The daily Alaskan., 1905-02-10
4 Voluntary Subscription
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NAfN NNAN PANN bAAAos AAA INNeaAaf -ANN-@ the thickness of the pile there must have been twenty or thirty of tEem. l left the bank and stood on the sidewalk waiting for a trolley car, Just cs one came along the old gentleman came up and got into it. taking a sat or the side opposite him. He was rest less little man, frequently changing his position, and during the ride he took the pocketbook l had seen him han ding at the bank from side pocket and stuffed 1t into his 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, l spranS for it. rushed to the door and, without waiting for the car to stop, jumped or.
 Running back a block, came to a| trolley line crossing. A car had stopped and was just moving on when l came up. On its rear platform stood the man I was looking for. By the time l reached the corner the car was nov ing so rapidly that l 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 I watched every one who got of. making sure that he Yas not among them. He did not leave the car till he had gone several miles into the country-in fact, 10 the terminus of the trolley road. When he did so, my car was so far behind that l could barely see him get into carriage and drive away. On reaching the terminus 1 described him to cabman, who knew him, had seen him come in and drive away, and be agreed for S2 to take me to the geuueman's place, a mile distant. I was driven there and in between two splendid pillars that formed the gateway to d magnificent country seat
 Meanwhile l had run over the con tents of the pocGetbOok and found 1t contained $2,5OO. 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 retruns- ferred the amounts to the poc6etboOk.
 Now, 1 am not a person to accept reward for returning found property, but I wondered what the old man would do tO compensate ne for my trouble. That Is, how would he con trlye to induce a 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 lust 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 I had left'a a matter of importance to follow him and was eager to gei back to 1t l declined and was taking my leave when he thrust his hand into bis west pocket, took out a two dollar bill and handed 1t to me.
 'I see" l said, flor the cabman. You are right. It would be an ungra- cious act for me not to permit you to bear any expense attending the return of your property
 I turned and, jumping into the cab. rode away.
 l had been so incensed at being of fered s as a reward for so much trouble that I left without asking the owner to count his money. He in turn was so excited that he had forgotten to do so. Instinctively l ran my hands through my pockets to see that had replaced all the money and in my right hip pocket found five SlOO bills. I directed the driver to return, but he had no soOned started to do so than l changed my mind. The old man should pay some one for my trouble.
 A friend of mine-a lady-is very much interested in 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 a donation. She cheerfully acuuiesced, took the money and getting into her carriage drove to the owners residence Gaining an interview she presented the cause of ber nursery and asked for contribution.
 "Contribuuon. maJum"' LC 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 it, and he did so.
 What will you give my nursery, sae asked, If | secure the return Of your $JOO?'
 Anything you ask"
 "Half%
 "Great heavens! Half! Would you take it all:"
 Well. l doubt if can serve you, she said and got up to leave. But the