The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-17
BY SPECIAL MESSENGER.
ny WAKING MITCHELL.

(Copyright, 1907, by Homer SpEdB ue.l
 On that certain Tuesday morntag, nc ntarf for the city from his country place he said to his daughter, Winnie;
 s'It Is possible that may want those Mexican bonds this afternoon. and here is the key of the safe. 1T nave 10 have them will send you a note by special messenger"
 The colonel was something of law yer, speculator and broker and MISS Winnie was his 19-year-old- daughter. She acted as his amanuensis at home and was pretty familiar with his busi- ness transactions. The bonds spoken of had a face value of $20,O00. but or late had been rather "wobbly" in the market and had caused the colonel considerable anxiety. At l o'clock that afternoon he wanted the bonds and tell ephoned his daughter to that effect, saying that he would send messenger. Instead of sending a boy from the reg ular service he stepped into the office of Jones next door and said.
 "Jones I want trusty fellow to run out to my house and bring me back some bonds. Haven't noticed a young man around here?"
 "Yes He's a nephew of mine. He's out now but write a line and I'll see him when he returns. He ought to go out to East Park and back in an hour"
 The colonel wrote line to Miss Win nie to deliver the bonds to bearer and then went out on "the sereet' on bus mess. Fifteen minutes later Jone's ne- phew was making for the Grand Gen. tral station as fast as the express in the subway would carry him.
 Jones hadn't given the young mans biography but 1t may be stated that his name was Vincent Gray, his age 22. and he was in the office of his un- cle to learn the devious ways of Wall street before setting up in business for himself on a comfortable fortune left by a deceased aunt. For a young man who expect to come in contact with bulls and bears and other animals, young Gray, was very trustful of hu- man nature. For instance while his train was speeding along underneath the streets and he was hanging to a strap and thinking of things financial young man with ambition leaned against him and picked his pocket without the least suspicion
 The light fingered youth found there only a card case and the letter to Miss Winnie. but they were sufficient to bring about several unlocked for re- suits. He passed into another car and opened and read the letter and he saw the golden opportunity he had been long looking for. In the card case were two or three dollar bills. The thief had right to infer that his vic- tim had no more money about him. He likewise had a right to infer that young Gray could not produce the wherewithal to buy a ticket for East Park. The fare was only 20 cents, but without 1t man is as badly off as if the sum was $5.
 There was a train ready to leave The thief bought his ticket and got aboard. Vincent Gray stood at the tick ct window and fused and fumbled and was left. His card case and money were gone and when he found that the letter had also taken wings, he re- alized that he was in trouble. He hadn't even nickle to get back to the office. He hadn't the wherewithal to telephone to his uncle Jones in New Street and after wasting fifteen minutes trying to figure out the problem. he made haste to a pawn shop, where he put down his watch for $5.
 The next train to East Park was ten minutes late In starting, and the same In reaching the Park, so there was in all fifty minutes lost. The young man had not suspected that he was the vic- tim of pickpocket. but supposed he had lost his property in the jam while boarding the car. He had been told that telephone message would pre- cede him, and he had remembered the address. Therefore he did not worry so much over the loss of the letter It was only when he came face to face with Winnie Graves and stated his er- rand and saw her look of surprise and ! distrust that he realized the situation l Why, sir. she replied. those bonds were delivered to a messenger more | than half an hour ago."
 But I was sent for them and was de- laved."
 If you were sent for them, you must have line from my father
 IT had d line, but unfortunately lost 1t, together with my money My name is Vincent Gray and l am In the office of Ezra Jones, in the same building with your father. I am afraid that some rascal found the lost letter and has taken advantage of it."
 And I am afraid that another ras- cal is trying to do the same thing exclaimed Miss Winnie's Aupt Ruth Whc was at the head of the house, anC who had entered the library just fl time to hear the young mans words.
 But. madam, you surely can't thini that I--'
 T can think what please. sir. Car you imagine We were idiotic enough tC give up those bonds without writer order from Colonel Graves?"
 But whoever presented .hat orde
 was an tnpositor."
 'Pcrnaps so. and perhaps it Is the i'm postor who is her now. Winnie, g
 to the telephone and ask your fathe