Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1913-11-27
A Case Of
Oveneaching
By DOROTIEA HALE

youth; consequently he had been oblig-
ed to do very ordinary work. which had
paid him very little. He had had chill
dren. but they had died, and he and
his wife had no one to rely on In their
old age. when they were unable to
work. There seemed nothing for them
to do but 20 to the poorhouse, and
there is something 80 melancholy about
1t that many would rather die than
resort to 1t.
One day Herman while walking
along the street found q large pocket
book, one of that kind that will hold
bank bill without itS being folded.
Herman opened 1t and saw that 1t con-
tained $40 He looked about him to
see II any one was nenr who might
have dropped 1t. but there was no one
at all In sight. so he put It in his
pocket and took It home to his wife,
Maria. to consult with her as TO what
he should do with 1t.
Maria asked her neighbors how one
could nnd the owner of pocketbook
lost on the street and was told to look
in the newspapers. for the owner
would doubtless advertise 1t and would
offer a reward for its return So the
next morning Herman went to read
ing room for poor persons and looked
through all the morning papers. for he
could read and write also. though YER,
badly In one of the papers he found
the advertisement he was looking for
1t stated that pocketbeok had been
lost near where Herman had found I!
and II returned a third OF the contents
would be given the finder.
The habit OF honesty WAS hrmly fixed
on the old man Indeed. he bad never
In his life taken anything that did not
belong to him. and 1t was too late for
him to begin. II he should keep the
money 1t would trouble him and ii
would not likely last him as long as he
lived anyway. II be returned IT he
would get 4 third of II. which would !
keep him and Maria for several |
months.
He took the poe textbook TO the owner
who at nrst praised him very highly
for his honesty Indeed. he was SC
loud In his praise that he forgot to
count out the money for the reward
When Herman asked him for It he
opened all the different compartments
Is though looking for something. then
began to abuse the old man. saving
hat there had been much more money
N the pocketbook than he now found
here. Herman denied having taken
lnything out Of It, whereupon the
nan began to curse and to swear at
Herman. calling him a thief. and. hup-
ling him to the door, put him out. Civ
ng him kick at the same time.
1t happened that policeman was
'oing BY the house at the time md
sked what was the matter. The own
r of the pocketbook told his story. &
nd Herman charged him with refus- /
ng to pay the reward he had offered 2
resides aHsaultinx him. The police A
nan took them to the station. where
e entered charge OF disorderly con
uct against both of them in order that
he matter might be thrashed out in
curt
The next morning they were brought
nto court with other prisoners. and
vhen their case was called the Judge
sked for statement OF facts 1t was
Don mude evident to him that Herman
ad been beaten out OF his reward
lie also got from the old man that he
vas too old to work and that he and
lis wife were about to 20 to the poor
louse. Honesty under such circum- n
tances made very favorable impress
hon. while the conduct OF the owner
4 the pocketbook appeared very repre-.
iensible.
"You say" said the Judge to the lat
err. that there was much more money
n the pocketbook than was returned?"
Eyes. your homer"
How much moreT'
There were seven $1,000 and four
800 bills. in all $4,000"
How did you happen to have go
1uch money In such 4 placer
II have carried It there for seyernl
ears. dent put money in bank
ont like banks"
WHsnt III rather an unSdfe way TO
srry bilsf''
The prisoner saw that he WINS getting
ed up by the judge In his sta tementa
nd looked confused.
Were these bills In the same part
the pocSctbook. asked the judge.
ns the money returned?"
mo. your honor; they were In com,
artment by themselves"
(which compartments"
The man looked more confused than
yer Mt this. The Judge called for the
ockctbook and asked the prisoner
, show him just where the bills had
cen kept. The man then confessed
Int they were In part which WIS
,wed together. he examined the
ocketbook closely and. feeling thick
art. took out knife and. ripping 1t
pen. extracted the bills exactly as the
rtsoner named them.
You are truthful fellow" said the
~ no ..N'hat ra vyur did Won ofYer for