Lost an Found

People leave a lot in my cabs. Cell phones and keys are the most common. Last night an original painting was left. I later found out it was a $2000 portrait of Irish Revolutionary, Michael Collins. I knew where the guy lived, but it was real far away. I had driven out there twice, once with him, when he forgot the painting, and again with his car. I did not fin the painting until I was leaving my cab to go inside my house. The guy was not a goo tipper, but he was fairly prominent. Most importantly I knew where he drank. So I decided I would drop it by there so I would not have to drive out to the next county with it.
I was on my way to pick up the bar's owner, who is a regular and he recognized the painting right away. He said the man had been wondering about it earlier. I offered to bring it in then and there, but the customer asked me to wait until I returned. The passenger that left it did not remember getting home the night before. I had insisted he take my number as he has entrusted me with his keys to shuttle his car home later that night. But the scribbled name an number probably meant nothing to him. I brought it in, and I think the whole bar cheered. It was a good thing. But I will say this, had he been a better tipper, I'd have brought it to his home without hesitation.

notorious

ALA Librarian Sues Robbers for Assault: "Librarian Sues Robbers for Assault
A librarian at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, who was shot with a stun gun, tied up, and blindfolded during a robbery of rare books and artworks has sued the four men who admitted to the theft.
Special Collections Librarian Betty Jean Gooch filed the lawsuit November 1 in Fayette County Circuit Court, claiming the men assaulted, battered, and falsely imprisoned her. She is seeking damages for physical, mental, and emotional suffering, as well as medical expenses and lost wages, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported November 2.

This has been a traumatic ordeal for her, said Lee Roland, Gooch's attorney.
The four former college students pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court April 21 to the December 2004 robbery. Sentencing is scheduled for December 6. Because they assaulted Gooch during the theft, they face a maximum of 75 years in prison and over $1 million in fines.
The stolen works, which included an 1859 first edition of Darwin's The Origin of Species and 20 pencil sketches by John James Audubon, were returned to the library after the men were arrested in February.
Posted November 4, 2005; modified November 18, 2005."