Atlanta Georgian., 1913-03-05
WISE RURAL LAD
BANKED IN HURRY
Lewis Bradbury, of DacuIa,
Said Crooks Couldn't Get
Him, But One Did.

Lewis Bradbury is an unsophisticated
youth of sixteen years and his home re-
poses in the bosom of nature close by
the sedate little village of Decula, in
Gwinett county.
Lewis, like many other youths of his
ruralistic type. was stung by the big
town" bug and the tall pines and the
furrowed fields and the ever present
quietude lost their native charm. He
became convinced that bright future
lay in store for him beyond the hills
and wales Of old Gwinett, and he lost no
time in determining to hit the trail for
the bright lights of Atlanta. In tha
urid glare of city Illumination he would
seek fame. and fortune.
But Lewis was wise-he thought he
was. He had heard many blood curd-
ling, hair raising and otherwise thrill
ing tales of Atlantas horde of crooks
and other stars of the underworld. and
he fortified himself-he thought he did
Toning up his supply Of iron nerve. he
sharpened his wits. as many times he
had sharpened the farm implements on
the old grind stone behind the barn.
Too Slick For Crooks.
Them slick guys in Atlanta'H never
git me-Tm too sharp for en-" Lewis
proudly and confidently told the home
folk.
But the home folk were bit leary.
warnings
The lad laughed.
Don't worry bout me-Pve dons
heard so much bout them fellows I'll
know 'em by sight. They can't fool
me-" was his assurance.
All this was in staid old Gwinett
Then came a sudden shift OF scenes
Yesterday the lad. dressed in his Sun
day best. his hair neatly combed. and
his hat reposine iauntily on the side of
his head, stepped from train right into
the midst of his long cherished dream.
He was a bit nervous and completely
bewildered. All of that instructive
knowledge Of crooks he had so care
fully corrallod vanished from his agi-
tated brain like a vapor.
In Luck From Start.
\ smiling stranger stepped quickly
to his side in the depot. and, sapping
him familiarly on the back. engaged
him in conversation. The country lad
explained that he had come to Atlantis
to get job.
well. isn't this fine luck?" ex-
| claimed the stranger. You know /
was just waiting here for young fell
| low to take a job, and he's just wired
he'll be unable to come. Now, you look
like a bright chap and I'll just give you
the job
Lewis breath almost departed-of
such rapid-dre success he had never
dreamed. Visions of a roll and of the
envy of the boys back home chased one
another through his brain until other
| thoughts fled He was "doped" with
success.
The stranger led him gently from the
depot to a nearby hotel. incidentally,
he explained that Lewis would have to
deposit with him a bond of $40 to insure
his honesty Lewis didn't mind this,
| because he knew he was honest. The
man chucked the ten spot into his jeans
and. writing on a slip of paper, handed
| it to the youth.
1t read:
Il hereby agree to accept this job at
| $65 per month. and to prove myself
! honest i'm every respect
/ Lewis signed the paper
Then Stranger Vanished.
! The stranger then told him he de-
sired to step into an adjoining office
moment and urged him to not speak to
any one else in the Office, as it would
interfere with their Work-this was the
! hotel office.
| Lewis sat still for several hours. and,
| finally overcome by II desire to exercise
his vocal cords, rushed out TO a passing
| policeman and asked him if he had
| seen anything of his boss" The Off
/ Ger listened to the boys story, and then
turned him over to Detective John
! Black
When Lewis was asked If he hadn't
| heard of Atlanta's crooks, he looked
| abashed. and murmured:
! Yes, but 1 forgot all about it,
| Lewis is still in Atlanta and still
| looking for a job.
His boss" left him five dollars