Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-08-10
An Old .Signet
Ring
By HAROLD SINCLAIR

IlIly QOllulS is not IL EIeut utui Oh
money, but il appeared fortune TO
Alvin Morrison. lie was young. he
had always had TO earn his own liv-
ing. lie had TO endure the misfor-
tune Of working In store owned by
a relative, who promised a great deal
and never redeemed his promise. A
sense OF family duty and the uncer-
talnty Of finding employment, kept
Alvin pegging along in the same old
rut
In the spring, Nettle Bridges. who
lived one hundred miles away from
Wayne, came TO visit friend. Alvin
met her. They mutually fell In love.
When they parted. Nettic was willing
TO wait, and Alvin TO work. and they
talked of meeting again next year in
stead oc next week, as most Impatient
modern lovers do.
Then Alvin set 10 work to save.
He got some extra night work. He
saved up fifty dollars. Right on top
OF it came glad, hopeful letter from
Nettic The father of girl friend
wanted clerk. His business was
good. he would pay liberal wages
Ncttie had spoken a word for her
lover friend. Alvin wrote to the mer-
chant at Hopedale. A reply accepted
his application and he was TO report
in week
ITS wonderful place." declared
A htc Arc In i0
city. II could spend month here
and not see half the sights"
The second day he sat on a bench
in public park. A man came limp
ing up to him, sat down, and moved
about SO helplcssly and in such APP
parent pain, that Alvin noticed him
Are you ill?" finally Inquired Alvin,
feeling pity for anyone m trouble.
"Worse than tHat." said the mar
with a groan. I'm going to a hos
pital this afternoon"
THAT is really too bad" comment
cd honest Alvin. 81 do hope you will
get better"
The man shook his head In dismal
hopclcssncss. Then he edged closer
10 Alvin, looked all around them and
said in a low, confidential tone:
"If YOU had a little money, young
man, I could easily help myself and
double what you had"
"Why, how is that?" inquired Alvin,
his curiosity fully aroused.
''Well, I'll tell you. Read that"
The man drew 81 morning newspaper
from his pocket and handed 1t to AL
vim. his finger indicating an advertise
ment reading:
lost: An old signet ring bearing
n seal with the initial s. Inside is the
inscriptions L. TO s. 1904 An old
family relic. WI pay two hundred
dollars FOR its return to l1412 Ninety
first avenue" s.
II found that Sing."
lie took from his pocket big circlet
as lie spoke. Alvin looked 1t over.
why. its The very ring. isn't lit"
nc exclaimed.
"Of course IT is'' assentcd the man
"Why. I should think you would re-
turn it right away" suggested Alvin.
"Iumph--rrn In nice trim TO do
that; can hardly walk" retorted the
man. ~ must get some money right
away. You notice there Is a reward
OF two hundred dollars offered. Say,
YOU can help me. Find somebody
who will give me forty dollars cash
FOR the ring, and I'll give you ten dol
lars for your trouble
"See here" Alvin said finally, ~
have n little money"
The deal was made. Alvin had
just six dollars left out OF his fifty
after the transaction. lie was elated
as he took a street car. He reached
his destination at last--a vacant lot !!
Slowly it dawned upon Alvin that
he had been swindled.
Alvin paused as he came to a build
ing bearing the sign police Station"
He entered it quite hopeless,y, but re-
cited his story TO the sergeant.
"Why. say" observed the latter, af-
ter smiling at his visitors gullibility,
chat ring description sounds sort Of
familiar to me-" and he scanned a
complaint book. Here we are" he
continued. THAT ring was among II
lot of valuable jewelry stolen month
ago. You wait here"
The Official tclcphoned. II abcu. en-
hour a portly well-dressed gentleman
in his automobile. The ser
geant explained to him. He was the
person whose home had been robbed.
He was greatly pleased to recover
the ring. valuing 1t greatly as an old
family heirloom.
Mr.. Seward, the man who had been
robbed, insisted on taking Alvin
home with him. The next day the
swindler was arrested. and the re-
OF the plumber was recovered
at pawn shops.
When Alvin left the city, he carried
n present of one hundred dollars from
Mr.. SewaTd Alvin with his doubled
nest egg and his eye teeth cut, soon
became partner with his new en-
ployer. Then he married the girl Of