The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-09-11
]. D. WEED & CO.,
COTTON TIES.

"Out into the night 1 pumped, the
rain dashing fine spray into my face
and the wind cutting my ears like A.
knife. Wha's that?' Why didn't l stop
for a powder? Why, you dod-gasted
idiot, l had six before 1 reached the
station. Any reporter with half an
idea would know that no real. first
class journalist ever SO far forgets
himself as to pass a barroom
TO continue, when I reached the
station l found the chief waiting for
me. He was a big moustached man,
with a habit of pulling himself in when
you wanted to interview him and let
ting himself out when you didn't But
he knew his business, that boy did.
His reputation was ne plus ultra,
everywhere.
Here's games old boy he said
as l entered, See if you can unwind
the string
There wasn't much of string to
unwind A foolish little German bak-
er, lured by the sugared promises of
a green goods circular placed himself
in communication with a New York
aggregation and bought a bunch Of
worthless paper. He was in the chiefs
office when l entered, the very picture
of unutterable despair. The money
he had lost represented the savings of
many years. He had put it by, bit
his little daughter educational advan-
tages which force of circumstances had
compelled his parents to deny himself.
His sole purpose in entering into a.
dishonorable transaction with the
green goods men was to increase the
chances of success of his little child,
whom he loved with a tender solicit
tude it is impossible to adequately de-
scribe.
Here's your VICTIM said the chief.
Pump him
CMustache," as the chief was known
to his intimates, viewed everything
with the cold blooded eye of business.
Daily contact with criminals had not
made him actually callous to human
suffering. but it had unquestionably
all but dried up his fonts of sympa-
thy)
Il did pump the German. His story
was just as have given it to you AS
he spoke he blubbered like a woman,
and | tell you, boys, hardened sinner
that 1 am, those tears affected me. 1
have done the water-cart act myself
once or twice, but it has generally been
too much of the rosy with me. With
that German baker it was genuine
grief.
well, the upshot of it all was that
l wrote up the story. 1t was a SCOOP
for the other boys were either toe
busy or too lazy to respond to the
chiefs summons. The city editor was
immensely tickled and was kind
enough to remark that if / reformed
and worked hard I might get half a
day off on Christmas.
THE weeks rolled by and in the rush
of business / had forgotten all about
the little German and his loss, when
one day he surprised me with visit.
His face was beaming and his eyes
shone like polished crystal.
dell you, mine frient,' he said,
you are de besd newsbaber man in
de world
THAT was nothing new; I had
known that for long time. So 1
merely looked at him and waited FOR
him to pass me out something that did
not SAVIOR so much of the antique.
Vuld you believe it?" continued
the Dutchman, I god my money And
without more ado he plunged his hand
into his pocket and produced the fol-
lowing letter: q recite it as 1 remem-
Der it,.
My Dear Sir-You and 1 are both
consummate scoundrels. You tried to
do Uncle Sam: I did you. You were
intent on securing a package of coun-
ttrfeit money; I was intent on securing
the real. In many points of character
we may differ; but we agree in one
we are both, as I have said, unprinci-
you per mail several weeks ago, fully
intended to enjoy a trip to Europe
(where l have much important work
in the gambling line awaiting mel, on
the proceeds of the deal. But heard of
your distress in the 1t touched me
to the heart. (Thieves have hearts,
you know. I could not bear to think
of your little daughter deprived of the
advantages which make life so dear to
most women while 1 was stalking the
money that was saved for her educa-
ton on the turn of card or throw OF
die. Besides, have a little daughter
myself.
Here is your money-for Gods
sake keep it from the clutches of such
guilty wretches as the man who pens
this Goodbye
That was all. There was no name
signed to the missive. Accompanying
it was a check for five thousand dol
lars.
THE little German left me in a
short while. his face wreathed In
smiles.
You'll nefer wride me oop again.
he said as he departed.
And / never did" Thos. o. Harris.
-s-~~
LUCY COBB BREAKS RECORD.