Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-09-26

believe that his crime might be con-
doned and a new start made. He was
told that he should have free room and
board until he could look around Ad-
vertisements should be put in the pa
pers TO aid him. Miss Sheffin herself
would go TO various stores and offices
and use her personal influence.
Il wish you joy of him. said the
landlady when the arrangements had
been completed and the young man had
gone out to make his'first application.
please do not be so hard hearted.
Mrs. Thomas" was the reply. 1T is a
genuine case Of distress, If ever saw
one. Imagine an educated, intelligent
young man, willing to do anything to
earn his way. being compelled to walk
around hungry for two days in this
great city"
81 can't imagine it,"
But why would he lie to me?''
"Why have hundred just like him
lied to me?"
Il tell you, Mrs. Thomas, that human
nature is good if you will only give it
chance. If l hadn't spoken To the
young man he would have been dead
under the wheels Of a car ere this, and
| should never have forgiven myself.
l shall find him a place and make Il
man of him once again, and he will be
grateful all his days"
During the next four days the tin
horn man was looking for a place be-
tween meals, and Miss Shefllin was
making personal calls here and there.
She met with no luck, but as some Of
the boarders smelled whisky on Tin
Horn they thought lie must be doing
we'll
On the fourth night, after the phian-
thrOpist and her subject had had their
usual talk and he had shed more tears
than usual, he went up to bed at sharp
. o'clock. He wanted TO get an earlier
start than usual.
The spinster followed half an hour
later She found her door shut, but
unlocked. and as she stepped into the
dark room and felt for the matches
some one clapped a hand over her
mouth and tossed her on TO the bed
and had her bound hand and foot and
gagged with a towel before she under
stood what was taking place. Then
the gas. was lit the door locked, and
the tin horn man quietly said:
IF you make a fool of yourself I'll
choke the life out of you by way of
that scrawny neck of yours"
20, Ii. a
to speak in reply, and for her benefit
he explained:
I'm after those sparklers in your
ears and on your fingers and also
what cash you have lying around"
With her eyes she protested against
this specimen of human ingratitude.
He understood and laughed and said:
You are homely enough to stop a
clock. and the idea of your wearing
diamonds is absurd. Take snooze
now while | rumnage about"
Her trunk was not locked From ii
he took $500 in cash and other jewelry.
From about her neck he took a long
chain and fine watch. From her
ears he took diamond pendants. and
from her fingers he roughly pulled her
rings. She tried TO yell, but the towel
mufIied her voice. She tried to scratch.
but her hands were tied with cords
he had provided for the purpose She
tried TO kick, but her ankles were
dashed fast, and the effort was not a
success
Take ii easy. old gal" laughed Tin
Horn. Il thought you had the DISPOSE
tion OF kitten, but | see you are an
old eat. Let me see. | have watch.
rings. earrings and money. | don't
think there is anything else to take
away. Your dresses would be no
good, because they are last years
style. Yes; think this Is all, and l
will now descend by the fire escape
and leave you to figure il out. Ex-
cuse me while tie your ankles to the
bedpost can't have you rolling off
and giving the alarm too soon. So
long TO you. old gal. and don't let this
little episode discourage you from re-
forming the remainder of the world"
They found her after a time, but
Miss Shefiiin was no longer philan-
thropist. She was simply very mad
old maid.