Honest Lynner gives back found cash

LYNN – What would you do if you found an envelope with $700 in it?Maybe check to see if anyone is looking and pocket the cash? That thought apparently never crossed Chris Russell?s mind when he came across a bundle of money on May 5.?If it was my money, I would want someone to return it,” he said. “I always try to live by the golden rule.”The story unfolded when Lynn native Michael Estey, 63, was in town from Arizona for a funeral and was staying with his sister at her home at 170 South Common St. Estey had been using a computer in the city-owned building?s lobby when he misplaced the envelope containing a wad of cash.?I was checking into my flight for the next day and had the numbers I need written on the envelope,” Estey said. “And then I just got up and walked away without the envelope.”A few days passed and Estey?s sister heard that Russell, a maintenance man with the Lynn Housing Authority, had found the envelope and was looking for its rightful owner.?She told me that he (Estey) had gone crazy looking for the money,” he said. “I gave it back to her because I?ve worked in that building for many years and I know most of the tenants like family.”Russell?s good deed didn?t go unnoticed by Estey, who called him to thank him and gave him $100 as a reward.?I thanked him very much for being honest,” Estey said. “I?m very fortunate.”Russell said the reward money came in handy, since he had just taken some friends out to dinner and footed the bill.