The Lambertville record., 1915-11-04

tracted by big fire. He had helped
rescue an ambitious reporter who
had climbed fire escape. The young
man had struck up speaking ac-
quaintance with Joel. Once he had
invited Joel to cafe supper with
him. Joel knew where he worked.
He sought him out.
You'll do something for me,
know" he told the scribe. Find out
IL the police have any record of
man knocked down and robbed Of
well, say thousand dollars, and
well, say some diamond and pearl
rings and brooches, will your
Hi, now!" hailed the reporter,
pricking UP his ears; that has the
flavor Of SCOOP"
IF it leads to that, you'll get 1t
first, believe me-" pledged Joel.
For two consecutive evenings Joel
visited his friend. to learn that no
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 Joel's 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 a small package
of the jewelry and tied it in hand
kerchief, and secured this by 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 burden,
nearly a temptation. Then Joel ac-
cepted his strange responsibility as
matter of course
When get little money ahead,
will see lawyer, and learn the hon.
est limit | must go to as 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 accumulate 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, a 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 town fifty
miles on his route he found unexpect-
what light work he could do at a 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
come to cot in the garret and all
the well-cooked food he could eat.
Joel worked with a 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 a
wandering career that showed 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-
Mobilization must wait.
why! What is this?" exclaimed
Mr.. Davis one afternoon, as moving
chair on the porch upon which
hung Joel's coat, a handbook fell out.
81 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 all his story. To his
astonishment Mrs. Davis uttered a
shrek and tainted away at the re-
cital.
But an explanation of the mystery
came speedily. 1t was the son of Mr..
Davis who had been robbed in the
city. He had gone to see his fiancee,
had drawn from the bank his savings
in one large banknote, and had taken
from the jewelry establishment where
he worked number of pieces of jew
elry from which his lady love might
select bridal gift.
Within q week young Davis was re-