The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-31
TIE MEANEST MAM.
H, ::as ncaa Founi: 1T : os Angeles.
California.

The worst thing about some stories
is that they are lies. The worst thing
about this story is that it is literally
true. The meanest man in Los An-
releS has been found. the case has
been proved and Next" has been
called. 1t is doubtful. in fact. whether
a meaner man viii be found anywhere.
The story needs 70 establishment,
The simple facts are bad enough, and
this's Just tie way the events occur
red.
\ we'll known woman went ont rid
ing few days ago. She had her
uockctbook with her. The pOcketboOk
contained some money. Therefore it
is unnecessary to explain that the
woman was not out shopping. she
lost tie p9cketbook. When she came
home she told her husband about the
loss. As to whether he scolded her or
not my informant does not say. At
any rate. that evening the family
telephone bell rang and on answering
it mans voice was heard to make
the usual inquiries. after which lie
said:
L found p0cketbook today con-
tanning card bearing your wife's
name. l supposed the book belonged
t. your wife i have it at my office. ="
The thanks Of the relieved family
were freely poured over the wire, and
sleep in that household was sweet that
night.
Next morning the husband Of the
woman who lost the pocketbook called
at the Office Of the well-known gentle
man who had telephoned. He was
presented to fine looking person who
was said to be the one who owned the
found property. The husband des-
cribed the portmonnaie accurately,
including the contents, and the finder
graciously acknowledged that the 6e5-
cription was correct
The book was then produced and
was promptly recognized.
Il am very much obliged to you for
telephoning US OF your tind," said the
gcatiied visitor; then, as a matter OF
course, he added: Now, how much
do owe you for your kindness?"
The other looked serious for mo-
ment, and then replied slowly:
"Well. l hardly know just how
much to say. Well, let's Say-no. It's
up to you"
To say that the husband Of the
pocketbo0k loser was surprised would
be putting it mildly. Had he been
haggling with a pickpocket, street
gamin or a beggar he would not have
been in the least taken aback. But to
hear that sort Of cool bid for pit
tance from a well dressed, grown-up
man who had done an ordinary kind
ness such as might be returnable any
hour was more than he was prepared
for.
When he had recovered his breath
he said:
why, never paid reward in my
life, and have no idea Of the rules Gus
tonary governing such cases. l should
feel better if you would name the
amount Yourself"
The man looked still more serious.
Taking pencil from his pocket, he
began to make figures on piece OF
paper.
Lets see," he said. musinely, as
he eyed the poclletbook. Pretty good
pocketbook, slightly worn-Say, one
fifty. Contents, three dollars and five
cents-total, four tifty-tive. We might
split the diff-no, say two dollars"
And he looked up at bis victim with
the innocence of child.
The man dug into bis pocket speech
lessly, and handed out 81. and started
for the door. He thought he had had
the experience of his life. Not so. If
the mans diminutiveneSs had been ex-
hausted, his nerve hadn't. Reaching
into his vest pocket, he drew out a
card, handed it to the stupifed caller
and said:
Here's my card. In case you
should ever want anything in our line
We would like to have you remember
the man who found your wife's pock-
etbook. Los Angeles Herald.