The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-07-17
A Strange
Windfan
By MARGARET c. DEVEREAUx

LIufiuSe. i shall NUTh udTu III tue
ity and send you all my earnings.
shall be able to make enough to pay
the interest on the mortgage and per-
haps pay something on the principal
1t was very courageous for the lit
tie girl to tlk so. but it awaited little
or nothing She was going to the city,
since there was nothing for her on
the farm-only a mouth to feed. Her
tate was to sew all day for Il pittance
making shirts for department store.
Her mother knew very well what was
in store for her daughter and burst
into tears Martha put an arm around
her. then. taking up a bag in which
we're all the clothes she had in the
world. went out to where Il wagon was
waiting to take her to the station.
Ben Hughes held the reins. and he
| looked as sad as Mrs. Eldridge.,
Don't feel bad. Ben" said Martha,
laying her hand on his sleeve. Some
thing will turn up"
81 don't see how" he said dolefully.
We'll both work hard and save all
we can Some day III come back. and
we'll be married and live here with
mother and all be happy together
But Ben refused to be comforted
How many farmers boys remaining on
the farm and girls in the city making
shirts can look forward to q day Of
comfort?
On the cars a gentleman sat In the
seat beside Martha and entered into
conversation with her, He listened
sympatheticaIy to all she had to say
she told the whole melancholy story
and seemed affected by it. Not long
before they reached the city he opened
ii bag and took out package.
Would you mind taking this to your
room" he asked. keeping 1t for me
till call for it? expect to go on.
not completing my journey for several
days. maybe weeks. maybe months,
and don't wish to carry it with me.
You know where You are to go, don't
you?"
"Yes. and I'll take charge Of your
package with pleasure
She gave him her address, and when
the two rolled into the station the
gentleman left the car ahead of her
She saw him as he passed through the
gate and noticed a man tap him OH
the shoulder. take his bag and, putting
his arm through that of its owner
walk away with him.
Martha asked a policeman to put her
Oh a car to take her to her room and
as soon as she was in it, took some
writing materials out of her bag and
wrote her mother that she had a fine
large room-it was 6 by 9-and in q
pleasant ocation-really in a dirty
strickland she would get on very
nicely. She also wrote Ben not to be
discouraged. for she was sure some
thing would turn up to enable them
to realize the dreams of happiness
both had at least tried to indulge in
Then she sat down on her bed anC
S0bbed as if her heart would break.
Later she unpacked her bag, first
taking out the package the gentleman
had given her which she put in one
of the drawers of the little bureau
there was plenty Of room for it-anC
then went ont to II restaurant to gel
l fifteen cent supper
Several weeks passed. and she hearC
nothing of the gentleman who owneC
the package When as many months
had gone by and he neither turned W
nor sent any one for the package sht
began to think that he must be max
ing a very extended trip. Meanwhile
she was making just enough money t.
keep her in ragged ones-anC
in food. not sutliciency or of goot
quality. But she kept up stou
heart and wrote her mother and Bei
cheerful letters.
One day while sewing in her room
there was a tap on the door Sht
opened it. and man in police uniform
entered and handed her Il note which
contained an order to give him TIT
package. She did so. She didn'
know enough to take receipt, nor die
the man give her one. Martha saw
several other men in uniform OUTSIDE
the door and wondered why so man.
of them had come When they wen
away she resumed her sewing.
The next day the same man cam
again. He was alone this time ant
told her he wished her to go with him
She did so wonderingly in "A carriag
which she found standing at the doc
below. The carriage stopped at tn
door of bank, and she WAS taken t.
a private office in the rear. \ gentle
man with gray hair and whiskers wa
sitting at rosewood desk. and sew
eral men in uniform were standing
near What surprised Martha mos
was to see the man for whom she hat
been keeping the package.
rs this the girl?" asked the man a
the desk Of the man Martha had me
before.
Yes"
Martha Eldridge." said the former
this gentleman is or was the cashie
of the y. bank. The package he lief
with you contained bills he had ap
propriated, and. knowing he could no
get them through the station gate, h
left them with you. He was arreste,
and finally agreed to turn over tn
missing funds on condition of not be
ing prosecuted and that the reward OF
fered for the return of the funds b
given to you. Please sign this"
He handed her a receipt TO sign AM
a check for $4,000.
The mortgage on the farm was pai
off, there was wedding, and pros
perity came for all