The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-12-23
Observation-Disclosures
!: How Billy Emerson
: Walked Into Ills
Own Trap
A Christmas Story
BY RUTH GRAHAM

nice fellow, as the girls would put it,
handsome and rich. IL is questionable
if young men born with silver spoons
| in their mouths are fortunate. They
| have no careers before them, o., rather,
no careers are forced on them, and few
persons will work who do not have TO
work. Billy was in no regular bust
ness; consequently time hung heavy
on his hands, and he was always hunt.
ing for some amusement. He once said
that he would rather be a housebreak
er than himself, for he would love an
exciting life instead of dull one.
Billy disliked cold weather, and
when the autumn came on he usually
went to a southern climate. Nice was
his favorite winter resort; but, firing
of all European places, he concluded
one autumn to 90 to seabeach in
Virginia. Not finding the climate there
warm enough for him, he drifted down
to Florida, where he put up at one of
the swell hotels at St Augustine.
1t was a month before Christmas
when the young man started ON this
outing, ana not to be deprived of the
pleasure OF giving the customary pres
ents on account of his absence he de-
voted a week before leaving to their
purchase. Since he was an orphan
with no brothers or sisters the time
he devoted to the purpose would seem
unnecessary, but Billy had enc good
trait-he interested himself in impe-
cuuious persons. The main enjoyment
he received from his large fortune was
making the needy happy by supplying
their necessities. Having arranged for
a showcring of gifts on Christmas day,
he sailed away.
Billy was used to sitting in the sun
parlOr in the morning. where other
guests copyrighted. Not having any
thing better to do, he observed such
persons as interested him, but it was
a very dull way of spending the time,
and he longed for something to stir
him up. There was young lady in the
house who was taking care of her in
valid mother. The girls face was Ma
donna-like, and it seemed to Billy that
any one she loved she would sacrifice
for. even to her life. Billy wished she
would love him.
One day this young lady was sitting
in an easy chair basliiug in the sun,
when something seemed suddenly to
occur to her. Rising quickly, she hurried
away, leaving a fat pogtemonnaie in the
al, In Ia, I.,I tp
Billy that here was an opportunity to
scrape an acquaintance. He would
take up the article ana when the
young lady returned tor her purse
hand it to her. Stepping briskly to the
portemOnnaie, he seized it ana was put
ting it in his pocket when the young
lady, doubtless having missed it, re-
turned Eily was caught in the act
Now. what it was that induced him
to deny the theft he could hardly him
self explain lie says it was because
If he told her that he took the porte
monnaie simply TO return it to her she
would not believe him. and he saw an
adventure in Il final confession, proving
his responsibility at the same time
This would cause her to feel that she
had wrouged him and give him Il great
advantage. quite likely the panied
look on the girls face that followed
one Of surprise had something to do
with his action BE this as it may. he
denied having seen the missing article.
not having any very definite plan of
subsequent action.
GIVE me my uurtcmonnale," she said.
II saw YOU take it. To think that such
n resppctablc looking person should be
a common
She baked at the word thief. 1t was
too contcmptuous word TO apply to
so respectable appearing a person.
ar Won knew my motive" said Billy.
you would have sympathy for me-"
"What motiye?"
THE blessed Christmas season is
coming ana | have nothing with which
to buy gifts for my dear mother AMI
five Young brothers and sisters"
4 pitylng expression came over the
girls face. II mingling of pain. sympa-
thy and forgiveness. It made Billy
feel that TO elicit such an expression
he would rob a bank
"Kcep the money" said the girl. "and
if there is not enough 10 buy gifts for
All viii add TO it. But return my
portcmonuaie ana the other contents
They were given me last Christmas by
my dear mother"
ptlI, b,i,,,r his hnnd II seemed rs If