New-York tribune., 1900-01-13

hope 10 the dOWHcasJ mas been given iately -pE
certain writer saying that riches not always
the result OF prolonged labor: that one must keep
up heart for who knows when he may stumble
into millions.
That this statement Is true may be seen by the
following story Of Sophie Holmes which. though
well known, is worth repeating in this connection
sOPHIE's WONDERFUL FIND
In 1862 Sophie Holmes was employed by General
Spinner. the Treasurer Of the. United States. as a
temporary charwoman. She was assigned 10 the
rooms OF the Issue Division to sweep and dust
One afternoon IN April Of that year Aunt Sophie
was hard at work sweeping and scrubbng the
floors when she large bundle.
which she supposed waste paper, and was in
the act OF throwing it in the basket TO be burned
when she decided to investigate It,
She was amazed and almost frightened out OF
her wits TO discover several dozen rolls Of $1,000
bills. 500 600 IN all.
BY some unexplainable mistake this package Of
money was overlooked. and even when the ac-
counts were balanced in the evening it was not
missed. and General Spinner believing all to be
secure. had locked the safe and gone out with an
easy conscience.
Aunt Sophie. on finding all Of this wealth un-
guarded. decided to remain in the until some
one with authority to accept the money should
arrive.
So. to allay all suspicion. she pretended to be
working very hard. but always remained near the
money.
She was afraid to leave the bundle to seek
General Spinner. and not knowing the guaru Shs
thought # best to trust him with her secret
She thought Of going out and carrying the bun
die Of money with her; then it occurred 10 her
that the guard not knowing her. might examine
the package and finding its valuable contents
either kill her and escape with the wealth, or
suspect her of theft.
There seemed but one thing for her do to
stay and guard the fortune with her life if neces-
sary
About o'clock one of the guards entered the
rHSre
asked:
Still at work?"
Aunt Sophie began to sweep with all Of her
might and main, Yes she answered, but II! IN
the watchman was only TOO glad to escape.
scattered it the floor again. IN an effort to be
No more watchmen disturbed her and finally
out Of sheer exhaustion, she sat down to rest
About midnight she awoke. hearing a noise in
the hall She was frightened, and rising, she
fhe money by wedgtng It in between two desks
there till General Spinner. who slept in the build
In this cramped position she slept until o'clock
IN the morning. when she heard a soft football in
the hall, and listening, she thought she recog-
Rt5ed R6e @ 5b sSP ST. e Of his Psa Bae Spinner IN trembling
General Spinner was known as the WaIch COG cog
OF the Treasury, name given him from the fact
that he had a habit Of wandering through the
everything was all right In the silence and dark
ness Of the night this low. trembling voice Of a
he was not an acknowledged believer in ghosts.
On discovering Aunt Sophie wedged in between
two desks his fright was turned into the keenest
surprise.
Finally when she had become quieted and could
tell her story and investigation proved II TO be
correct, the money locked up in mis- private
safe. 70 await the next days investigation Sew
eral days later Aunt Sophie was sent for and com
plimented for her faithfulness and token OF
gratitude was given a life appointment
Creede. the for whom the mining town in
Colorado named. II is stated, literally tUmbled
his fortune by falling from a mule that had
tripped a rock The rock was found 70 contain
silver and Of the many pieces WHlCQ after
ward made him millionaire.
According 70 report the ZaCateraS mines were
discovered by Indian who struck piece Of
rock while climbing a mountain The rock was
almost solid Of silver and the lucky Indian
lost no time in making known the discovery.
An EngIishman who accidentally discharged his
gun into beam Of an old farmhouse. greatly
surprised by a shower Of gold pieces, which fell
from the place where a portion Of the beam had
been shattered. Further discoveries revealed that
5000 had been concealed in the hollow OF the beam