Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-23
And Rock Island Shopper and
Salesman are Alike of
Honest Mind.
HOLIDAY TEST so SHOWS
Parcel and Purse Left in Store and
Streets Always With Some
Interesting ResusI.

rushed holiday shopper-doubly rush
ed because of the fact that their shop
ping has been delayed to the last pos
sible minute. Carrying under her arm
in the manner which only woman
can summon, the lady held her purse
and a valueless package, test objects
for people whom she knew must pick
up her belongings should she drop
them in a conspicuous place.
Following at discreet distance came
the other-a mere reporter-with his
eye peeled for anything that might
happen in the case. Entrance was
made into one of the large department
stores, and after satisfying her curios-
ity In regard to the various salable ar
ticles in the store, the lady settled
down to work. Espying the elevator
with a large throng waiting near its
door, she FASTENED in that direction,
and was soon lost in the shuttle.
IN THE CROWDED ELEVATOR
Entering the cage with the other,
the reporter had to hurry to keep up.
Just II people crowded into the eleva-
tor cage, too many to allow the plan
being put into successful operation.
Going up several stories, the two rep
resentatives followed the crowd into
the most popular of the many depart
ments of a department store-the toy
department Young and old alike were
devoting their attention to the mechan-
ical devices designed for kids" to
break the day after Christmas. It was
hardly the place for sure test.
But, nevertheless, the package was
laid on one of the counters in an adroit
manner, and the lady edged along.
sALEswOMAN WAS HONEST.
She failed to efface herself from the
spot before the saleswoman grasped
the package and returned it to her.
First test a success, was the jotting
of the mere reporter.
AS per program, the next effort was
made in another Of the most crowded
of the crowded stores. Hurrying as
quickly as she could, the lady progress
ed half way down the center aisle and
then dropped her purse and still hur
ried along. Two diminutive messen
ger boys were not too busy looking al
the toys to pick the purse from the
floor simultaneously they grasped II
in their hands. After wrangling over
the ownership to see which should
have the honor of returning it, they
gladly relinquished it to the re
porter, who had stepped up in the
midst of the argument and made
had dropped it.
Second case-boys proved their hon
esty- gladly aiding in the return O
the purse to the rightful owner.
Things were progressing very. nice
ly, and so a third test was entered
upon. Going to another big depart
ment store, the package was dropped
in the vestibuled entrance. On the
heels of the lady came a young girl
She picked up the parcel, looked 1
over, and then hurried to the "los
parcels" department, where 1t wa
later reclaimed by the lady.
Sure sign of honesty in this test.
ON THE CROWDED STREET.
Deciding that test on the crowded
street would be a good scheme, tn,
purse was dropped on the avenue. II
few seconds young lad had picket
up the purse and had excitedly return
ed 1t to the lady, for he had seen he
drop 1t; and he, too, was honest.
On Eighteenth street the packag,
was dropped, and The Argus lady hur
ried along. In a few seconds the pack
age was In the grimy hands of anothe
youngster. After inspecting it exter
nally, he decided that he could lear
more by looking at it's interior, so b,
tore on its wrapper. When he Learned
that 1t was valueless, he tossed 1t t,
TIE four winds, from whence it wa
rescued by the reporter, who, in oh
serving the boys action, was in doub
as to his intention.
ON THE STREET CAR.
Either people were unobserving OF
the street car or they were too occu
pied with their own worries to picl
the purse off the street car seat whel
the lady disembarked. After riding
few blocks, the reporter had to extent
himself somewhat, pick it up, and hik,
back to his co-worker.
Finally, the journey was ended in
local store. The lady went In to blu,
collar measuring about II inches il
circumference. Her needs cared 70
ty the proprietor himself the gallan
merchant bowed ner out of his plac
OF business. Returning to stack up hi
stores, he espied purse. Grasping |
and yelling for his departing custome
at the same time, he returned tn,
: purse, apparently anticipating an offe
OF reward by admonishing his custom
) ler to keep the change.
I The general deduction is that peopl
ere honest and thoughtful and vii
stop in their hurry to help some al
I sent-minded person to conduct he