The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-03

landlady being in an especial good humor one
day, unlocked the old.fashioned bureau-her
domestic bank-drew ont what she called "tbe
secret drawer" and unfolding piece of dirty
paper, which, however, proved TO be q bank
note for ten pounds, showed me my godfa-
theirs guinea" l knew it was the same, from
q particular mark had myself made upon it,
and, had / only had the other in nv pocket.
should have found little difficulty in effectine
the exchange there and then but of course,
as usual in those days, was doomed to iii
luck, not a rap had about me.
1t was like draining the very life's blood to
replace it in the owners (2) hand; but did it,
enduring the while true martyrdom. 81 al.
ways" she said, as she refolded it, "wrap it up
in one of these notes." and coiling the dirty
tissue round it, my guinea was under lock and
key in trice. There is, however, some com.
fort, thought 1 1 now know the exact spot on
which it lies; could find it in the dark what
what a comfort they do not keep it in their bed.
rooml had carefully noticed the key belong
| ing to the bureau, and that very night 1 Dor
rowed it in this wise. The landlord not being
very well, this was Mrs. Aliens way of convey
| ing an intimation that be had taken drop too
much went early to bed. Just before reti
| ring, entered my landlsdy's peculiar sanctum,
and noticing her keys on the table, / asked for
something, which would, knew, oblige her to
leave the room, and during her absence de-
tached the one l so coveted the loan of from
| the bunch. l took from her hand the article
she had been to fetch, babe her "good night"
and, before my back was turned, heard her clat-
ter the rest of the keys into her capacious
pocket, where was we'll convinced they would
rest till morning, unless anything very uncom.
mon occurred to prevent. My landlord was
oil / tha
stairs and in his happy condition there was
little fear of rousing him by anything short of
vigorous shaking. My landlady, honest wo-
man, worked hard during the day; and when
she sought her couch, fell asleep at once, and
paid attention to it. know this fact WE'LL be-
cause my room was divided from theirs by
rather thin partition, and at times the united
corjugal snorers were more powerful than
agreeable.
On this occasion hailed the addition of her
nasal treble to her husbands sonorous bass, as
the most enchanting union of sounds that had
ever saluted my ears. The servants slept in
distant part of the house. l had no fear Of
them; and living in the hostel as did, anything
short of being caught in the act of prigging
the cash." l was prepared for. Softly, noise
lessly, / stole down stairs. The moon was shi.
ming through the window, iron .barred but shut
terless, and gave me light enough for my pur.
pose.
l succeeded in opening the bureau. took
out the little dirty.looking parcel, replacing it
by the other guinea duly wrapped in a ten
pound note as diDgy as the one enclosing my
guinea. Again locked the bureau, and finally
deposited the key on the floor close to the table
where the bunch had lain three hours before,
that it might seem to have been accidentally
dropped there. could have shouted and com.
mitted all sorts of absurdities in my extravs-
giant delight at recovering my treasure; but l
was compelled to restrain myself. / did not
unfold the paper-I was too sure Of my game
to need the confirmation of sight-but hastily
pushed it with the guinea into new case pre-
pared beforehand, and stitched it up.
slept not was too much excited and
when morning came, feigned illness, and lay
in bed, for fear my intense delight should mani
fest ITSELF As to describing what felt, it would
lie ridiculous to attempt it. stayed week
after recovering my treasure 1 witnessed the
finding of the bureau.key by my landlady be-
fore she was aware of its loss, and became pref
ty we'll convinced that detection was impossible.
Then, pretanding business. babe farewell to
the Lucky Guinea, its burly landlord ana smi
ling landady; and, leaving "the Peak" in it's
autumn beauty, journeyed to London. Arrived
there, CHANGED to take up newspaper, and
in it saw piece of news which deserved the
name of " staggerer." 1t was to the effect
that my former banker, having been fortunate
in his second start in life, was in position to
make 6mends to those who had suffered by his
first false one.
Such things had been done, / knew but
when saw the printed request that his old
creditors would assemble and receive their own,
principal and interest, rubbed my eyes, be-
lieving they deceived me. Happening to touch
the ribbon which was attached to my guinea.
case. I felt it was all right enough, and went
to the meeting, and received my cash, which
made me really rich man again. From that
time / was very cautious and began to be es.
teemed lucky fellow also Indeed" said
to myself, "that must be; have l not once more
my Godfather's Guinea?'"
Two years after my burglarious act, I-be
thought myself l would open the little shrine
which contained my golden IDOL and burn the
note in which it was wrapped, that 40 trace of
the deception might remain. 1 should like to
pause here ad h6itum-I hardly know how 10
relate the rest.
Believers in duck" cherishers of crooked
sixpences, and ell the thousandand one articles
esteemed efficacious in hringing it, trembe for
your faith. My pet superstition was shivered
to atoms with q precipitancy which causes
cold perspiration to come over me when ] think
of the shock my nervous system then received.
/ would defer the end, if ! could nay, rather
let me hasten it. opened the case, unfolded
the greasy note, and saw, in place Of nay god.
fathers ancient guinea, bran new bright soy.
ereign. They we're Just coming into fashion
when left worthy Jim Aliens; and this, doubt
less the first of its kind which fell into his wfe's
hands, had been wrapped up in another of those
notes. l need scarcely add, that from that tine
abandoned all hope of recoyeTing I" my God.
fathers Guinea" RUTH BUCK.