Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-04
D4ILY. STORY.
WHY THEY LIKE AMERICA.

1
pay all we earn for board and would
never have a home. Let us wait
awhile"
i Hans did wait awhile, but there
seemed no more prospect after it than
before, and he grew impatient. Gretch-
en- coaxed him, telling him she had
saved $50 during the year and if he
would save the same in three years they
would have enough to buy furniture
and could go to housekeeping. Then
together they might live cheaper than
apart and save more money for the
family to come. Three years seemed
q long while to Hans. Besides, n man
is not as good at saving as a woman,
and he had not put by more than half
what Gretchen had.
One day when Hans was walking on
| the street he saw right under his nose
a fat pocketbook. Some one had evil
! IDENTIFY dropped it but moment before,
| for people were passing continually.
| Hans picked it up and hurried on,
| thinking to overtake the owner, for he
| was an honest fellow, and every one
he passed he asked if he had dropped
| anything All looked at him in sur
prise. and some felt in their pockets
but no one claimed the property. Then
Hans. thinking that the loser must
have been going the other way, desist-
ed. He took the pocketboOk to his
room, opened it and found $3.50 in bills.
He carried it to Gretchen, and they
| consulted what they should do. Nei-
ther of them thought for moment to
keep what would be a treasure to
hot
should take it to the police. who would
doubtless try to find the owner.
The next morning Hans started for
the police Office and, passing Il point
near where he had found the pocket
book, saw a notice posted of the loss
and saying that if it, with its contents,
was returned quarter of the con-
tents would be given to the finder.
Hans went back to Gretchen and told
her of the notice. I'VE are in great
luck" he said. "a quarter of $3.50 is
S162. 80. With that we can buy enough
furniture TO commence housekeeping.
Gretchen admitted that it would GER
tainly bring them nearer to their de-
sires and advised him to go at once
and deliver the money.
He found the man who had lost il
disagreeable looking creature with
blear eyes, snaggle teeth, hook nose
and cunning expression. Hans hand
ed him the pocketbook. He opened it,
felt of it, looked in it and, affecting
great surprise. asked:
were is the di'monds?"
"What diamonds?'
1.-THE dimOndS that we're in the peck
etbook with the monish."
Hans declared that there were no
diamonds, whereupon the Jew began
to abuse him for a thief. Hans, be-
side himself with rage at being ac-
cused of swindling and especially at
his accuser's evident intention to de-
prive him of the promised reward,
made a dash for the pocketbook. The
Jew cried Justify for the police, and an
officer came running into the shop.
Hans and the Jew stated their case,
and the officer took them before mag
istrate. together with the pocketbook
and its contents. The magistrate heard
the story of each. giving especial atten-
ton to the Jews statement, asking him
many questions respecting the jewelry
their size and value. Then he ques-
toned Hans, drawing out the circum-
SliuceS Oh HutllS tie IFedSuTe ana his
returning it. When he was satisfied as
to the merits of the case he turned to
the Jew and asked:
For what did you advertiser
"A lost pocketbook, your honor, con-
tanning $3.50"
"And how many diamonds?''
''No di'monds, your honor
"Why didn't you mention them?"
Because didn't want any one who
found them to know what they was"
''That was very prudent of you.
Knowing their value. the finders would
have been more likely to keep them"
"Yes. your honor"
"And the money and the diamonds
were in the pocketbook?''
Eyes, your honor"
1.-THE contract you made with the
finder was to return q pocketbook con-
tanning $3.50 and you would give him a
quarter of the amount for a reward?-
Eyes, your honor
Every we'll Since this pocketbook
contained only $3.50 and no diamonds
it can't be yours" Then, turning to
Hans: "You keep the pocketbook and
the $3.50 until the owner calls for them,
and If he never callS for them they are
yours"
The Jew protested, but the magis-
trate was infiexible. He cried and
wrung his hands, while Hans walked
away with the pocketbook. followed by |
the Jew, who offered him all the mon
ey if he would give up the pocketbook.
Hans would do nothing till he had seen
Gretchen, so he declined the offer. The
Jew offered more and more money till
by the time he had reached Gretchen
the amount was $4,000. The lovers Of
fered to accept the amount if he would
state his reasons for Offering so much,
whereupon the Jew asked them to
open the pocketbook and showed them