The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-01-15

such pace, at such a time, Not a
word to give false claimant any help
in Identifying the bills, you see. But
he doesn't think I'll ever find the own
er, and, say. girls, II he shouldn't turn
up. whst d. you say TO a lake trip to-
gether or some kind Of regular spree
with this money!
Il couldn't enjoy it, said the right
eous Lillian.
"Sct unless you gave half 70 a hos
pital," amended another.
''Oh. ! dent know" dissented Geor-
gia. Il think my conscience would take
in a trip to Mackinac."
Good for you,~ replied Meta, as she
rolled up her wealth and put on her hat.
'.We1l spend ii all for gum If we want
10. Georgia; and We won't treat them,
either-see if we do"
They didn't see her again for three
weeks, and then she came fiying into
luncheon at Lisian's with look in her
eyes as if she'd just fallen heir 10 nil
lien in gold.
I've had the ioyeliest experience in
the world" she announced You re-
member that money / fouRd2 Wei.
waited few days. as Uncle Mac said.
and no one advertised the loss: 50 put
enc in myself. Told them to address X.
the newspaper Office. ycu kzcw-the
way they DO Next morning went
Gown to get the returns. There were
nine answers. and Of al the pathetic
things, Not one of the people who
wrote had lost their money On the dag
OF at the place found mine. but they
were just as hopeful. fer all that. and
they actually made me feel responsible
for their losses
FIRST there was man who had
dropped a small, fiat. black hook. with
pawn ticket. laundry bill and txo
twO-doIlar bills in IT, And distressed
over il. You'd think he'd lost a gold
mine. And he was 50 sure twas his
money I'd found-Poor fslloEi Then
a woman poured out a whole sheefful
OF her heart. ard drew a picture Of the
purse she'd lost. and tod me how the
money in it belonged TO her sister.
who was in the hospital and who need
ed it dreadfully. and how I'd be blessed
forever # l only restored II. Next
there was an old man Who had dropped
two $50 bills. and Be went on in a
shaky. feeble hand TO explain that the
reason be was carrying il was because
he couldn't trust the banks; ard then
another girl. who tod about an ALI
gator-skin pocketbOok containing a
latehkey and time pass over the Tia
cinnati. Jackson & Nackinac road
When / showed that 10 Uncle Mac after
ward hs said that road was a regular
joke. because il didn't run 10 any Of the
places mentioned in its name. and he
just shouted over the piss. because
il had expired September 90. 1891. But
il wasn't funny 10 ne thought the
girl must be IN sad way 10 be hang
ing on 10 an expired pass over a read
like that for three whole years Be
sides. she mentioned in a postscript
that there was a five-doIlar bill in her
purse.
Il got awfully worked up over those
letters Then. suddenly. l had a bril-
liant idea ! Just made up my mind to
wait week and then, If no one claimed
that Sc. to send for al those forlorn
people and pay them what they had lost
out OF what ] had found. ! didn't dare
tell Uncle Mac the scheme until the
week had passed and had really writ
ten notifying them al. TO be al his Of
fee al ten o'clock this morning. Then
] just gave him the news all in one
piece l don't believe in breaking
things. especially when you've set your
heart on doing them Oh. he thought
was crazy. of course. and wished he'd
answered nay 'ad' himself and claimed
the money. Said he could have done
ii through some one else so l would
never have suspected. and then could
fit of sentimental foolishness had
passed Off-znd ali that sort OF talk.
But the end of il was that he took
chair over by the window in his Of
fee and let me have things all my own
way with the psople ! had sent for
They al came. mind you. and of all
the surprised-looking beings, Each
one was expecting TO find the identical
purse he had lest. and al first every
one looked suspicious of everyone else.
They couldn't seem TO grasp the situa-
tion.
Il had the money. all changed into
the right amounts and lying in tempt
ing little heaps, on Uncle Macs desk
First l made little speech and then
] served gold and silver refreshments.
1t took every cent OF the money, and
] had TO put in a dollar besides. so
there goes cur gum. Georgia: but you
wouldn't grudge il if you'd been there.
Such larks, ! never felt so much like
a benefscsnt fairy in my life. Oh. dear
{ fun. Naudevilles are nowhers-sud,
say, the man who lost the pawn ticket
viii never get over his grC6ge against
me because l couldn't give that back.
He thinks I've est him a fortune. But
/ the rest were more than sweet. Girls.
I I've been blessed and Rugged. and the
old man with the two $50 gold pieces
actually kissed my hand. Think Of that
will yOu2 And the woman with the
sister in the hospitsl was so happy.
And l cried. Ne crying-csn you see
I it2 And Uncle Mac needn't pretend
I he wasn't wipins his own ewes. either.