest found
was returned to its owner this morning.
These are not lost through carelessness,
but are forced OFT OF the ladies' dresses
by the crowds, and, unlike other articles,
llpy fDunH the in ha
White Lot, and not on the church steps.
II is a sin Eular fact that of all those who
have lost their purses not one has had the
forethoueht to put in card with name and
address. so that it could be returned. This
simple precaution would have saved much
trouble and delay. and it is rema rkable that
without IT so man y ow ners have been found