The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-01-07
WHY THEY LIKE
AMERICA

lars, Hans said Gretchen, "lt would
be possible, but with nothing what
could We dot our wages are too small
to save anything. We should have to
pay all we earn for board and would
never have home. Let us wait
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 SEQ during the year and II 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
long while to Hans. Besides, a 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 a 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 IL 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 1t and found $3.50 in bills.
he carried Il to Gretchen, and they
consulted what they should do. Nell
ther OF them thought for a moment to
keep what would be a 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 point
near where he had found the pocket
book. saw notice posted OF the loss
and saying that If 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. 1--WE 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 it
disagreeable looking creature with
,blear eyes, snaggle teeth, a hook nose
and n cunning expression. Hans hand
ed him the pocketbook. He opened 1t,
felt of 1t, looked in 1t and, Affecting
great surprise. asked:
We're is the dl'monds?"
"What diamonds?"
1.-THE dfmonds that we're In the pock-
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 &C
cused OF swindling and especially at
his accuser's evident intention to de-
prlve him of the promised reward.
made Il 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 cues.
toned Hans. drawing out the circum-
stances Of finding the treasure and his
returning 1t. 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 diamondsY'
NO dfmonds. your honor"
why didn't you mention themY'
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"
"The contract you made with the
finder was to return a pocketbook CON
tanning $3.50 and you would give him
quarter Of the amount for a rewardT'
Eyes, your honor.n
every well 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 IL he never calls for them they are
yours"
The Jew protested. but the magis.
trate was Infexible. He cried and
wrung his hands. while Hans walked
away with the pocketbook. followed by
the Jew, who offered him all the mon
ey IL he would give up the pocketbook.