The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-09-16
AGreenhorn
BY F. A. mitchell
By F. A. mitchell

by a man, who said to him:
young man. would you like to make
some money!?
II certainly would"
Give me your name and address"
Johnny gave both, and the stranger
made note of them.
Can you keep secret|
IL think can"
"WeIl, here's a twenty dollar bill for
YOU and box. Take care of the box
for me till call for it and I'll give
YOU another $40. Don't you give the
box to any one else"
Johnny made the required promise;
the man gave him the box and went
his way.
The transaction had taken place
within less than minute. and Johnny
was left looking after the man. who
was walking away from him. Johnny
was about eighteen. but not yet well
yersed in the ways of the world, es-
pecially of tie commercial world. He
thought at first he would open the box
at once. but concluded to take it to his
room. He was country boy who had
come to the city to find job ana nyed
in lodging house.
AS soon as he was alone Johnny I'M
rolled the bill. and. true enough, IT was
a twenty dollar note. Being pretty
near out of money. 1t was very accept
able to him. or course he wondered
why the man had hired him 10
take care of box and was curious to
know what was in IL. 1t was about an
inch and half square and covered
with blue plush. Opening it, there mes
tied a ring set with two diamonds,
each as big as large pea.
Naturally Johnny was very much
astonished. Not being used to city
WAYS he did not reach conclusion
that the thing had been stolen and the
thief had found it best to get rid OF II.
What object could any one have In
asking him to take care OF property SO
valuable? Johnny racked his brain for
some time. then gave 1t up. There
was a cornice In his room. and. stand
ing upon his bureau, be put the prop
erty on the cornice. Descending TO
enc foor he was satisfied that 1t could
not be seen. Probably it was in ABOUT
as safe a place as 1t could be put
Not finding a position. Johnny lived
on the 500 that had been given MN.
When 1t was all gone be began 10 get
hungry. The longer he went without
hn haaana AT taGT
he took to his bed.
One day there were sounds or root
steps coming up the stairs ana rap
at Johnny's door. He said come IN
so family that he was not heard, put
This made no difference to his callers
for they entered anyway. wen dress
ed gentleman and policeman.
Are you John ormsby?" asked the
gentleman
Eyes, sir"
"pid a man some time ago give you
box containing a diamond ring to
keepT
Eyes"
well, want it."
HE told me to give it to no one put
him"
"oh. he did, did he? Well. young
man. that ring was stolen. The man
has been arrested for other thefts ana
TO secure immunity has agreed to re-
turn every article be has taken. he
told me TO come 10 you and get the
ring"
~ don't know what he told you,
said Johnny. He gave me a twenty
dollar bill to take care Of the property
and said was to give 1t to no one
but him"
Come of, young man." said the po-
liceman. "You can't make the gentle
man believe you're so green as all
that"
"why are you lying in bed?' asked
the gentleman. Are you sick?
mo. | haven't had anything to eat
for several days"
whats become Of the money the
man gave you?"
"All gone for food"
Have you got the ringT
YES"
THE gentleman looked at the boy In
wonder. why didn't you get some
money for it?'
81 don't own it"
The gentleman looked at the police
man; the policeman returned the
glance. "He is greenhorn ana DO
mistake" said the latter.
"Do you mean to tell me-" asked the
gentleman. that you're lying here
starving with a diamond ring worth
$500 in your possession
That's about 1t, sir"
well, here's dollar; go get some
thing to eat. but first give me the
ring"
II couldn't give it TO any one except
the man that left II with me"
Don't bother with him. sir; ~ run
him in" said the cop.
mo. you won't. I know an honest
face when | see one. Take the cab
10 the jail and bring the crook here.
I'll wait for you"
Within half an hour the man who
bad intrusted Johnny with the ring
appeared in care of the cop and told
Johnny 10 give II 10 the gentleman
mot till get the other $40 you
promised me-" said Johnny.