Haste and Waste | Page 8

conveying foot-passengers across the lake, which was fastened to a stake on the shore. Taking the oars, he pulled with all his might toward the ferry-boat. He was a stout boy, and handled his oars very skillfully; but before he could reach the scene of the excitement, his father had returned to the bateau.
"There's your coat," said John Wilford.
Mr. Randall seized the garment with convulsive energy, and with trembling hands felt for the pocketbook in which the six thousand dollars had been kept.
"It is gone!" gasped he; and he seemed ready to sink down in the bottom of the boat when he discovered his loss.
"Gone!" exclaimed John Wilford.
"What's the matter?" asked Lawry.
"I've lost my pocketbook with six thousand dollars in it," groaned the bank director.
"How did you lose it?" demanded Lawry.
"That drop came down and let my coat into the lake; but I don't see how my pocketbook could get out of the coat."
"I don't believe the money was in the pocket," added the ferryman.
"Yes, it was," persisted Mr. Randall.
"I don't see how it could fall out of the pocket," said John Wilford.
"Nor I; but the money is gone," answered the bank director, with a vacant stare. "I'm ruined!"
"Well, I can't help it. I've done all I could for you. I tried to save it; and if I get the rheumatism for a month or two, it will be a bad job for me."
"Wasn't the pocketbook in the pocket when you picked up the coat?" asked Mr. Randall, walking up to the ferryman.
"How should I know?" replied John Wilford. "I gave you the coat just as I found it."
"I don't believe the pocketbook would sink," added the director. "There was nothing but paper in it."
"Of course it wouldn't sink, then," interposed the owner of the vehicle in the ferry-boat.
"I don't think it would," said Mr. Randall.
"I know it wouldn't," protested the stranger. "I dropped my pocketbook into the lake once, and it floated ten minutes before I could get it again."
"Then it must be floating about on the water," added Lawry. "I will try to find it."
"I'll go with you," said Mr. Randall.
They got into the boat, and Lawry pulled about the spot where the coat had fallen into the water for half an hour without discovering the pocketbook.
"I suppose I must give it up," sighed the director.
"I'm sure it's not on the water," replied Lawry.
"Do you suppose it would sink?"
"I don't know; the gentleman in the ferry-boat says it wouldn't."
"Stop a minute, boy, and I will soon find out," continued the unfortunate loser of the money.
He took all the money and papers out of his wallet, and stuffed it with pieces of newspaper which Lawry gave him. Having thus prepared the wallet, which he said was of the same material as the lost pocketbook, he placed it on the surface of the water, holding his hand underneath to save it, in case the trial should result differently from his anticipations. It floated, and he removed his hand from under it to exhibit his confidence in the law he had tested.
"That's plain enough," said he. "My pocketbook hasn't gone to the bottom."
"It certainly has not," replied Lawry.
"Then where is it?--that's the next question."
"Are you sure it was in your pocket when you got into the ferry-boat?"
"Just as sure as I am that I sit here."
"You were very careless about your coat on board of the sloop."
"I know I was."
"I don't see how a man could throw down his coat with six thousand dollars in the pocket," said Lawry.
"I know I'm careless; but I'm so used to carrying money that I don't think much about it. I always carry it in a pocket inside of my vest," continued the director, putting his hand in the place indicated; "but this is a new vest, and hasn't any such pocket. Things don't look all right to me. Is the ferryman your father?"
"Yes, sir; he is."
"Well, the money's gone," added Mr. Randall. "We will go back to the ferry-boat."
"Did you find it?" asked John Wilford, as the bank director stepped into the bateau.
"No; but I'm certain it has not gone to the bottom."
"Where is it, then?"
"I don't know; can you tell me?"
Mr. Randall looked at the ferryman very sharply. His manner indicated that he had some suspicions.
"How can I tell you?" replied John Wilford.
"The money was in the coat pocket when you picked it up in the water-- I know it was."
"Do you mean to say I took it out?" demanded the ferryman angrily.
"If you didn't, I don't see what has become of it."
"Do you mean to accuse my father of stealing?" said Lawry indignantly.
"I don't accuse him of anything; but here are the facts, and you can all see for yourselves."
"You throw your coat down anywhere. It would have gone overboard from the