Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-07-20
! The Serene Nj. thomas.


hotel when Mr.. Thomas entered.
Mr.. Thomas was man of forty and
well dressed. He was plain Of face.
but he looked honest He had Glad
stone bag I'm his hand, and he carried
this over to the wardrobe and then re-
turned and sat down near me and cut
OF the end of a cigar. When he had
the weed alight queried:
"WeIl?"
WARN evening" he replied.
"But rather cold display of yours.
How do you manage to do it,"
II hope ! don't intrude-I hope l
don't" he observed.
"WelI, you are here without invita-
ton and without business, as far as
know. / thought engaged this room
for myself. Have you a prior claim|
mot at all In fact. I have no room
in the house. but just walked up. If
you viii permit me ! will order up
bottle Of cold champagne. ] am a bit
thirsty. and perhaps you would not OBJ
ject to half bother
nodded. and he walked over to the
bell. When boy came he gave the
order and paid for it. He opened the
bottle himself and served me with the
first glass When he had drunk he
said
II have figured 1t out. In fact.
figured 1t out long ago. Life is worth
the living only In one way. That Is
the serene way. If you can't live that
way, don't live at all"
but how are you going to escape
the troubles and worries and vexa-
tions?" | asked.
by having plenty of money. The
only thing that can befall the man
with plenty Of money is sickness. Sick
ness comes almost altogether through
carelessness. Use due care and sick
ness viii not come"
But how to get plenty of money?
l said.
"Yes, that was the problem with me
for years. gave the subject my most
earnest thought | had about arrived
at the conclusion that 1t was an utter
impossibility In my case when | got
a sudden inspiration. and, 10, the whole
mystery was solved. Nothing could be
easier"
Have you any objections to giving
that inspiration awayY'
"Not the slightest. Steal your mon
ey. Figure up about how much you
Will be satisfied with and then steal
1t. Yes steal It first and then get
away with it later on
looked at him to see IL he was jok-
Ing. He was serene. but he had
spoken In earnest. While l looked at
him he looked over at the bag.
And about that sudden Inspiration"
| asked. when do you propose to act
upon III"
Il acted about two hours ago." he
quietly replied I'm that bag over
there is 100000 belonging to my firm.
| have waited ten years to lay my
hands on 1t. The opportunity came at
closing time today. The first part of
the problem is solved. Now comes the
getting away to some other country"
Man, do you sit there and tell me
that you have just robbed your en-
ployers of foFtune?"
flush. tush. Be calm. Be serene.
Not the slightest call to raise your
voice. Yes, the money is there in the
bag. and I'm not worrying a bit about
It, For an hour before coming in here
was In room down the hall. |
should not have intruded except there
are certain things | want and you can
help me to do"
"Of all the cheeky things l ever
heard OF this takes the cake" l said
after a moment Of silence. IF You
have really stolen the money you may
be arrested at any moment"
"NOt the slightest danger" he re.
Piled. 1T will not be missed until
morning, and by that time shall be
on my way across the channel. do
not know how ! shall make out living
among the Frenchmen, but shall be
serene. no matter what comes. I see
that you have an American bag there.
! must ask you to exchange with me"
TN be hanged II do don't pro
pose to get mixed up In this thing. I'm
wondering now why don't ring the
bell and send for the police"
How foolish to get excitedP' he said,
his bag Is not known and will not
get you into any trouble. but by carry.
ing yours ! get more OF an American
look. have been practicing for year.
and don't believe that one could tell
from my speech that was English.
have the American chin whisker here.
and with your permission, I win glue
1t on"
He took false goatee from his pock.
ct and. stepped to the mirror and at.
tached 1t, and when he turned around I
was astonished at the change. Then
he tried on my hat, which was made in
New York, and hung up his in place
Of It. Then be asked:
win you kindly empty your bagY'
A movement Of his body showed me
the handle Of a pistol in his hind peck
ct. and ! complied. I stood there and
saw him change the bags, and l saw
the money he said he had stolen. There
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