Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-05-25
DAILY SHORT STORY
AVoIuntary Subscription.

i L
batch of bills. So far as 1 could see
they were 500 bills, and judging from
che thickness of the pile there must
have been twenty or thirty Of them.
left the bank and stood on the sidewalk
waiting for a trolley car. Just as one
came along the old gentleman came
up and got into it, 1 taking seat on
the side opposite him. He was rest
less little man, frequently changing his
position, and during the ride he took
the pocketbook 1 had seen him han
ding at the bank. from q side pocket
and stuffed it into,h coat tail pocket.
This he doubtless did from nervous
ness. for his tail pocket was not as
safe a place for'his treasure as the side
pocket and in transferring it he dis
played it to the passengers.
Presently he signaled the conductor.
who stopped the car at the next corner,
and the old gentleman got out. The car
had not gone on farther than block
before / noticed the pOcketbook lying
on the seat he had left. 1 sprang for
It, rushed to the door and, without
waiting for the car to stop, jumped off.
Running back a block, 1 came TO a
trolley line crossing. a car had stopped
and was just moving on when 1 came
I'D. On it's rear platform stood the
man 1 was looking for. By the time 1
reached the corner the car was NOV
ing so rapidly that 1 was doubtful Of
my ability to catch it. Another was
coming, and jumping on its front plat
form l kept my eye fixed on the one
in front. The old gentleman soon went
inside, but 1 watched every one who
got off, making sure that he was not
among them. lie did not leave the car
till he had gone several miles into the
country-in fact, to the terminus of
the trolley road. When he did SO, my
car was SO far behind that could
barely see him get into a carriage and
drive away. On reaching the terminus
| described him to cabman, who
knew him, had seen him come in and
drive away, and he agreed for 81 to
take me to the gentleman'S place, q
mile distant. l was driven there and
in between two splendid pillars that
formed the gateway to n magnificent
country seat.
Meanwhile | had run over the con-
tents of the pOcketbook and found 1t
contained $500. l concluded, for
safety, TO divide the amount between
my various pockets, and there being no
one on the platform except the mo-
tOrman | was not observed in doing So
Before getting out of the cab l retrans-
ferred the amounts to the pOcketbOok.
Now. / am not Il person to accept
reward for returning found property,
but | wondered what the old man
would do to compensate me for my
trouble That Is, how would he con-
trlve to induce n gentleman. who could
not be rewarded as one in the Ordi-
nary walks of life, to accept some
token OF his appreciation. l found him
having juet missed his treasure and
In great distress. When l produced
his pocketbook he seized it eagerly,
danced about, cried a little, then re-
membering me asked me to be seated.
As 1 had left matter of importance
to follow him and was eager 20 get
back to it L declined and was taking
my leave when lie thrust his hand into
his vest pocket, took out two dollar
bill and handed it 10 me.
Il see" l said. for the cabman.
You are right. 1t would be an ungra-
cious act for me not to permit you to
bear any expense attending the return
OF your property"
/ turned and, jumping into the cab.
rode away.
l had been so ipcenSed at being of
fered 81 as reward for so much
trouble that l left without asking the
owner to count his money. He in turn
was so excited that he had forgotten
TO do 80. Instinctively ran my hands
through my pockets to see that l had
replaced ali the money and in my
right hip pocket found five 500 bills.
/ directed the driver TO return, but he
had no sooned started 10 do so than.
changed my mind. The old man should
pay some one for my trouble.
\ friend of mine-a lady-is very
much interested in Il day nursery. l
told her the circumstances of my find
gave her the $500 to return to the old
gentleman. suggesting that she ask
him for i donation. She cheerfully
acquieSced, took the money and getting
into her carriage drove to the owners
residence. Gaining an interview she
presented the cause OF her nursery and
asked for contribution.
Contribution. madam" lie exclaimed
I'm impoverished. Only yesterday l
lost 500" And he told her of his eX-
perience with his pocketbook. She
asked him 10 describe the man who
had returned il. and he did SO.
What will you give my nursery"
she asked, If L secure the return of
your SCOOP
Anything you ask"
"Ualf?"
''Great heavens! Half, Would you
take il aIlE"
We'll. l doubt If / can serve you,"
she said and got up TO leave. But the