Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1910-11-30
A FILLIP IN
FUTURES

This rs not TO prove that I.ysdon
Is eccentric. He isn't Concentric
might hit the mark. for--but Wen
drop that. There's no telling where .
ionghandled word will lead one.
he was out OF money on certain
date-almost as penniless "a beg
Sar; and he fell back on his wits to
make good. which he did. Straightest
Fellow in Seldridge college. Lysdon
was; there's no disputing that.
Lysdon's remaining two months In
college he looked forward to with real
pleasure. but the string OF bills at
tached TO the finish made the corners
OF his mouth drop to an angle OF IS de-
grees. That facial expression. however.
| ned from his countenance like frost
before summer sun when the idea
iodged in his brain. Ii took ten min
utes to put 1t in printable shape. II
read like this:
Observation-Disclosures person to
drop fat pocket book ON the streets
OF Forreston and permit me to find Il
and claim reward. need it. Worthy
Young Man. Box 80, Herald"
The thing done. he hurried IL of TO
the Herald office. took supper at n
cheap restaurant, returned TO his room
and pored over his books till midnight.
then rolled into bed and slept like a
log.
or course. box 90 wasn't neglected
Tor day or two. Lysdon had hoped
for an early reply. and was inclined to
be disappointed after three days had
- M.
fourth day proved lucky one. He
opened his letter eagerly. but the only
happy thing about IL was that no one
was present to see the chagrin that
spread over his face. The single para.
graph ran as follows:
! Would gladly accommodate you. hut
l dropped my purse some time ago.
and 1t made such a noise that It open
ed the eyes OF blind beggar. who
seized 1t and ran of with It. He
hasn't returned IT,"
This was sample of n half dozen
that found their way into box go in the
next forty-eight hours. Lysdon was
settling down to the conclusion that
the plan was doomed to failure. when
tastefully addressed envelope found
It's way to his table With new cour-
age he made out these words:
Dear Sir-ln accordance with your
request, l will drop my purse ut the
corner OF Castle avenue and Third
street, Wednesday. the I'd inst. at
4:1b p. m. Fifty dollars reward II
safely returned to IL Ashelot avenue be-
lore 1880 p. m. Failure on your part
| VIII be serious. Miss Nick"
For Lysdon. the remainder OF that
Wednesday was full OF interest-an
interest that grew I'm proportion as
the interval to the appointed hour di.
minished.
wide margin before the timo ar.
rived he was sauntering resoluleIy
past the specified corner. his eyes
never emitting n movement of the pc
destrians that hurried past the place.
There was a ladies' wallet directly
under his face and eyes, but how 1t
got there was mystery he didn't
| wait TO solve. Quickly selling the
purse. he went down the street. too
much dazed TO voluntarily direct his
steps.
Collecting his scattered wits. he
found his way to his room. and threw
the thing on the table and himself on
a chair His curiosity soon got the
better OF his inertness when he re-
called that he had neglected to open
the find.
Pulling 1t open. he brought To light
a fragment OF embroidered work. and
a diminutive scrap of paper on which
~as penciled: Remember the houk-.
1880" Nothing more.
1t was enough-suficlent
Quickly responsive to his ring. a
smiling young lady opened the door.
You are the worthy young man ?"
she decided, before he had time TO
speak. You are so prompt. IL would
have helped me out finely II my plans
hadn't gone wrong"
Your plans?"
Yes" she admitted, a twinkle in
her eye. You see. we were going TO
have curiosity party, and was go
ing TO introduce you as my Offering
| or course, it's all too ridiculous for
anything; but your ad struck me as
so odd / simply couldn't resist. But
/ the party has fallen through at the
/ last moment Wait a moment and III
get your reward
Watt" broke out Lysdon. 'Its a
| poor conundrum that hasn't two solu.
I lions Listen TO mine.
Il don't need the reward"
Then why your advertisement IN
the Herald"
Wen, what really wanted was an
excuse. and"