photo credit: The Daily Herald, Joe Lewnard / AP
Yesterday a delightfully heartwarming news was all over the Internet. A 54-year old man in the Chicago, IL area returned a bag containing $17,021 cash. He could have taken the bag home and spent the money like it were his (finders, keepers... remember?). But because his deceased parents raised him not to spend someone else’s hard-earned money, he did the right and honorable thing.
Wow. This kind of positive "chicken soup for the soul" news never fails to get everyone excited! Amidst so much terrorism and catastrophic events in our world, something comes along that brings a happy song to the heart.
The man, Robert Adams was craving for a large horchata (a refreshing rice or coconut milk drink). He wanted a chorizo burrito to go with the drink, but he didn’t have the money. He went to a Chase ATM and found a clear plastic bag sitting nearby. It obviously contained checks, receipts and cash. Because it was a clear plastic bag, Adams could clearly see the $20 and $100 bills inside. That could have paid for more than a year’s worth of chorizo burritos and horchata! The thought that it might have been a set-up did cross his mind because it seemed just too good to be true.
In the end, his parents’ upbringing about honesty ruled over his action. Since “Chase” was printed on the plastic bag, Adams assumed that’s the bank it belonged to so he took the bag to the nearest Chase branch. The teller informed him that the bag didn’t belong there as the ATM was replenished from inside so there wasn’t any reason why a bag would be left outside.
When the police was notified, it was discovered that the bag was left behind by a Loomis courier that was supposed to have taken the bag to another ATM location.
The news didn’t indicate whether or not Adams could expect a reward for his honesty.
The comments posted on the Internet following the article were hilarious, to quote:
“Elect this man to Congress. At least we would have one honest man there.”
“Honest guy! Esp. in this economy!”
“What an honest man; people like him are hard to find.”
“They definitely should do something for the guy – even though we all know there are a few cameras in and around that cash machine, he might have been able to walk away with it – hook him up with his favorite burrito stand.”
“Hats off to you, Robert Adams. Yo have proven that honesty is the best policy. You are a good man and I hope that you are justly rewarded for your actions.”
“Honesty pays in the end and is its own reward, but dang, they could have at least bought this man’s burrito and cold drink.”
Whether or not Adams gets rewarded, I'm sure that his parents are now smiling from ear to ear.
