Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1907-09-13
THE MAN WITH
AN HONEST FACE.
BY C. L. EDISON.

PIC II uoL Ill llC, IL maui SOoo WooASh
love me. / was only a child when
people began renarking, "a boy with
eyes like that could never tell a lie."
And my mother would reply, Yes,
Willie is good boy. He's so re-
liable" And SO | grew up with rep
utation. And SO | won the love OF
Helen.
Helen was the sweetest and most
sensible girl in the village. She was
deep, that girl was. There was more
to her than her pretty eyes and laugh
ing lips. Well, when l fell up to my
eyebrows in love with Helen l re-
solved to go to the city and try my
fortune.
1t was on a ST. Louis trip that l
went fiat. Got into the city on Sun
day without any money except check
for $500. l had left Kansas City rid
ing on a pass, but the train went
dead and l bought a ticket at Boon
vile over the other road. That used
up my spare cash. l did not have
the nerve to telegraph for funds.
Well, there l was, broke and far
from home and friends.
| stood bewildered before the hotel
door when newsboy said, Paper,
mister?"
Pm dead broke" l said.
A gentleman who overhead the re-
mark approached me and asked If a
loan would be acceptable to me. l
explained my financial condition and
he said, Accept the use of this and
you can leave it for me with the clerk
when you cash your check" He gave
me twenty-doliar bill and his card.
How dare you trust a stranger in
this way?" l asked.
my FRIEND he said, Il have trav-
eaed and observed men. l know an
honest face. You have one. l am 60
ing to Kansas City next week and you
may pay me when l meet you there.
know that you are just what you
represent yourself to me-" l tried to
refuse his proffer of the money, but
he insisted, saying that l was as safe
as a government bond bearing the
face of George Washington.
That's what an honest face is worth.
When I returned to Kansas City
took the local. l was felicitating my
self on my possession Of poor but
honest physiognomy when the man In
the seat beside me noticed the des-
tination on my ticket. Drawing a
loI1 hi dollar from
his pocket he handed them to me and
Eaid
Il see where they're selling silk
umbrellas cheap in Kansas City and
I'd take it. as a great favor If you'd
buy one and tell 'em to send it to
Bill Jones at Jefferson City. l want
a nice birthday present for my niece. q
At this tribute to my honest looks
l felt too fiattered to refuse. prom
ised to perform the errand.
Another man turned around, looked
at my classic mug minute, then
dived into his pocket and drew forth
forty dollars.
"Neighbor, as you are going to Kan.
sas City," he said, you wouldn't
mind handing this to the Puffton Auto
noble company, would you? I've been
owing 'em this for quite a while, but
never had it convenient before"
took the roll, but began to feel
the uneasiness of my position.
Well, all the way to Kansas City
those Missouri farmers kept getting
on and off that local. spotting my
sterling cast of countenance and Civ.
ing me their money to hold. When
1 got to Kansas City I actually had
$92,276.50 stuffed into my clothes, and
the responsibility had me half crazed
Before performing the errands l went
to Doc Dimpleface and said, doc,
said l, get out your meat hooks for
an operation. want you to make my
face look like that of a sneak-thief, q
petty crook or a life insurance presi
dent"
DOC" gave me couple of light
jabs with his scalpel. and twist OF
the muscles here and there, until my
face looked much like Bertillon por.
trait.
"That satisfactory" says the doc. u
Quite" says /. "And may as well
tell you that I am having this done
in order to prevent people giving me
money. An honest face is terrible
thing, Doc. and I'm so overloaded with
the burden that I can't carry any
more"
l stepped carelessly into the street
with my new face and prepared to
execute my errand. A man approached
me Immediately.
NO." l said, impulsively. Il can.
not accept your money. cannot
carry any more"
"You look like crook to me-
"Ho! Thanks. The Doc has done
his work." I interrupted. mo more
commissions, no more"
"And you'll do me the honor to &C
company me to the station" my new
acquaintance continued.
They found the $s2,276.50 on me
and put it in the safe.
THAT money doesn't belong to me- "
I insisted.
I'VE know that" they jeered.
And when I had sent for Helen to
come and identify me, she only peered
between the bars, gave shrek and
exclaimed:
me know that man! My John had
an honest face. This hideous Grim
inal is not John"
And so I am left alone. There is
no one to burden me with their con.
fdences, no one to believe me when
I tell them
Why, even you, gentle reader. would
not believe me under oath. Now
9-Kancoc