The Saint Paul globe., 1903-10-14

MI. JOSldu 6llIS Is a IQOQeFdlely SOOO
man in that he attends church occa-
sionally. After Mr.. Pitts gets on his
wife's nerves by a week of late hours
and uncertain behavior he allows her
to take him to church. Whereupon
Mrs. Pitts tells herself that Josiah is
reforming.
Last Sunday evening Mr.. Pitts went
to church with his wife. He was in a
state of mind common with him. He
was blaming himself for his misdeeds
and praising himself for his reforma-
ton. Pm pretty bad" thought Mr..
Pitts. Il played poker three nights
straight running last week, and 1 was
more than woozy when / reached home
Tuesday and Thursday mornings. No
wonder Maria is angry with me. But
I'm reforming. I'm on my road to
church. 1 guess I'm not lost yet. 1t
feels nice to reform. 1 like to do it.
Only the innately virtuous like to re-
form. Therefore, I'm innately virtu-
ous."
In church Mr. Pitts sat decorously
started. What was that on the floor
under the pew in front of him? He
peered at the object which had at
tracted his attention. 1t looked like
little, folded square of green paper.
There was a large figure five plainly
visible on it. Could it be?
Josiah" whispered Mrs. Pitts,
there's money on the floor. Pick it
up"
Mr.. Pitts looked at the other occu-
pants of the pew. Then he studied the
people in the pew in front of him. The
folded green paper was too near his
feet for it to have been dropped by any
one in the front pew. The people in
the pew with him were closer to the
aisle than. he, and none of them was
the loser, he was certain.
Pick it up" Kissed his wife.
With swift, cautious motion Mr..
Pitts bent forward and picked up the
bill Barely glancing at it, he partly
opened it between his thumb and fin
gers, crumpled it up and quickly showed
it into his vest pocket. He hoped no
one had noticed him.
What is 1t? How much?" asked his
wife in whisper rendered shrill by ex-
citement.
Five dollars. A brand new BILL" re-
piled Mr.. Pitts, trembling for fear a
neighbor would say, II dropped that"
Glancing furtively around him he con-
tinued: 1T doesn't belong to any of
these people, They're all women. Some
mans lost it, 1 know. 1t was folded so
that it would go in the watch pocket of
a pair of trousers. Some fellows pull
ed 1t out while looking at his watch
during the morning service"
well, give it to me. It's mine now,"
breathed Mrs. Pitts.
Mr.. Pitts looked at her "Why-why
what do you mean?" he gasped almost
aloud.
Ssh! I saw it first"
you didn't. 1 was looking at 1t be-
fore you knew it was there"
Josiah Pitts, it's mine. would have
had it before you, only you were near
er to it,"
But Mr. Pitts had no intention Of re-
linquishing his treasurer troVe, and a
sibilant colloquy ensued and lasted un-
til service was almost concluded
IN give you half" finally growled
Mr. Pitts.
For awhile silence reigned between
them. Mrs. Pitts knew that Mr.. Pitts
would not "act honestly" with her;
for so she persuaded herself he would
be doing In giving her the whole
amount. Thinking about honesty made
her sit up straight for a minute. Then
she leaned toward her husband "Jo-
siah Pitts" she murmured, you have
no right to keep that money"
I'm going to keep it," was the stub
born reply.
You'd better send it to the minister
and let him announce that it has been
found. If there is no claimant, you
may keep it then"
'Pll keep 1t now."
Again there was a short silence. Mr..
Pitts tried to ignore his wife's last
words; but they would recur to him.
He argued with himself that the money
was his. He had found it. Even If
he did advertise 1t through the min
jCtQr IA g,
it, and 1t might go to a dishonest
claimant. He had no doubt that there
were dishonest people in the church.
Still, he was not altogether easy. The
money had been found in holy place
and under the circumstances keeping
it might be greater sin than If he had
picked 1T up in the street. Maybe he
ought to try to discover the owner.
Would he? Would he not?
The decision was a hard one to make.
He felt that he was tempted to do
wrong, but fear of the possible dis
honest person who would claim the bill
had about determined him to keep 1t
himself, when his wife plucked him by
the sleeve.
Here comes Deacon Smith up the
AISLE" she said softly. Give it to him
to take to the minister" At the same
time she beckoned to the deacon.
willy nilly. Deacon" lie whispered
hoarsely, Il found S5 bill on the floor.
Take 1T to the minister and have him
announce it so that the owner may
claim it."
The deacon took the bill handed to
him and at once sought the minister.
Then came the announcement:
Brother Josiah Pitts, who is with