The Cairo bulletin., 1905-08-29
C0MMUTER
TESTS MRS. C.
FINDS NOBLE WOMAN ABSo-
LUTELY HONEST IN THEORY.


Of IL.
AT Caldwell two men began to argue
on the general cussedness of human ma
ture. One was pessimist. the other an
optimist The optimist did most of the
talking.
1.-The average man said he, is hon.
sst. | will prove 1t to you right now.
There are at present 80 men in this ear,
and not one OF them | venture to say,
will claim anything that does not be-
long to him
THE cynic admitted that they were,
indeed pretty decent lot. But I'd ad-
wise you to go slow, he said. How do
you propose to test them?'
This way. said the optimist I have
In my pocket scarfpin that have
never worn. only bought II yesterday.
aud am taking it to town to-day to give
it to my wife's nephew as a birthday
present. Now. | am willing to give the
impression that found 1t in this car.
If anybody has nerve enough to claim
it as his, he may have it.
1.-The eyinc agreed to these conditions,
and the porter was called.
"'Will you ascertain said the OPP
tlmist. If anybody in this car has lost
anything recently?
The porter walked up and down the
aisle and bawled out at the top of his
voice: Lost property found; lost prop
erty found Who does it belong to-?
This gentleman has it,
Everybody looked through then
pockets, and several persons claimed TO
be poorer than when they left home
Three had lost money. one watch
charm, somebody else bunch of keys.
and another signet ring. Presently
man sitting near the middle OF the car
jumped up and said:
by George! | kaye lost a scarfpin.'
What kind Of pin was it?' asked
the optimist
IT was an opal set in gold hand
of Egyptian workmanship, was the
reply
THE optimst nearly dropped. Is
this it?' he asked, and showed his own
scarfpin.
1T is said the man. and he took
the pin.
THE optimist was disheartened. He
had lost valuable pin. and his faith
In the honesty Of mankind at the same
time, and the double blow was enough
to floor him The cynic, although secret
" delighted was puzzled
"Of course he said, you can't
squeal. You've agreed to let the fellow
keep the pin. and you're bound in honor
to do it. but I'd demand an explanation
! If were you The circumstances art
really remarkable, and that much /.
| due you.
THE optimist thought so,-too, SO ht
went back and sat down beside the MAJ
who had filched his pin
Sir said the optimist. there is nc
need for me to tell you that you are al
Internal rascal. You know that as wet
as | do. You are aware that that pm doe
not belong to YOU What | would likt
to know is how you were able to describe
1t so accurately
Then the optimist proceeded to relate
his previous conversation with the cynic
TIE young man listened with keen ap
probation. He did not get mad.
Sir, he said, when it came his time
to talk. perhaps | am not such villain
as you think. | could describe this pin
because it belongs to me- | lost it tiye
years ago. | have been looking for II
ever since knew that should find il
some time In all these years, whenever
heard OF man finding anything, I have
butted In With a description OF that pin
hoping that he might have it, have
been particularly anxious to get 1t in the
last two years. am married now. anl
want to get the opal set in ring fol
my wife | thank YOU for returning II
| to me.
The optimist listened, but he was mo-
convinced 1 now understand the situa
ion, he said, but still think you are q
rascal. In my opinion you have no righ
to that pin. | bought it yesterday II
! good faith, and consider that it belongs
| to me-.
/ Finally they submitted the question
| TO the rest of the men in the car Opin
| ion was divided Some thought tn,
! young man entitled to the pin, other.
that Diogenes had the best claim ts
l.it.t'
II am surprised put in the com
muters wife, that there should be an,
/ disagreement. OF course, it belonged
/ to Diogenes. Tho ethics of the case
are as plain as pikessaff to anybody
except that young man"
Thanks, said the commuter. "Tha
was the point wanted your opinion
on"
/ There was brief silence. Present.!
| the commuters wife looked at her hus
bands flushed face, at his wilted col
lar, and the tie beneath.
Why, where did you get that pin?'
| she asked "Inever saw 1t before. All
! opal set in a gold hand--well, upon m.
word You don't mean to say
Yes" said the commuter, Il do.
wanted the opal for you, but since yol
think have no right to it."
pco;d IN nn,,, - .,,;r~ ullo 4.