The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-02-16
WHY THEY LIKE
AMERICA

pay all we earn for board and would
never have a home. Let Us walt
awhile"
Hans did wait awhile, but there
seemed no more prospect after 1t than
before, and he grew impatient. Crotch
en- coaxed him, telling him she had
saved $50 during the year and II he
would save the same In three years they
would have enough to buy furniture
and could go 10 housekeeping Then
together they might live cheaper than
apart and save more money for the
family to come. Three years seemed
a long while to Hans. Besides, man
is not as good at saving as 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
fat pocketbook. Some one had evil
IDENTITY dropped II but a moment before
for people were passing continually.
Hans picked IL up and hurried on.
thinking to Overtake the owner, for he
was an honest fellow, and every one
he passed no 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. deslst-
ed. He took the pocketbook to his
| room, opened II and found $3.50 In bills.
| He carried II to Gretchen, and they
consulted what they should do. Mel
Their of them thought for moment to
keep what would be treasure to
both, and they decided that Hans
should take II to the police, who would
doubtless try to find the owner.
The next morning Hans started for
the police Office and, passing a point
near where he had found the pocket
book, saw a notice posted of the loss
and saying that II 1t, 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
$162.50. With that we can buy enough
furniture TO commence housekeeping.
Gretchen admitted that 1t 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 II
disagreeable looking creature with
blear eyes, snaggle teeth, hook nose
and cunning expression. Hans hand
cd him the pocketboOk. He opened 1t,
felt OF It, looked in it and, affecting
great surprise, asked:
We're Is the dPmondsT"
"What dlamonds?"
''The dPmonds that we're In the peck
etbook with the monlsh"
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 swindllng and especially at
his accuser's evident intention to de
prive him of the promised reward.
made 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 a mag
istrate. together with the pocketbook
and Its contents. The magistrate heard
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-
stances OF finding the treasure and his
returning II. When he was satisfied as
to the merits Of the case he turned to
the jew and asked;
For what did you advertise p
"a lost pocketbook, your honor, con-
talning $3.50"
And how many dlamondsY'
mo dfmonds, your honor"
"Why didn't you mention themY'
because l 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 aud the diamonds
were In the pocketbOok -
Eyes. your honor"
"The contract YOU made with the
finder was to return a pocketbook con.
tanning $3.50 and you would give him a
quarter of the amount for rewardY'
Yes. your honor"
very well. Since this pocketbook
contained only $3.50 and no diamonds
Il can't be yours" Then. turning to
Hans; "You keep the pocketbook and
the $3.50 until the owner calls for them,
and II he never calls for them they are
yours"
The jew protested. hut the magis-
trate was mfexlhle. lie cried and
wrung his hands, while Hans walked
away with the pockethOok. followed by
the Jew. who offered him all the mon
ey II he would give UP the pocketbook. I
Hans would do nothing TIL he had seen
Gretchen 80 he declined the offer The /
Jew offered more and more money tiIl |
by the time he had reached Gretchen
the amount was S60Oo: The lovers of. +
fered To accept the amount IL be would +
state his reasons for offering SO much, f
whereupon the Jew asked them TO +