The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-17
Billy Atherton's
Christmas Money
By WILLIAM CHANDLER

When Billy Atherton was about to
start home at noon on the day before
Christmas from the office of Stuart &
Co., he was called into Mr.. stuarts Of
ice.
Billy, here's a Christmas gift for
you" said his employer and handed
him check for sos.
Billy's face lighted with Joy. He had
not been with the firm long, and his
salary was meager. He had been hop
ing that 1t would be raised on the first
Of the new year, but had not counted
on receiving anything besides his ten
dollar weekly pay before that time.
'Next year We'll give you an addi-
donal IS a week." added Mr.. Stuart.
Billy left the office rejoicing. His
mother was widow and poor. There
were several little children in the fam
lily and nothing with which to celebrate
Christmas. Billy's first impulse was to
buy a lot Of gifts to take home with
him. Then he remembered that he
must first get his check cashed While
he was going to the bank he concluded
to take the money home and give 1t to
his mother to spend as she thought
best.
He was known at the bank. having
often made deposits there for his en-
ployers, and had no difficulty in getting
the money. He rolled the bills to-
gether and crammed them into his
trousers pocket. Then, giving place at
the paying teller's window to the next
person in line, he ran outside and stood
waiting for trolley car to take him
home. The first car that came along
was crowded, but Billy forced his way
through those on the platform and hung
on to strap.
Billy was thinking of the pleasure in
store for his mother at seeing his roll
of bills when a man standing next to
him cried out:
"Give me my money!
He was looking straight at Billy, and
yet Billy was some time getting on to
the fact that the man referred to him.
"You give me back them bills you
took out o. my pocketv' the man reiter-
ated.
"If you mean me-" said Billy, you've
made a mistake"
mo. I haven't. I thought there was
somethin' up when you jostled me.
When l got my hand down into my
pocket my money was gone"
Billy protested that he was innocent,
but the man was immovable and cried
out to the conductor to stop the car at
the next corner. The car was stopped,
and traffic policeman called rounds
man, who took Billy and his accuser
on the car There the latter told his
story.
"Shall run him in?" asked the Of
hcer.
"Sure!'
"Well, you'll have to come along too"
Poor Billy was marched to police
station and placed before sergeant at
the desk. When his accuser had stated
his case the sergeant asked him how
much money had been taken from
him.
Twenty five dollars"
Billy turned pale. The sergeant or
dered him to turn out his pockets. He
responded by taking out the rcI, of
bills he had drawn from the bank and
handing them to the officer. They
were counted and corresponded exact
~ with the amount the man said he
had lost
The sergeant looked somewhat sur.
prised. Billy did not look like thief
"How long have you been a crook p
asked the sergeant of Billy.
I'm not a crook" replied the boy
with a tremor in his voice. ''That $25
I have Just drawn from the bank. II
was given me for Christmas"
"What bank?"
"The Tenth National"
The sergeant took up a telephone
and asked II a check had recently been
paid to William Anterior. The paying
teller replied In the affirmative. The
amount was $25.
II thought So" remarked the ser.
geant and, looking at the accuser, add.
cd: II reckon you're the crook and this
young man is the victim. You saw him
draw the money, got on the same cal
with him and played your game"
At that moment a policeman entered
the station and, seeing Billy's accuser
looked hard at him. Then he said
"Hello, Tom Flynn! When did you
get outf'
At this the man owned up. He had
stood in line before the cashiers win
dow, saw Billy draw the money, felt In
his pocket for a check he didn't find
and, running out was In time to get or
the car with Billy.
He was put back In the penitentiary
from which he had recently come.
When Billy reached home he had 81
much to tell his mother that he scarce
~ knew where to begin.
Mother, I've been accused of rob
berry," he said.
"Great heavenv'
II was taken to the police station"
"Oh, dearr'
my salary has been raised for mex