Imperial Valley press., 1910-11-19

OlO COlHS UT nOl, DuJ JnlS OHb IS luleI- esting merely because of it's age"
 He drew from his waistcoat pocket little packet of tisue- paper and un- wrapped a small disk of tarnished sil- yer
 "It's one of the earliest French coins known" he said, passing it to liar lard, who sat on his left. "It was issued during the reign of Charle- magne-about 7S0, I think-and I be- lieve it to be a unique specimen There isn't another in any public col lection, and I'm congratulating myself on finding a coin that is worth a small fotune."
 Harland examined it curiously and passed it to me.
 What do you suppose it's worth?" I asked.
 kSeveral hundred dollars, anyway. Of kcourse, there are many older coins, Nbut this particular coinage was thought to have disappeared from the face of the earth. Vecchio hadn't any idea of it's real value and didn't even know where he got it. He said it had been with a lot of other old copper and silver money he bought some time ago. I searched through the whole lot, but there was nothing else of any value there"
 looked at it wonderingly. It was badly made, and the head of the Frankish king was hardly flattering likeness of any human being; but it was interesting to hold in ones palm an authentic relic of the earliest era of medieval civilization. I passed it to Carrick.
 "How do you suppose these old coins last so long?" said Barton. q cant keep a present day American dollar for five minutes"
 Dr. Matrin smiled and turned to discuss some professional question with young Sampson, who had just hung out his shingle as an M. D.
 We chatted on pleasantly for nearly an hour, and finally Martin arose to go, declining my offer of another cigar, and saying that he had an urgent call to make before going to bed.
 "Who has my coin?" he asked q did not get it back?"
 There was little scuffle as we all looked about for it.
 q gave it to Carrick," I said.
 And I to Barton,' said Carrick.
 Everyone hastened to disclaim pos session of the coin. All had seen it, and had given it in turn to his neigh bor; but there was no sign of it any where. Next to Martin, on his right, sat Ellington, whom I had brought home with me from my office. He was stranger to all the others, and only casual acquaintance with me.
 Please look and see if somebody has not inadvertently slipped it into his pocket" Martin asked. q should not like to lose that coin."
 We all searched, but without avail. The coin was not to be found. Martin was nervous and upset.
 N q would not lose that coin for a great deal" he said T don't care so mach about it's money value, but I want it for my collection"
 My dear fellow I said, "it must be here It couldn't have rolled far away"
 'If anyone is keeping it for a joke, please don't annoy me any longer, {" said Martin, really exercised. q am in hurry"
 Everyone immediately dsclaimed such an idea, and all professed igno- rance of the coins whereabouts, some rather testify. I saw that Martin was seriously annoyed however, so said:
 "In order that there may be no mis- understanding about this, I think we should all permit ourselves to be searched Of course, none of us would deliberately keep Dr. Martin S coin; but in fairness to ourselves, I think we should satisfy him of the fact"
 Certainly" said Sampson. Its a most unpleasant situation, and while lon't believe that Martin would sus-
 S us of anything of that sort, l, VBr one, should like to prove that I haven't his coin"
 Everyone assented but Ellington. l turned in surprise to see his sitting