to
remain there permanently. I am grateful to America for what I have
received at her hands during my long stay under her flag; and to one
of her citizens--a citizen of Hadleyburg--I am especially grateful for
a great kindness done me a year or two ago. Two great kindnesses in
fact. I will explain. I was a gambler. I say I WAS. I was a ruined
gambler. I arrived in this village at night, hungry and without a
penny. I asked for help--in the dark; I was ashamed to beg in the
light. I begged of the right man. He gave me twenty dollars--that is
to say, he gave me life, as I considered it. He also gave me fortune;
for out of that money I have made myself rich at the gaming-table. And
finally, a remark which he made to me has remained with me to this
day, and has at last conquered me; and in conquering has saved the
remnant of my morals: I shall gamble no more. Now I have no idea who
that man was, but I want him found, and I want him to have this money,
to give away, throw away, or keep, as he pleases. It is merely my way
of testifying my gratitude to him. If I could stay, I would find him
myself; but no matter, he will be found. This is an honest town, an
incorruptible town, and I know I can trust it without fear. This man
can be identified by the remark which he made to me; I feel persuaded
that he will remember it.

"And now my plan is this: If you prefer to conduct the inquiry
privately, do so. Tell the contents of this present writing to any
one who is likely to be the right man. If he shall answer, 'I am the
man; the remark I made was so-and-so,' apply the test--to wit: open
the sack, and in it you will find a sealed envelope containing that
remark. If the remark mentioned by the candidate tallies with it,
give him the money, and ask no further questions, for he is certainly
the right man.

"But if you shall prefer a public inquiry, then publish this present
writing in the local paper--with these instructions added, to wit:
Thirty days from now, let the candidate appear at the town-hall at
eight in the evening (Friday), and hand his remark, in a sealed
envelope, to the Rev. Mr. Burgess (if he will be kind enough to act);
and let Mr. Burgess there and then destroy the seals of the sack, open
it, and see if the remark is correct: if correct, let the money be
delivered, with my sincere gratitude,