The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-11-13
Two Losses,
Plus
By CHARLES W. S. READ
Copyright, 1909, by W. R. caldwell

/ Copyright, 1908, by w. r. Caldwell
/
Miss Nettie Blank and her Aunt
Mary had come down to New York
city from Connecticut to meet Miss
Nettie's brother, who was to arrive
on a steamer from Liverpool. but who
failed to make an appearance.
A cablegram had reached the house
not ten minutes after they left it. but
that only deferred the explanation.
Aunt Mary had resided in Wisconsin
up to year before, and, never having
| been in the big city, she was anxious
to look around a bit. The niece had
some shopping to do, and they had put
In couple Of days when what Aunt
Mary called the tragedy happened
| They were visiting waxworks show
in the evening. and the old lady was
nightly taken with all she saw. Her
EXPLANATIONS of surprise gave young
man chance to make a few remarks
and attach himself to the pair, and the
result was that when they were ready
to leave the place Aunt Mary suddenly
exclaimed:
"Nettie, have you got the bag with
the money in it,"
"No, You were afraid I'd lose 1t.
and you took 1t from me just as we
came in"
well, It's gone!'
you don't mean itr'
"But l do. Somebody has got it
/ within the last ten minutes. You may
all me an idiot all the rest of my life"
The young man had also departed,
and no doubt In company with the
bag. Miss Nettie went into q fit of
laughter at first, but she soon realized
that the loss Of the money mIght prove
very serious matter. To avoid the
queries of the other spectators they
went outside in the lobby to talk
| things over. Aunt Mary had noticed
the lay figures there on entering and
could hardly be convinced that the Do
! liceman, b0otblack, Uncle Reuben and
others were not living, breathing hui
man beings. She had no eyes and no
interest now, however. She had lost
bill TO pay and the railroad fare home
ut puts Us in bad predicament,"
| said the girl, because we are stopping
at hotel where they don't know me,
and two or three c. o. D.. parcels will
be delivered early tomorrow morning.
1t is Just possible that we may find
some one from out Of town stopping at
the hotel and can borrow a few dol
lars
I'm never forgive myself neverT
exclaimed Aunt Mary as the tears fill
ed her eyes. Think of a woman of my
age having her pocket picked! shall
be ashamed to face them at home
They'll make fun Of me to the end of
time. Have we got anything we can
pawn?"
Nothing. l was careful not to bring
any of my jewelry, and that wedding
ring and breastpin Of yours wouldn't
fetch SO. We can't even telegraph to
pa unless they will trust us, and they
say the telegraph company Is very par
ticular about that. What's the mat
ter, aunty?"
| The old lady had uttered a half shrek
and started back from one of the lay
| figures and was looking at 1t with bulg-
ing eyes.
II thought you said they were
wax!' she gasped.
80 they are
But I'll take my dying oath that one
moved littlev'
Nonsense! You are all worked up
about the loss Of the money. We shall
have to walk back TO our hotel, and we
might as well be moving on"
| A week previous to this incident q
Yale student named Walter Thompson
bad added to his demerit marks by
taking the train for New York to have
real good time He had it and awoke
one morning to find himself almost
penniless and very much ashamed Of
himself. He had made matters so
much worse than they were before that
he hated to go back and Ease the music
During the day he managed to brace
| up, but the bracing took the rest of his
cash. and he had only quarter in his
| pocket when he came TO a halt at the
corner Of Broadway ana Fifth avenue,
and the women, bound for the wax
works show, passed him.
| A young man must be worse than
embarrassed financially not to take
| second look at handsome girl passing
! him on the street. After the students
second look he followed the women,
and as it happened to be half rate
evening his quarter bought him
| ticket
He may or may not have been no
| ticed by Miss Nettie as he loitered about
with other spectators, but II he was
she did not charge him with being the
pickpocket who despoiled them. He
looked too honest and respectable for
| that. When he overheard them speak
| ing of their loss he edged toward the
door, and once outside he lifted dunn
| my aside and took its place. At an
other time-at time when he was
himself-he would have offered his
| services frankly, but he hadn't the
cheek just then If they had lost their
money, he also was without resources
| But I've got to help them out of
| their trouble some way" he unused
| after they had departed from the mu-
scum and he had started to follow
| them at respectful distance Don't
go much on old ladies outside Of the
mater. but that girl is a sumner. 1t
would break my heart II she cried over
| this trouble. Magnificent hair and
| glorious eyes! Just the sort of face
| I've dreamed about Lots of style and
60 about her Broke, and yet I've got
to help her"
The ladies were followed 10 the hn-
| tel AS they passed around to the
ladies' entrance young Thompson en-
| tered by the front and walked up to
the desk and inspected the register.
He soon found their names; also the
name of citizen from their town who
was reputed to be wealthy.
III all probability they would apply
to this gentleman for loan. II not
loan they would at least ask that
he telegraph for them. The thought
provoked the student 1t was for him
| and no one else to help them out of
| their trouble.
| Noting the number of the mans room.
| he turned from the desk to the ele-
vator and was landed on the fourth
floor. Four doors down the hall was
the right door. The student did not
ask himself why he was going there,
but went When there was no answer
he turned the knob and the door open
ed. There was no one in the room, but
| there was evidencesthat some one had
| just stepped out in hurry and might
be expected back at any moment.
A still smoking cigar lay on an ash
receiver, and a partly open grip was
on the table One look into the grip
and Thompson had possession Of roll