An Artful Dodger

Being rich and proud, the old railroad magúate would give a reasonable fortuue if this incident ia his career had never become public. He had left his office one afternooii, and in front of the building fonnd a crowd, attracted by a passing procession. He was pressing his way through when stopped by a brilliantly handsome youug womau whose face wore a troubled look. She wanted to reach a street in the northwestern part of the city and was at a loss what route to take. He gallantly helped her out of the crush, put her on the right car and told her where to get off. Wanting to kuow the time a few minutes later, he dove into his watch pocket, only to find it uuoccupied. A little profanity was followed by a chuckle, for the watch taken was a cheap afïair he was carryiug while his timepiece was being repaired. He had never suspected the beautiful young lady, but the next day she appeared in tears and restored the stolen watch. She was sorely pressed for money, had no one to whom she could go for help and had yielded to a momentary impulse. But her conscience gave her no rest until she repented and made restitution. She had thrown herself on his mercy, and the old gentleman was deeply moved. He insisted on her taking $50, to be returned if she was ever in a position to repay, otherwise to be regarded as a gift. Overeóme by a joyful reaction, she almost fainted and would have fallen but for the snpport of her beuefactor. When she was gone, he feit as a man who had done a good deed and was on the best of terms with himself. He even looked in the glass to smile congratulations at himself. There he discqvered that his big diamond pin was gone. The long pocketbook was missing from the inside pocket of his coat. With a weak hand be reached for his own $500 chronometer, and that, too, had vauished. He told no one but his wife, whom he swore to secrecy. That is how theaffair ?ot