The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-12

we'll, say some diamond and pear
rings and brooches. will you?"
Hi, now" hailed the reporter
pricking up his ears; that has thu
flavor of SCOOP"
IF it leads to that. you'll get i,
f1rst, believe me-" pledged Joel.
For two consecutive evenings Joe
visited his friend. to learn that nc
such event as that he described had
been reported to the police.
Not for moment had the thought
OF appropriating the money and jew
elry come to Joels mind Being hon
est. he kept his own counsel, but
went into bank one day and depos
tied the one thousand dollars in his
own name. He made small package
of the jewelry and tied it in hand
kerchies. and secured this by a string
across his chest. That week he got
work and earned five dollars, and
twice he guardedly advertised his
find-no result
Many time the possession of un.
claimed wealth became a burden,
nearly temptation. Then Joel ac-
cepted his strange responsibility as a
matter of course.
When get little money ahead.
will see lawyer. and learn the hon
est limit | must go to as a full duty
to seek to locate the owner of the
money and the jewelry.' he decided.
If he cannot be found. surely | have
some claim in the matter"
But Joel did not accupulate the
money necessary to start this plan in
operation. A fall temporarily crippled
one limb. He fell Ill and became unfit
for work. Finally he determined to
return home, veritable prodigal son.
1t was better to acknowledge defeat,
however, after all his high hopes and
bouts. BESIDES that, his relatives in
the home village cared little for him.
Joel made his way from the city
slowly. painfully. At a town fifty
miles on his route he found unexpect-
ed comfort and rest Applying for
what light work he could do at mod
est little home, the patient-faced,
sweet-souled mistress pitied his for
lorn condition. There was some work
to do about the chicken house and
the garden. He might try week at
1t, and meantime he would be vel.
come to cot in the garnet and all
the well-cooked food he could eat,
Joel worked with will, so far as
his condition would permit He be-
came acquainted with the daughter OF
widow next door. They were poor,
but respectable. They grew to like
the bright-hearted young fellow. who
entertained them with stories Of
wandering career that showed a deep
knowledge of human nature. From
them he learned that the Davis peo-
pie, for whom he worked, were under
spell of trouble Their son. about
to be married, had lost his position,
was forced to find new work. He
was, furthermore, under suspicion,
and the wedding and his social re.
must wait
Why. What is this" exclaimed
Mr.. Davis one afternoon, as moving
chair on the porch upon which
hung Joel's coat, handbook fell out.
Il declare. A great object of charity
you've picked up, Nellie-a tramp
with thousand dollars in bank"
He's good all through, just the
same declared Mr. Davis. "A thou.
sand dollars? Husband. | can't un-
derstand it-he told me he had no
money whatever
He'll explain. or leave decided |
Mr.. Davis. And he called Joel. The
latter valued his pleasant environ.
ment. He told 81 his story. To his
Mrs Davis uttered a
shrek and tainted away at the re-
,ital
But an explanation of the mystery
,ame speedily 1t was the son of Mr..
Davis who had been robbed in the
,ity. He had gone to see his fiancee.
lad drawn from the bank his savings
n one large banknote. and had taken
rom the jewelry establishment where
le worked a number of pieces of Jew.
Try from which his lady love might
elect bridal gift.
Within a week young Davis was re-
tored to his old position. Gratitude
ould do no less than find Joel good
POSITION. AS he prospered. love kept
lin stanch to the widows pretty
aughter. and the wanderer found the
afe anchorage of a coy. happy home