The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-27
TWO LOSSES, PLUS.
Rx CharIes W. s. Read.


 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 steam CT from Liverpool, but who failed to make an appearance.
 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 a year before, and never having been in the big city. she was anxious to look around a bit. The neice had some shopping to do, and they had put in a 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 ali she saw. Her exclamations of surprise gave young man a chance to make 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 it, and you took 1t from me just as we came in"
 well, it's gone"
 You don't mean it?"
 "But do Somebody has got 1t with in the last ten minutes. You may call me an idiot all the rest of my days"
 The young man had also departed, and no doubt in company with the bag Miss Nettie went into a fit of laughter at first, but she soon realized that the loss of the money might prove a very serious matter. To avoid the queries of the other spectators, they went out side in the lobby to talk things over. Aunt Mary had noticed the lay figures there on entering, and could hardly be convinced that the policeman, boot black, Uncle Reuben and others not living. breathing human beings. She had no eyes and no interest now. how ever She had lost $S0 in cold cash, and there was a hotel bill to pay, and the railroad fare home.
 'It puts us in a bad predicament," said the girl, because we are stopping at a hotel where they don't know me, and two or three c. O. D. parcels will be delivered early tomorrow morning. It is just possible that we may find some one from out town stopping at the hotel, and can borrow a few dol lars"
 "I'n never forgive myself-never" exclaimed Aunt Mary, as the tears filled her eyes. Think of a woman of my age having her pocket pickedi 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 I was careful not to bring any of my jewelry, and that wedding ring and pin of yours wouldn't fetch two dollars. We can't even tele- graph to pa unless they will trust us. and they say the telegraph company IS very particular about that Whats the matter, Aunt?"
 The old lady had uttered half-shriek and started back from one of the lay figures and was looking at it with bulging eyes.
 'T-I thought you said they were wax" she gasped.
 So they are"
 But I'll take my dying oath that one moved a little!"
 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 Yale student named Walter Thompson had added to his demerit marks by talk ing the train for New York to have a 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 face the mu- sic
 During the day he managed to brace up. but the bracing took the rest Of hls cash, and he had only a quarter in his pocket when he came to halt at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue, and the women bound for the wax works show, passed him.
 young man must be worse than embarrassed financially not to take second look at a handsome girl passing him on the street After the students second look he followed the women' and as it happened to be a 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 1T he was she did not charge him with being the pick pocket who despoiled them He looked too honest and respectable for that. When he overheard them speaking of their loss he edged toward the door, and once outside he lifted a dummy aside and took its place At another time-at a time when he was hitnself-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 | If they were wondering how they were | .o nav the railroad fare home, it was