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Newspaper Page Text
wmmmmmmmmmmmm HELD IN TRUST By George. Elmer Cobb (Copyright by vG. Chapman.) " The "magnet city" had attracted Joel Benson with its bright lights and glowing fascinations, only to cast him away when his little store of money was gone. He was too proud to let his friends back in the little country village he had left and for which he now longed "-know of his condi tion. Practically, he had become a tramp. Poor clothes shut him out from? de cent employment. Poor food began to show its effects. Just off a quiet street, where a paved alley held a broad-topped ash bin, wearied and discouraged, he had stretched out to try to forget hunger in sleep. Once he awoke. It was at the echo of a cry for help. In his sodden slum ber, however, he treated it as part of his dream and never opened his eyes. Early daylight aroused him. No one was astir but himself, it seemed. He yawned, rubbed his eyes and mechan ically glanced about him. "Hello!" he ejaculated, and went over to where a man's hat lay. Then he noticed that its top was stove in, and near it was a piece of lead pipe. He shivered and turned to hurry away. The implication was irresisti ble; footpads, the victim slugged, to wander away later on, hatless and dazed. "If the police happened on me they would link me up with the busi ness," meditated Joel, and started briskly to make clear of his suspicious environment. "Hello!" he uttered a second time, and now his eyes snapped eagerly and hope succeeded fear. For a few feet away from the hat lay -a flat, bulky case. It was half pocketbook, half a tiny sample recep tacle. It lay in a heap of rubbish. He picked it up. "Oh!" The aspiration was marveling, yet ecstatic. As he opened one side of the case there flashed up at him a dozen rare gems, radiant diamonds, opaline pearls in rich heavy gold set tings. Breathlessly Joel opened the opposite section, to draw but a folded banknote One thousand dollars! His fingers tingled. Like Cinder ella touched by the fairy wand he seemed suddenly to be arrayed in rich raiment, to be riding in "a handsome Practically He Had Become a Tramp. touring car, and on his way to the most exclusive restaurant in the city, able to rival a nabob. Then suddenly Joel thrust the tempting case out of sight vinto an in-, side pocket of his ragged coat. He was trembling all over, the cold per spiration stood in icy drops on his forehead. The intense excitement of the moment made his steps unsteady as he hurried from the spot. "Not -mine, so its no brealsfast!" hg mimtmiimmmm