Arizona republican., 1917-12-21

the Fl Paso visitors went to their train.
 Standing at the head of the stairs MT. Fraser was asked the time. Re ferring to his gift watch, which ne always carried, he ascertained that the time was 11:15 o'clock. As he re- placed the watch in his pocket he mo- ticed that at the foot of the stairs and watching him were several Mexi- cans. It occurred to MT. Fraser that they took particular note of the watch, and he remarked to himself: "Fll bet you'd like to get hold of that"
 MT. Fraser went to the train, bade good-by to the Fl Paso men and then took the ride to his Phoeni. home. As he started to undress for the night he discovered that the gift watch, the treasured watch which he had carried for so long and prized so highly, was missing.
 Notice of the loss was sent to the police of all towns in the state and to the cities of the coast and the southwest Advertisements were in serted in the newspapers of Los An geles, San Diego, Phoenix, Tempe and other cities, and a reward was offered for the return of the watch and no questions asked. But no trace was discovered of the keepsake. After nine months it had been given up as lost for good.
 Now turn the crank rapidly, Mir. Operator, for several months inter vene here. Many things have taken place. For instance, there has been a better babies contest held at the Arizona. state fair. Agnes Marie Fraser, the very small daughter of MT. and Mrs. Malcolm A. Fraser, was an entrant in that contest and was awarded one of the prizes.
 The Arizona Republican now gets in the story. for on Sunday morning, December Is, the picture of Agnes Marie Fraser, in company with the pictures of three other winning babies at the better babies contest, appeared on a prominent page of that paper. Below the pictures in a brief story were the names of the parents of the prize winning babies, including those of MT. and Mrs. Malcolm A. Fraser. | Next day MT. Fraser received a call at his house from Frank La Mont, Tempe jeweler. MT La Mont informed him that he had in his possession a very handsome watch in the case of which was the namt of MT. Fraser. The watch, MT, Ls Mont explained, had been brought tc ms store for repairs by a Mexican who gave the name of Arcadis Lue. Verno. The jeweler had been sur prised that the Mexican should hay, such a watch in his possession ant especially one that evidently had beer a gift watch
 The matter remained in his mind ana next morning while reading tn, sunday morning Arizona Republican he noticed the pictures of the fouI winning better babies," and noted that the father of one was Malcolm A. Fraser, the identical name on fh. watch left with him by the Mexican The visit to Phoenix and the call ol MT. Fraser resulted.
 The Mexican was to return ol Thursday for the watch, and Nil Fraser and the jeweler arranged {, have Chief of Police Brisbois of Phoe nix and the Tempe constable presen when the Mexican called. To thos officials Lueverno declared that hi brother-in-law had found the watcl near the railroad tracks in Temp and had sold it to him. No furthe explanation could be secured from tn
 Mexican nor would he change hi story.
 When informed that the watch ha, been stolen and that the owner wa known, the MeXicon had the nerve t insist that a reward was due hin Tor having aided in restoring tn
 watch to MT. Fraser. He though that s2 would be about right. Tn Mexican was not held, and MT. Erase was informed of the outcome of tn interview. The Mexican was told t return.
 Extremely gratified at the recoved
 Of the watch, Mir. Fraser did not car
 to attempt any prosecution of tn
 Mexican, and therefore late yesterda
 afternoon, in company with Chief c
 Police Brisbois, he went to Temu
 ana secured the watch, paying tn
 Mexican the s reward" Upon de
 mand, the Mexican also produced fin missing fob. but insisted that he di not nave the locket. The case of tn watch was badly dented and tn winding stem is missing, but other wise it is intact.
 This is the best Christmas preser l could ask,' declared MT. Fraser las night after he had recovered his gil watch.
 Had there not been a better babie contest held at the last state fair an had not the Fraser baby won a priz at that contest and had not the pic ture been printed in The Republica and had not the Tempe jeweler bee
 subscriber of the Republican an had not-but what's the use. Yo can't beat Chance.