The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-06-18
How q Blind Mendi-
cant Aided Cupid
@ 1871 w.-s.r. N.w.p.,.r U.l..l

/. @ 1871 w.-s.ra S.w-p.ssr U.ss.l
With the pzEc OF q smile walter
Davis ruled all tho little werid of
lMilvflle- he had started In Mt the
bank as messenger, and at twenty-five.
bright. intelligent. energetic. had
worked his way into the favor Of ev-
cry person connected with that insti-
tuition from the president down 70 the
Janitor-save one.
The exception was Bruce Lowell.
He seemed always to have envied Wal
ter his rapid advancement and popu-
larity. II the Iight-hearted Waiter
had more closely scanned the surface
OF affairs. he -suld have noticed that
Lowell sSS~led at him most particu-
ley when he was In the company Of
Visla Merton the daughter OF the
president OF the bank and the belle
Of the town.
Walter was always doing kind
things and making other people happy.
II was ne marvel to anybody, there
fore. when one day. going home to
supper from the bank. he stopped to
speak to blind man slowly making
his way along the street
"Can I help you. friendf' inquired
Walter, In his warna-hearted, impul-
sive way.
why, yes" replied the beggar. Il
want to be set right on the road to
Clyde"
why don't you take the trainr
asked Walter.
Because / have no money" was the
blunt response.
But i have. and there you areI"
cried Walter. handing the mendicant
q two-dollar bin.
Hold on" spoke the blind man.
IL want TO know your name, any
how" Persisted the msndicant.
walter Davis"
I'll rercember it. This is the most
timely nelp I have ever received"
Tine parting benison Of the blind
man, however, did not follow out. In
stead, bad luck, indeed, came to the
young banK clerk. The following day
the manager Of the bank called him
into his private Office, serious-faeed
and somewhat distant In his manner.
Davis" he said. II am sorry to tell
you that you viii have to take leave
Of absence until the return of the
president Of the bank, Mr.. Merton"
why. what does this meanr' ex-
claimed Walter. staring vaguely.
-Just this: Only yourself and Mr..
Merton have keys to the bank. Com
ing from another town late In the
morning. / have found no use for one.
Last night someone entered the bank
and removed the money and notes we
keep IT. me cashiers box II is not
usually locked mp In the vault, as the
sam it holds Is generally small How
ever, the notes and some two hundred
dollars are missing"
The matter was plainly put and
Walter could not rebel.
Walter kept up q brave front In
nocence armed him against real fret
ding, and hope made him CHEEKY and
bright as usual
81 have good news for you" an
nounced his lawyer, appearing at the
Davis home Just after dusk enc eve
ming. He was quite excited, and he
had a companion at whom Walter
glanced curiously and then recog.
nized.
"why. I've seen you before" said
Walter.
"Yes. you gave me some help about
q week ago." replied the blind man.
81 happened In town today. learned
CT your trouble and found ysur law
yer.
go ahead, Mr.. Lawyer. You've de-
scribed that fellow, Lowell he tai
lies. Give me q sight Of him"
II was q moonless night Suddenly.
as they turned a corner. they came
face to face with Bruce Lowell.
strolling along by himself The blind
man took a step forward, bent his
glance On the approaching figure. and
cried out sharply.
That Ia the mani"
you are positiver questioned the
lawyer.
I'D swear 70 him anywhere"
avowed the mendicant That man
was one Of two men whom saw en-
ter the bank ut midnight on the night
of the robbery. The fellow with him
had q wooden leg"
~what In this nonsenser demanded
Lowell Indignantly. but pale and trem-
bling.
This man Identifies you 40 enc q
the bank robbers. he says" replied
the lawyer.
~whyi but he 10 blind" exclaimed
Walter.
~Yes, day times" said the mendi-
cant Il am what IL called q nycta-
lops-I can see ut night"
The next morning the lawyer re-
membered that Lowell had q relative
there, an ex-convict, who had but one
leg. The man confessed to the crime.
Lo~eIl was given his walking pa
5ers and disappeared Somehow the
story got out. When the banker and
his daughter returned to Mfllvflle. IL
was to learn the whole story.
you seem always making people
happy" said Visla a few evenings
later. referring to the blind man.
whom Walter had sent again on his
way rejoicing. 'T wish was n for
tunate as you"
ar - -~.uv~ .skod Walfar