The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-27
ANGIRANl Forum
clBY B1LLIOTT dPLOVW3EP@
coPYR.loHT 900 BY BElJ q f5AMPToN

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ON GRETT had made the trip from an
aay 70 snnday nS
cepted for more than year and nothing
had happened to disturb the routine
So Tom Grett became careless. The sat
chel that he carried always contained consider
able sum In cash and much more in checks but the
fact that he custodian of much money had
ceased worry him. The fact had lost its signifi
canoe. 49, ,.x whom 10 1,.s
making his regular trip to the downtown bank,
another with another satchel, and the other
man deposited the other satchel beside Grett's.
They very similar in apprenticeship satch-
els, not the men--and Brett, If he had not been
entirely oblivious could hardly have failed
tice that strangers partly displaced the other
But Grett was deep in an account OF the latest
thus absorbed until his station was reached, when
he hastily picked up the strangers satchel and
The stranger was busy with the Help Wanted"
advertisements Of his own paper and did not even
look up when Brett left but, at the next station:
he showed the paper into his coat pocket. grabbed
the remaining satchel, and hurried out
nodded to the teller, deposited the satchel the
window-shelf for convenience in opening, and gave
an exclamation Of surprise and alarm This sat
newer and cleaner He opened 1t with trembling
hands. disclosing seersucker coat and cigar-box
my Cod" he cried; I've been robbed"
..This isn't my satchel' he said in bewilder-
Of his head, and he seemed to have lost the power
Of connected thought; he stared at the satchel,
II expecting the contents to change under his gaze
to banknotes and checks.
The cashier. seeing that something wrong.
ing. Sensations are not popular in banking cir
cles; the emotional public msunderstands and ex-
aggerates them, SO it is advisable to keep them
from the public.
"A case of deliberate substitution declared the
cashier. when Grett had told his story. Telephone
your bank. They will want to put the police on it
Grett seemed also at the point of collapse. but
the sharp. vigorous tone and manner of the cash
Ter had bracng effect, and he recovered his nerve
in some measure. Unquestionably the bank should
be notified Immediately, in order that everything
possible might be done to recover the satchel
The North Trust and Savings Bank was not
large institution, and the loss of sixteen thousand
dollars in currency could not be accepted phio-
sophcally by its officers 1t followed. therefore.
distressed by the message that came to him
the telephone. Nevertheless, being man of quick
All the usual precautions were taken-the police
notified, and advertisement written, $500
ward for the return Of the satchel and its con-
tents" and sent to the evening papers
There some debate over the advertisement.
their loss thus public but President Farwell main
tanned that they should overlook nothing that
the least promise Of lessening the loss.
The railroad company reported that such
satchel had been turned in to the lost and. found
department and the guard when questioned de-
That proves II to be premedtated theft as
serted Aiken. AN honest finder would have turn
"And we have about one chance in a thousand
Of recovering the money he added
vagrant fortune-even small one-hasn't much
chance in this city. We're probably out sixteen
much on the checks
They faced i for two hours in eyer-deepening
o'clock in the morning. and it was nearly one when
. shabby stranger entered the bank. The shabby
employees seemed to rise one man, when they
saw 1t. but the shabby stranger ambled along wear
looked about him doubtfuly; the ofce force waited
breathlessly. hoping it was not dream It seemed
% s that man should be
The stranger broke the spell by advancing to
Aiken drew long breath. Sixteen thousand
dollars and some checks" he said
"Whew!" exclaimed the stranger: I'm glad I
didn't know had so much He handed the satchel
1t was Aiken and Farwell went over the cash
The checks they took faith.
Where did you find it?' asked Farwell.
I'm my hand" was the reply. The first knew,
! was carving the wrong grip, and the papers
showed that 1t belonged to YOU"
How long ago was that"
1.-TWO hours. l guess. 1 tired and walked
.swalked," exclaimed Farwen why didn't you
spent my last nickel going downtown for
job. Had one half promised, but this looked more
important"
You had sixteen thousand dollars. and you
walked" Farwell found this incomprehensible.
Sure It wasn't mine. Anyhow. didn't know
how much there was
Didn't you count it"
mo"
'.Why not?"
II was afraid"
Afraid of WHAT"
"Of myself. They say every man has his price.
and afraid might find mine"
Il guess old Diogencs looking for you.'' re-
marked Farwell with s smile.
" Who's he." asked the stranger.
He's the fellow who looking for
who could do what you have just done. 1t takes
man to be honest when he's desperately hard
up
That's all" returned the stranger simply: Just
man.
II suppose you want the reward" said Farwel.
Well. admitted the stranger, II thought there
might be some reward. and don't see how could