The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-28
A MISSING CARPET BAG !:
OR
LOVE versus LAW.

So OCK your door, light cigar, and
IL be ready to give me all your atten-
tion," cried my young friend, Ned wilkins,
dashing into my Office in San Francisco, one
mild day in the spring of 1874.
"Why, what is the matter, Ned ?" asked
/, astonished at the excited flush and angry
cloud on his usual genial and always hand
some face.
"NIatter enough" groaned he, wiping off
the perspiration from his forehead. 81 am
ruined, my character lost, all my prospects
in life blasted. might as well put pis-
tol to my head aud have it over WITH
C, what can you do for me?"
l saw he was in earnest, and rising from
my chair secured the door against intru-
ders, and laid my hand in kindly warmth
upon his shoulder, for if there was ever a
friend thoroughly valued and appreciated,
it was generous, open-hearted, gentlemanly
Ned Wilkins.
"Tell me what your trouble is, Ned, and
all my efforts are at your service"
"Well," said he, with dismal laugh,
"it's only this, that all San Francisco be-
lieve me u villain, and the most despicable
of all villains--a thief. And the worst of
it is, that circumstances are so terribly
against me. l don't know how to 90 to
work to prove anything else. o, if had
the rascal ~ And he ground his teeth with
rage.
"What rascal?" questioned I, trying to
obtain some coherent account.
"That's what / don't know-I wish /
did. There, there, light your cigar, and /
will tell you the whole story. You know l
am purser of the good steamer Queen
of the West and have always met the ap-
probation Of the captain and owners.-
Some time ago found, down at the wharf,
poor fellow who was at school with me
in old New England. He had been sick,
and was what we call dead ashore A
good clever fellow, but without much tact
or management. | knew he was honest
and faithful as a man could be- and took
him with me on board the steamer, got him
some decent clothes, and procured him
situation in my baggage-room. Well, yes
terday afternoon l told Sam Chats his
name) was going to leave the steamer
little while, on an errand to the city, and
he must mind my Office for inc, and re-
ceive any package that might come to my
care. was just stepping on to the wharf,
when | met man had frequently seen on
board the steamer as passenger to the is
lands, with carpet bag on his arm.
"IIallo, Wilkins" said he, $50 you're
still with the boat. Well, I'm going this
trip with you, and want you to secure my
berth. Here's my bag. Shall put it in
your oflice"'
'"If you choose, you may" answered l,
carelessly. "Herc, Sam, take this bag to
the Office"
"Sam carried Off the bag, and after talk
ing a few moments l went ON my way to
the city. When l returned, saw the same
man on deck, and that circumstance re-
minding me of his property, | said to Sam
the moment | entered:
octave that carpet bag handy, Sam
The owner is on deck, and / presume he
will want it soon. Sam looked up in sur
prise.
"'W What, sir? O, that bag he sent for
it little while after you left. don't see
why he gave it to me for 50 little time.--
1t was pretty heavy, though, to carry
about"
"'sent for it?' said l. why, didn't he
come for il himself?'
"'I don't know. twas darkey for it. ;
"' lie brought an order forit, didn't he !?
questioned /, again.
"'No sir. He told me what kind of a
one it was, and said the owner was waiting