The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-03-30

ference nettled him and changed his
plans. Turning to the man, he said:
'"The watch is we'll worth $50, and
should be glad to give you that sum
to help you settle with your creditors,
but have only SIS in my pocket
"Then I'll take that" sighed the
business failure, with culver In his
voice. II want to settle q claim at
| once-tonight-and 1 know that shall
have at least cold potatoes for break.
fast It grieves me. but-take 1t
along"
Mrs. Bowser called again, but Mr..
Bowser passed over the money, patted
the man Of integrity on the shoulder
and closed the door after him. Then
he returned to the sitting room, placed
| watch and ring on the mantel and sat
down without a word. After quarter
Of an hour of silence Mrs. Bowser
went upstairs to keep clear of any fur
ther row, and the expected neighbor
came in.
| OF course he was told Of the honest
business man and shown the watch
and ring. He began to grin as soon
as they were placed In his hands, and
pretty socn he said:
Look here, Bowser. You've been
played for sucker!'
1T can't be!'
"But 1t can be and is. Those dia-
monds are nothing but glass, and that
ring isn't worth $3l Was Mrs. Bowser
here when you bought it7"
| "What If she was or wasntH
"She'd have detected the fraud at
once. The game that fellow worked
on you is as old as the hills. What on
earth made you biteT'
FL wanted to help an honest man.
As for the watch
"Ha, ha, haw
"What in thunder do you mean" de-
manded Mr.. Bowser as his face kept
growing paler.
"I'm thinking Of the cheek Of the
man to come back and swindle you
second time. Say, now, but you are
dead easy. This watch never cost over
$3. Bowser, old man, you've been lam
basted for $50 with your eyes wide
open. You'd better let Mrs. Bowser
deal with such chaps after this"
"But what does she know of such
folks2" protested Mr.. Bowser.
"A heap more than you do, I should
say, If you are so easily taken in. Well.
well, wouldn't have believed itr'
As the situation was somewhat en-
barrassing the neighbor didn't stay
long, and when he had taken his de-
parture Mr.. Bowser sat down to chew
the bitter cud. He had been chewing
for about twenty minutes and wonder
ing how he could get even with Mrs.
Bowser when the bell rang, and he
! made his way to the door and opened
It to find the same business failure on
the step again.
"YOu will excuse me, know" said
the man, "but l have diamond pin l
didn't show you. It is a pin my wife
gave me on my fortieth birthday, when
everything was going well with us.
As 1t is worth $50 thought could
easily get rid of 1t among your neigh
bors for $50 or $40, but find that !
can't. Your exceeding kindness to me
and your desire to help me maintain
my standard Of integrity led me Ia
hope
''Come int" interrupted Mr.. Bowser.
The man entered the hall and open
ed q pasteboard box to reveal q diA'
mond pin reposing on a nest Of red
cotton.
"You-you have diamond pin tr
sell mef said Mr. BOWser In a strange
hard voice.
Eyes; I thought to keep It from my
creditors, but my conscience won't lei
me. 1t Is worth $3.50. but owing t0
circumstances"-
Then Mr.. BOwser jumped on him
The man of integrity was taken by
surprise and rolled on the floor, but
he soon recovered, and there was q
scrap that upset the hall tree, tickled
the cat half to death and made the
dust fly. 1t lasted five minutes, and
then Mr.. Bowser got the door oper
and Gifted" the man of integrity ouI
into the cold and cruel world and
turned to find Mrs Bowser on tn,
stairs.
"WellT' she queried as he glared a
her and puffed like an old engine Sc
going for the fall and winter trade
'have you gone out of the jewelry bust
ness?"
He slowly extended his arm ant
shook his finger at her and tried II
answer hack but his emotions wer'
too great.
"If you have" she continued as sh,
turned and began to ascend, "you't
better lock up and come to bed an(
let me rub you down with witch ha
zel!"