The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-07
FORTUNE RUINED AND VANISHED

1t was the day of my deepest despond-
ency, closing with a dark outlook that
promised only disaster. All had gone
wrong. The requested raise IN a beager
salary had been denied; my VIE and
child, bosh sick had gone from home IN
der our physicians advice. at great ex-
pense; that same physicians bill, for
| nearly hundred dollars, was in my
pocket. unpaid: rent was past due on
my little unpretentious fat, and l had
issued a check that would draw nay last
dollar from the bank.
What am | 10 do?" I asked myself, as
tossed on my bed at midnight. /
courted sleep without avail. My mental
fortunes were added to by a distress
ing headache and most rebellious stonl-
ach. l thought of my sick wife and
chiiu, and with every thought il seemed
as though there came to me the deep
voice of Il great bell, ringing out the word
Money!
Money Money. Money!" l could en-
dure ii no longer. l sprang from my
bed. dressed, and hurried into the street,
hoping that fresh air and exercise would
induce sleep. passed the bank where
my last check had gone TO destroy the
remainder OF my small account and
turned the corner into one of the dark
est streets.
The exercise was affecting my stomach,
and to rest my dizzy head l stepped into
a vacant lot through an opening in a
high, dilapidated fence
For q few seconds stood with my head
against the rough boards. when l heard
the sound of hurrying feet. A man pass
ed. running rapidly, and threw something
that fell near me. A few seconds after
ward several other men went running in
the same direction.
What did it mean? What had the man
thrown in the lot? [ stopped and eau
tiously raised a strong paper bag that
was quite heavy. 1 stepped to the open
ing in the fence, where some light from
a lamp across the street entered, and
examined my find.
Money. 1t is money! l said, half
aloud when l saw great packages Of bills
that | knew must count into the thous-
ands of dollars. My money! My money!
was Startled at the thought. 1 felt
as though L was guilty of a crime No
one was in sight I hurried past the
bank and into my lonesome home.
The bankl'' l Whispered. 1t must have
been robbed, and the thief in his fight
throw the money away. hoping TO return
and find it when the pursuit is over. He
will not find it, 1t is mine
l saw that the doors were locked and
the SHADES uoWn, anu tilel NouiltIu IhN
bills. Forty-two thousand dollars. l
could pay nv debts and have ample
means to restore my wife and child to
health.
Il possess a fortune said, and then
tried TO sleep. Sleep did not come, but
question that seemed to be written In
letters of fire appeared before my closed
eyes-'Is it my money!"
The bank had lost it without my fault
the thief was not entitled to it, and for
tune had placed it in my hand. Thus
argued and tried to sleep
shall 1 tell my wife and child how l
got the money! 1 asked myself. Then
felt more wretched than at any time be-
fore Il will return the money to the
bank" Peace came with the thought.
After a moment the vision of my terri
BILE poverty was stronger than before
THE end justifies the means. said.
"A little deception before wife and child
will only be a slight wrong and for their
great benefit. Yes; that is the way 1 will
have it, Then 1 tried to sleep
must I live a lie all of my life?' l
asked Must the getting of this founda-
ton of a fortune remain a secret with
me? No, 1t would-be a living torture.
L will rot make slave of my soul.
Then for the first time the thought Of
a reward for the return of the money.
That would be something. That would
be legitimate. / determined TO return the
money to the bank in the morning, and
then | slept.
The sun was high when / awoke. and
at once hurried for my morning paper to
see what reward was offered for the re-
turn of the money. Not word did
find about a bank robbery, but on the
first page, under startling headlines, was
an account of the raiding of n counter
feirers' den, which said:
-Four of the men found in the room
when the officers broke in the door were
at once arrested, but the fifth man leaped
through a back window and climbed down
a fire escape. carrying a large paper
bag, which evidently contained counter
felt money. He was pursued for more
than mile, but succeeded in making his
escape