Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-02-03
TIE MAN WITH
AN HONEST FACE,
BIZ c. L. EDISON.


love j. / was only a child when
people began remarking, "A boy with
eyes like that could never tell a lie"
And my mother would reply, Yes,
Willie is a good boy. He's so re-
liable" And so grew up with rep
utation. And so won the love of
Helen.
Helen was the sweetest and most
sensible girl in the village. She was
deep, that girl was. There was more
to her than her pretty eyes and laugh
ing lips. Well, when fell up to my
eyebrows in love with Helen | re-
solved to go to the city and try my
fortune.
It was on a st. Louis trip that
went fiat. Got into the city on Sun
day without any money except q check
for 500. l had left Kansas City rid
ing on a pass, but the train went
dead and | bought ticket at Boon
Vile over the other road. That used
up my spare cash. did not have
the nerve to telegraph for funds.
Well, there was, broke and far
from home and friends.
l stood bewildered before the hotel
door when newsboy said, Paper,
mister"
I'm dead broke" l said.
A gentleman who overhead the re-
mark approached me and asked il q
loan would be acceptable to me.
explained my financial condition and
! he said. Accept the use OF this and
you can leave It for me with the clerk
when you cash your check" He gave
me twenty dollar bill and his card.
How dare you trust stranger In
this way?' asked.
my friend, he said, II have trav-
eled and observed men. l know an
honest face. You have one. I am 60
ing to Kansas City next week and you
may pay me when / meet you there.
/ know that you are just what you
represent yourself to me-" tried to
refuse his proffer of the money, but
he insisted, saying that was as safe
as a government bond bearing the
face of George Washington.
That's what an honest face is worth.
When / returned to Kansas City l
took the local was felicitating my,
self on my possession OF poor but
honest physiognomy when the man in
the seat beside me noticed the des-
tination on my ticket. Drawing a
five-dollar bill and silver dollar from
his pocket he handed them to me and
eaidi axa ~A-ss, =
Umbrellas cheap. In Kansas City and
I'd take it as great favor II you'd
buy one and tell 'em to send it to
Bill Jones at jefferson City. / want
a nice birthday present for my niece"
At this tribute to my honest looks
I felt too flattered to refuse. | prom
Used to perform the errand.
Another man turned around, looked
at my classic mug minute, then
dived into his pocket and drew forth
forty dollars.
"Neighbor, as you are going to Kan
sas City," he said, you wouldn't
mind handing this to the Puffton Auto
mobile company, would you? I've been
OWkn6 gill Llilo lOi QutAS q WhilCs Jul
never had it convenient before"
took the roll, but | began to feel
the uneasiness of my position.
Well, all the way to Kansas City
those Missouri farmers kept getting
on and off that local, spotting my
sterling cast of countenance and CIV
ing me their money to hold. When
l got to Kansas City | actually had
$92,276.50 stuffed into my clothes, ana
the responsibility had me half crazed.
Before performing the errands | went
to Doc Dimpleface and said, Doc"
said |. get out your meat hooks for
an operation. | want you to make my
face look like that of sneak-thief, a
petty crook or life insurance presi-
dent"
doc" gave me a couple of light
jabs with his scaipel, and a twist of
the muscles here and there, until my
face looked much Ike a Bertillon por-
trait
THAT satisfactory" says the doc"
quite" says l. "And may as wen
tell you that l am having this done
IN order 10 prevent people giving me
money. An honest face is terrible
hing, Doc, and I'm so overloaded with
FRe burden that | can't carry any
,re"
stepped carelessly into the street
With my new face and prepared to
EXECUTE my errand. A man approached
bio Immediately
NO." said, impulsively. Il can
OF accept your money. l cannot
airy any more
you look like a crook to me"
"Ho Thanks, The Doc has done
S work" | interrupted. mo more
bmmissions, no more
And you'll do me the honor to ac-
mpany me to the station" my new
quaintance continued.
They found the s92,276.5O on me
ID put it in the safe.
That money doesn't belong to me,
insisted.
We know that" they ieered