Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-12-17
How Billy Emerson
Walked Into Ills
Own Trap
A Christmas Story
By RUTH GRAHAM

= / :.
Billy Emerson was twenty-one, a
nice fellow, as the girls would put it,
handsome and rich. 1t is questionable
if young men born with silver spoons
in their mouths are fortunate. They
have no careers before them, or, 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
err 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 Il southern climate. Nice was
his favOrte winter resort; but, firing
Of all European places, he concluded
one autumn to go 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 Il month before Christmas
when the young man started on this
outing, and 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, bat Billy had one good
trait-he Interested himself in impe-
runious persons. The main enjoyment
he received from his large fortune was
making the needy happy by Supplying
their necessities. Having arranged for
Il shoWcring Of gifts on Christmas day,
he sailed awa".
Billy was used to sitting in the sun
parlor in the morning. where other
guests congregared. 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. basking in the sun
when something seemed suddenly TO
occur to her. Rising quickly, she hurried
away, leaving Il fat portemOnnaie in the
chair she had occupied. 1t occurred to
Billy that here was an opportunity to
scrape an acquaintance. He would
take up the article and when the
young lady returned for her purse
hand it to her Stepping brisllly to the
pOrtemonnaie. he seized it ana was put
ting it in his pocket when the young
lady, doubtless having missed it. re-
turned. Billy was caught in the act.
Now, what it was that induced him
to deny the theft he could hardly him
self explain. He 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 a final confession, proving
his responsibility mt the same time,
This would cause her to feel that she
had wronged 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
/ III 81 Il,
denied having seen the missing article,
not having any very definite plan of
subsequent action.
Give me my portemOnnaie," she said
81 saw you take it. To think that such
/ a respectable looking person should be
a common
She balked at the word thief. 1t was
too contemptuOus a word to apply to
so respectable appearing a person.
"If you knew my motive" said Billy
you would have sympathy for me-"
"What motiveY
THE blessed Christmas season Is
coming and have nothing with which
to buy gifts for my dear mother and
five young brothers and sisters"
i A plying expression came over the
girls face, mingling of pain, sympa
thy and forgiveness. 1t made Billy
feel that to elicit such an expression
he would rob q bank.
Keep the money" said the girl. land
If there is not enough to buy gifts fol-
all will add to it. But return my
portemonnafe and the other contents
They were given me last Christmas by
my dear mother"
Billy hung his head. 1t seemed as II
he had been touched by this kindly
magnanimity, and repentance was be
ginning to well up within him. Taking
the portemonnaie from his pocket. he
handed it to her without opening it
She took some bills there were in II
and handed them to him.
UNO hn said UVnI hovn 1,,odo ~,