The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-07-23
By A. F. G. COPEL

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Headquarters knew Mr. Sinkers Ma
lone was out.
Central office men had pleasant
way of doing that.
But Central Office men seldom
knocked; or, if they did, they knocked
only after proving to their satisfaction
that the door was locked.
Sinkers began to creep toward the
door, his hand outstretched for the
key.
There was another knock. He put
his foot against the door and shot
the bolt. who's there?" he asked.
why, friend" said hesitating
voice, mans on the other side.
what do you want?" demanded
Sinkers, bold and gruff with relief.
That voice, at any rate, never came
from the throat of policeman.
81 wish to make you present-of
considerable value" said the voice.
Sinkers was paralyzed with aston
ishment. After moment of staring,
first at his staring wife and then at
the door, he asked, "Huh?"
81 said that 1 wished to make you
present" repeated the voice. 1t was
a well-rounded, well-kept voice, that
might have come from well-rounded,
well-kept man. 81 come in all kindii-
ness and good will Of course if you
do not care to open the door 1 will go
away. At the same time, I think 1
have something to offer you that you
may be glad to have"
Some fool charity worker" the
girl suggested to Sinkers in a stage
whisper. might as well let him in
The man outside laughed, laughed
heartily. "No, Pm not a charity
worker, fool or otherwise" he said.
I'm merely, as l said, a friend. And
Pm absolutely harmless. You might
open the door, anyway, and hear what
have to say"
the unknown arguments. eff you've
got anything to say, say it through the
door," he recommended Get me?"
Thanks for the suggestions; prob
ably 1 can say it through the door
the door," admitted the man outside.
he was evidently very good and for
bearing man. Il merely wish to say
that l lost that purse you found, that
saw you pick it up, that followed at
a discreet distance"
Il didn't find any purse; don't you
go getting gay!' interrupted Sinkers
with righteous indignation.
"And that l made inquiries on the
first floor about you," continued the
81 learned that you had just returned
from-from a place that may make
it difficult for you to secure imme-
diate employment; and therefore ]
wish to present you both purse and
contents with my very best wishes.
That is my first present to you"
There was silence for a moment, and
then the question, Can you hear what
I say?"
81 hear you," said Sinkers. Il
didn't find no purse; but gas along
if you like it; l can stand it if you
can"
81 wish also to remove from you
any faint of not having come by the
money honestly" proceeded the voice.
Since my card is inside, if you didn't
return the purse you might be open
to the suspicion of having been not
ouite-honest. l wish you to start to-
day with clean slate. That is my
second present to you. Do you under
stand what l mean?"
Sinkers replied, after short,
thoughtful pause: "Say, DO, you got
me mixed up with the grass. Wise up,
wise up! You want to get me to split
l found that purse, then you'll toddlc
I'D with a cop. l didn't find no purse!
Nor it won't do you no good to bring
cop up here"
II don't blame you for your sus-
picions," interrupted the man. 81
blame your experience with life, which
has hardened you. I shall report my
loss to no cop, came, as l said, in all
friendliness and good will. In these
peace on earth, good will toward men
Now I'm going; I shall only say that
l hope you will have a peaceful Sunday
and that the good will and gentle
ness of Christ will soften your heart
toward your neighbors; for your heart
seems to have been hardened, and that
is worse for you than for others Good
lbye!"