George Franklin, local blacksmith residing on Derita road, is wondering if the lesson in the story about the Good Samaritan holds good in these days, since his experience with a stranger, “down and out,” whom he received into his home Friday night.
A bountiful supper, a feather bed and a hot breakfast did not suffice in the case of one John who called at Mr. Franklin’s home about sunset Friday and cursed the world in which he lived for the luck it had bestowed upon him.
John was heaping further curses upon the old universe Saturday morning after he ahd been pulled from a freight train at Mooresville and placed under arrest on a charge of stealing a box of cigars and a pistol from Mr. Franklin’s home.
“I’m down and out, brother, down and out,” John told Mr. Franklin, when the latter responded to a knock at his door. “I’ve got no money, no job, no nothing. I’ve no place to lay my head and I’m losing strength for lack of sustaining food.”
Mr. Franklin’s big heart went out in sympathy for the unfortunate, Mrs. Franklin fixed up a hot supper. Soon the stranger was stretching his feet before a glowing fire and enjoying one of Mr. Franklin’s cigars. He said little, puffing away and thinking deeply, apparently.
To bed he went with a warm good night and a reiteration of his deep appreciation for the spirit of neighborliness displayed by his hosts. Morning found him rested and ready for ham and eggs.
Profusely thanking his host and hostess, and regretting his inability to pay with money, he went his way, to the best of the knowledge and belief of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin.
Mrs. Franklin brought her husband to Young’s blacksmith shop on East Fifth street and returned home in about a half hour. Then discovery was made that the box of cigars, from which one had been taken the preceding night for the gratification of John’s desire for a few puffs, was gone, and Mr. Franklin’s pistol was also missing.
Officer J.C. Mayson at police headquarters was notified. His detective instinct told him that doubtless the thief had taken passage on a freight train which passed in front of the Franklin home. Police up the line between Charlotte and Winston were notified. Chief Thomason of the Mooresville police, pulled John from beneath the freight. The box of cigars and the pistol were found in his possession.
A warrant has been issued by Mr. Franklin before a local magistrate and John will be brought back here for trial Monday.
From the Charlotte News and Evening Chronicle, Sunday evening, Feb. 20, 1921
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