The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-07-30
NY BRASS VALISE.
From Putnam's Magazine.

iOIi oti4dil
1t was not brass valise, of course, but
the name was first given it by Ambrose,
garcon at the NJ hotel, Calais, and the
name has since stuck to it. 1t was a good,
strong vallse, certainly large enough, and
1t Is not to be denied that in the way of
bands, studs, locks, and patent covers for
key holes, 1t had a somewhat unusual
quantity Of brass about it.
was standing on the deck Of the steam
err, which was just abou to leave for Do
yer, talking to my friend Jean Caboulet,
and my vaIise, which had successfully and
easily passed the difficult barrier Of the Gus
tom house, was lying at my feet.
My friend, Jean Caboulet, whom | had
known in New York, had been of great
service to me during my short soiourn in
France. | had spent few days with him
at bis residence in Calais when | first ar
rived on the Gallo Shores and | would
have been at his house the preceding night
h | not feared mountaineering his wife,
who was good woman with large fami-
ly, and not much room for them all SO |
had gone to the Nj hotel, when | reach
ed Calais the evening before, but Jean aud
L had been together the most of the day,
and he was now sending afectiona;e re-
membranes to a number Of our mutual
American friends While we were talking
(Jean was in hurry, for the boat would
soon start,) a man with blue cap, and
with great strap around his waist, came
up to me, and politely offered to remove
my valisc, and deposit it with the rest OF
the baggage.
NO, y said I, Il wish to take care Of it
myself. Leave it where it is.
But, Monsieur" said the mar, lit Is
in the way. Baggage is not allowed here
will move 1t TO place Of safety And,
SO saying, he took it up, and carried it to
the other side of the boat.
L was too much engaged in my last adieus
to my friend to instantly resent this liberty,
but l was very angry, and the moment
Jean Caboulet had left me the second tune
Che had run back to give me the address of
French lodging house III London-he was
always giving me good ideas, | went to re-
gain my valise, and to abuse the man who
took it. | did not Immediately see him,
but happening, while crossing the deck, to
look LANDMARKS, | perceived the rascal in a
blue cap, and with strap around his waist,
standing at the other end of the pier, ear
nestly talking to woman in wooden shoes
aud at his feet was my vahse ! | instantly
rushed off the boat, although some people
shouted to me, and was at his side in a
moment. Without breath to speak, |
made snatch at my property, but he had
his hand on 1.-THE instant touched it, and
turning and recognizing me, he bowed, and
said,
"Ah it is Monsieur Bot no [ will
carry it for him p
''Scoundrel !" | gasred "Give it here!
The boat is off
by no means-it is my place. I will
dart - And he jerked it up by the
handles.
But, Monsieur" said he, with an air of
profound detection, as he turned towards
the pier, ''the boat has gone -
Sure enough it had gone, and, had I
been on the end Of the pier, nothing but a
spring Of fifty feet would have taken me on
board.
BEAST Wretch I" 7 cried. "How
dared you carry this off the boat? Scouu-
drell | am left But you shall pay dearly
for this
"The skies!" he CALCULATED "The boat
is gone, and | too am left | did not know
the time. What shall do? [ would not
let Monsieur valise 60 out OF my hands
Oh, pardon pardon, Monsieur! But here
is a lady Monsieur will not use such Ian
guage, -
| was about to use still stronger language,
Notwithstanding the presence of the woman
in wooden shoes, who stood listening at
tentrvely to my earnest words, but at that
moment up came my friend, Jean Cabou-
let. He had not gone far, and had hap
pened to see me run off the boat. | bur
rledly told him Of my misery, aid of the
heartless conduct of the villain before US
who still stood, with an expression of deep
concern on his face, and his eyes on the
vaise, as though he would be glad to swim
with me, and it, to the now fast retreat
ing steamboat Cabouet instantly sug-
gested the police, but, hot as | was, | whi3
pered to him, that be shonid remember
that could not call up the police
mo, no 1t is true-you hate reason.
Come! This man is a wretch, but | shall
have my eye on him. He shall lose his
place. Get away, coquia and thank your
stars that Monsieur is so mercilul-I shall
remember you'll Come, my friend All !
you will carry it yourself Then we will 90
to my house-No? Then to the hotel
The skies But that wretched man has
done NE good turn. This night We shall
pass together
So together we returned to NJ hotel
Had the situation been different, | woud
have been ready enough to give this man
in charge of the police, but. under the cir
cumstances which was placed, | did not
wish the smallest finger of the most unim-
portant hard ofImperial justiceto touch my
yaIIse for the bottom OF IL was nearly full