“Mister, mister! I guess you’ve lost something!”
Mr. Putchett turned quickly, and saw a little girl, six or seven years of age, running toward him. In one hand she held a small pail and wooden shovel, and in the other something bright, which was too large for her little hand to cover.
She reached the broker’s side, turned up a bright, healthy face, opened her hand and displayed a watch, and said:
“It was right there on the bench where you were sitting. I couldn’t think what it was, it shone so.”
MR. PUTCHETT’S NEW FRIEND.
Mr. Putchett at first looked suspiciously at the child, for he had at one period of his life labored industriously in the business of dropping bogus pocketbooks and watches, and obtaining rewards from persons claiming to be their owners.
Examining the watch which the child handed him, however, he recognized it as one upon which he had lent twenty dollars earlier in the day.
First prudently replacing the watch in the pocket of his pantaloons, so as to avoid any complication while settling with the finder, he handed the child a quarter.
“Oh, no, thank you,” said she, hastily; “mamma gives me money whenever I need it.”