Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-07-31
Oh. !. u. EvELETH, successor
to DR.. jennings, makes . speciality
Of Crown and Bridge Work.
the POINT
OF view

"A queer thing happened on tn
train this morning said the commu
ter to his wife. II am going to put tn,
situation to you and see what yo,
think Of 1t.
"At Caldwell two men began to ar
que on the general cussedness Of hu
man nature. One was a pessimist. thu
other an optimist. The optimist die
most Of the talking.
1.-THE average man. said he, II
honest. l will prove it to you righ'
now. There are at least so men II
this car, and not one Of them, l ven
ture to say, will claim anything thai
does not belong to him.
"The cynic admitted that they were
indeed, a pretty decent looking lot.
Nevertheless, I'd advise you to &C
SLOW he said. How do you propose
TO test them?'
This way said the optimist. q
have In my pocket a scarfpin that ]
have never worn. I only bought II
yesterday and am taking 1t to town to
day to give to my wife's nephew as q
birthday present. Now, I am willing
to give the impression that I found II
In this car. II anybody has nerve
enough to claim 1t he may have It,
1.-THE cynic agreed to these condi'
lions and the porter was called.
"'Will you ascertain said the op-
timist, II anybody in this car has lost
anything recently?
1.-THE porter walked up and down
the aisle and bawled out at the top
Of his voice:
"Lost property found-lost proper
ty found. Who does it belong TOT
This gentleman has It,
Everybody looked through his
pockets and several persons claimed
to be poorer than when they left home.
Three had lost money. one a watch
charm, somebody else a bunch OF keys
and another a signet ring. Presently
. man sitting near the middle of the
car jumped up and said:
"sBy George. I have lost my scarf
PIN
"sWhat kind Of q pin was it?' asked
the optimist.
EFT was an opal set In a gold hand
OF peculiar Egyptian workmanship
was the reply.
1.-THE optimist nearly dropped.
els this it?' he asked. and showed
his own scarfpin.
"Tt u.s. said the man, and he took
the pin.
"The optimist was disheartened. He
had lost q valuable pin and his faith
In the honesty of mankind at the same
time, and the double blow was enough
to floor him. The cynic. although BE-
cretly delighted, was puzzled.
"'Of course" said he. you can't
squeal. You've agreed to let the fell
low keep the pin. and you're in honor
bound to do It.; but I'd demand an
explanation II I were you. The cir
cumstances are really remarkable.
and that much is due you
"The optimist thought so, too. 30
he went back and sat down beside the
man who had filched the pin.
Sir said the optimist. there 10
no need for me to tell you that you
are an Internal rascal. You know that
~ we'll a l do. You are aware that
that pin does not belong to you. What
l would like to know IL how you were
able to describe It b accurately
Then the optimist proceeded to
relate his previous conversation with
the cynic. The young man listened
with keen appreciation. He did not
get mad.
"'sir,, he said. when It came his
time TO talk. perhaps I am not such
villain AZ you think. could de-
scribe this pin because It belongs to
me. I lost It Ave years ago. I have
been looking for it ever since. I
knew that l should find II some time.
In all these years. whenever ! heard
OF q man finding anything, I have but
ted in with q description Of that pin.
that he might have It. I have
been particularly anxious to get IL in
now. and ! want to get the opal set
IN q ring for my wife. I thank you
Tor returning It to me-
The optimist listened, but he was
not convinced.
~ nov understand the situation
he said. but l still think you are q
rascal. In my opinion you have no
right to that pin. l bought It yester-
day In good faith, and I consider that
Il belongs to me-
FINALLY they submitted the ques-
don 70 the rest Of the men in, the
car. Opinion was divided. Some
the young man entitled to
the pin. others that Diogenes had the
best claim to t."
Tam surprised" said the commuters
wife, shat there should be any disa-
OF course. It belonged to
The ethics OF the case are
y plain ~ : pikestaR to anybody
except that young man."
Thank said the commuter.
That was the point | wanted your
on"
There was . brief silence. Pres
Dntly the commuters wife looked at
her husbands flushed face. ct his
Wilted collar, and the tie beneath.
Why, where did you get that pin2.'
Ihe asked. II never saw It before.
An opal set In : gold hand-well. upon
ny word! You don't mean to say"
Eyes" said the commuter, Il do.
| wanted the opal for you. but since
ron think I have 70 right 70 IT..
oh" said Tho commutsr's wife.
that's di3erent.s
Many Rssusals.
ClAxa-You may not believe 4, but