Smyrna times., 1906-11-14

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.
In all probability they would apply
to this gentleman for a loan. If 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 evidence that some one had
just stepped out in a 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
Of bills. He did not stop to count
them, but backed out and hurried down
the hall to another elevator. Ten min
utes later re was tapping at the door
of Miss Nettie's room and ready to say
to her as soon as it was opened:
"a thousand pardons, Miss Blank,
but l was at the waXwOrks when you
met with your loss and learned that
it was likely to Inconvenience you con-
s,derably. l know your family by
name, as perhaps you do mine-the
Thompsons-and if l might make so
bold as to-
He had the roll of bills in his hand,
and the girl instantly OWNED his good
| intentions.
''It is kind of you, indeed" she re-
! piled, but we came back to the hotel
to find ourselves in great good luck.
My Uncle Billy is ON the floor above.
! l had him down here minute ago to
tell him of our loss, and he has gone
|
now. the dear old soulr'
what in thunder and blazes and
Texas and several other things do you
think has happened?" shouted the old
gentleman while yet a hundred feet
away.
"Why. uncle. what is it? This is Mr.
Thompson. His people live only few
miles from u.s.
81 don't care a tinker's dam about
the ThOmpsons or where they liver
shouted the irascible uncle. 1--WE beer
robbed in this hotel! Yes, sir, I've
been robbed of $50Or'
''Why, uncle Billy, is it possibleT
''Some one entered my room ant
took it out of my satchel while 1 wal
down here. Thought had locked tn,
door, but l guess I didn't. I'm goin;
down to tell the hotel folks that II
sue 'em for double the amount"
But he didn't. 1t was an embarrass
ing situation for the student, but for
tunately he saw that he must tell
straight story to be believed. Whel
he had told it he grabbed for his ha
and asked for five minutes start O
the police, but they gave him a grea
deal longer one than that. In fact tn
humor of the situation got on tn
nerves of all four after awhile, an
when they had got over laughing an
talking about curious condolences an
truth being stranger than fiction ther
was something like good fellowship a
round. Nobody had to leave an unpai
hotel bill, and nobody had to walk I
Connecticut.
"What! Are Walter Thompson an
: Miss Nettie Blank in love?' asked IL
village gossip.
I'm love! Why. they're engaged, an
e Miss Blanks uncle gave them $500 fl
an engagement present"