The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-10-12
Miss Chittenden's
Purse

| wen, VI course, something has hap
pened?"
Yes. papa"
You've lost your purse again."
Yes"
And $50 with it,"
NO. papa-only about Sc this time. y
Only! Only! Only Sc! You speak
as II we had thousands to throw away
as II S. were only six single nails!
Weii' this Is positively the last time
that | trust you with more than half
dollar at once. Seventeen different
times In the last two years you have
lost your purse!"
That was the homecoming of Miss
GLADYS Chittenden as she got back to
bridgeport from a run down to the
CITY TO do some shopping. Miss Gladys
was the daughter of ex-Judge Chit
tenden. retired from the bench and
raising few chickens and making
himself disagreeable to the neighbors
on the block where he dwelt. He was
q widower. and the girl was his only
child
Miss Gladys had lost her purse
lost 1t In the usual way. She had been
Denind time In her shopping and had
maze rush for the depot and her
train at the last minute. In buying
ner ticket she had left her purse on
the shelf and made run for the gate.
Inc next person to approach the
ticket window after Miss Gladys was
Mr. VIII Anderson. a young architect
he wanted to make some INQUIRIES
ABOUT trains. He had taken notice Of
the young lady. and when the purse
fell under his eyes he lost a minute
IN wondering and then hurried after
her.
But she was gone. Mr.. Anderson
pocketed the purse and started for his
ONCE. He had the plans Of a sky.
scraper on his desA. but what is 4
skyscraper compared to a young and
handsome and unknown girl? He let
the plans lie and took careful note OF
the contents Of the purse: IS in cash.
q key to trunk, bit of red ribbon.
a square Of court-plaster, q tiny little
knife-and three or four address
cards.
He had the clew. Miss Gladys Chit
tenden. Bridgeport, Conn" No street
no number
Three days later found Mr.. Ander.
son in Bridgeport. 1t wasn't much Of
a task to find the family of Chitten.
den.
Permit me-" said, Mr.. Anderson as
he halted and. presented his card.
Architect. eh?" growled the Judge
after putting on his glasses and read.
Ing the name. We'll, you can go right
on! was fool enough to have an
architect plan this house. and he had
the stairways all running down cellar
instead of upstairs"
Your daughter, sir"
Never you mind my daughter. She
doesn't want any chicken coops built"
"She was in the city the other day.
and"
And it's none of your business II
she was!"
Mr.. Anderson turned and went back
to the depot and took the train for
home. He would send the purse by
mail. He would send 1t by express.
He would send it by messenger-by 4
big. husky messenger who would
throw the judge over his own gate II
he didn't improve his conduct. No, he
would do nothing Of the kind. He
wouldn't be bluffed. He would see
Miss Gladys and explain. and then
proceed to fall in love with and marry
her II his life paid the forfeit.
He worked on those skyscraper
plans for three days and then HE'D
him away to Bridgeport again.
The judge was standing right there
at his open gate again, and he was
In even a worst temper than before.
He recognized the architect half q
block away. and was ready to cry out
at him.
Didn't say did not require your
services!"
Il have not offered Them" was the
calm reply.
We'll, that's all right, but will you
look at that mud heap right here on
the best street in town."
Official laxity, should say"
That's it-that's it! We have got q
board. sir. that doesn't know enough to
pound sand. Why. 1t doesn't know
sand when 1t sees it,"
II agree with you. and the members
should be stirred up"
You agree, Ell? Shake hands. Elk.
,use me II was a little blunt the
other day"
your daughter. sir. She was In
New York. and"
Come Income In. Gladys happens
to be home now"
And when they had entered the
house and stood before the daughter
he continued:
Gladys. gentleman to SEQ you. He
agrees with me perfectly as to the
board Of public works."
The story Of the lost and found
purse came out. and was laughed over,
and the Judge chuckled and slapped