Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-19

many of US, if we were suddenly called
upon to render description of our sew
eral travelling trunks, could do it salts
factorily? Frank was obliged to admit
that he could not describe his.
"Well, then," said the agent, 1--WE shall
be spared the trouble and expense of
hunting it up for you l wonder if you
could identify it if you should see it ~ he
asked Frank
eyes, I could" said Frank. "And
now I'll tell you just what I believe:
believe that trunk has been stolen, and
I'll tell you why. I saw trunk put of
at Baltimore that l would have taken my
oath was my own; but just as I was 60
ing to speak about it, | saw some letters
on one end of it that were not on mine,
and that staggered me, and I said moth
ing. The more l think of it the more
thoroughly I'm convinced that that was
my trunk. Yes, sir: that trunk was
stolen, and I'll tell you how. The thief,
whoever he was, checked trunk Of his
own, filed with sawdust or something of
that sort, to Baltimore Then, before the
baggage was put on the train, he managed
to transfer the check on his trunk to mine,
and the one on mine to his own. Don't
you see? Then when the train stopped
at Baltimore all he had to do was to claim
my trunk on his check and make off with
1t. But he had to provide against another
contingency: the owner of the stolen
trunk might happen to catch him at his
little game; and so he stencils those
letters, H. L. b. on it in order that he
might point to them to prove that the
trunk was his own. Those letters would
floor any man, as they did me, at first
sight. Now, I don't know how this may
strike you, Mr.. Keplinger, but I know
that trunk was mine.''
MIR. Keplinger said nothing for minute
or so, and then asked, suddenly. "Where
is the trunk you received on your check"
Its at home-in Cumberland"
Dad! [ wish it was here. Your sup
position may be right, and it may be
wrong. I'm inclined to think myself it's
all mOOnshine But I'll tell you what I'll
do. You telegraph home and have that
trunk sent on here tonight. I'll open it,
and if it proves to be bogus affair, evil
IDENTIFY put up for the purpose you sug-
gest, III accept your theory and act upon
it. It's contents may show to whom it
belongs. In that case it will be safe to
conclude that there has been only mis-
take in checking, as I have all along sup
posed; and We shall then know who has
got your trunk, and can easily hunt him
down and make things straight. Come
round tonight, when the last train comes
in, and we'll see what We'll see"
Frank having telegraphed for the trunk,
he and the Major began to consider what
they should do to kill the afternoon. Just
then the II 80 express arrived, and Bran
ley decided to run down to Washington
and return in the evening.
Itwas well he acted as promptly as he
did, for about five O'Clock there came
dispatch to the Paymaster-Generals Office
from the Lieutenant up at Cumberland,
saying that Major Bramley had called on
him the day before and told him he
should pay off his men that Gay, but that,
instead of doing so he had mysteriously
disappeared; The officer, therefore,
thought it his duty to report the circum-
Now, in the Majors absence this would
had an ugly look. But he had already
seen the General and explained the matter
to him, frankly admitting his fault in
trusting the money out of his own hands.
That was all he could do.
The General was man of few words,
but Bramley could see that he was seri-
ously annoyed. "You may remain here
for the present." he said.
Il had expected, General, to go back
to Baltimore this evening to look after
the matter, but
''You may remain here for the present.
This Wills-what kind of a young man
is he?"
The Major informed the General of
Franks intended marriage, and that he
could not make good the loss of the con-
tents of the cash box; he assured the Gen
eral, however, that Frank was perfectly
honest, so far as he knew.
"Will you do me the favor to carry this
to the Assistant Secretary ?" said the Gen
eral presently, handing Bramley a note
with pleasure, General"
This closed the interview. The Major
was under a cloud, you perceive.
And Frank? Well, his first thought
after being left alone was to write a hur-
ried letter to that gayest little girl of his,
explaining his absence and promising to
return by the Sunday evening express.
This done, he wandered about the streets,
a prey to unpleasant reflections. 1t was
Internally awkward to lose that dress-suit
particularly, and be obliged to be married
in the tOggery he had on. If it were only
to be quiet wedding at home, it would
not matter so much. AS for Brams
money, that was simply awful Awful!
If he could only get his fingers on that,
the rest of the traps might go and no
questions asked
He was obliged atlast to go back to the
hotel, still prey to unpleasantreflection
He was sitting in the Teading-room
about eight o'clock in the evening, pre-
tending to read, and already exciting
himself in anticipation of seeing that
trunk opened, when a gentleman evident
ly from the country, who had been quietly
reading for the past half hour, laid down
his paper, took off his spectacles, rose
| and looked casually about the room.
There was nobody in it except Frank and
himself After looking at Frank sharply
| two or three times, he approached him
and extended his hand. 81 don't think |
can be Mistaken" said he: "you're from
| Cumberland, aren't yOu?"
"My home is there"
81 thought so. Your face looked natu-
raj the minute | set eyes on it,
you are acquainted in Cumberland,
then ?" said Frank.
81 should think sol / live about two
miles north. My names Maltby -"
II don't seem to recall it."
"Well, like enough. Fact is, I'm not
| an old settler; only been there about
| three years"
"And I've been in Washington nearly
as long as that"
"Oh, well, then, Of course you wouldn't
| remember me. But I've seen you about
| there, certain. / reckon you know the
| MaTkelys and Willses and Bramleys, and
! such? They're old families in that re-
gion."