Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-02-18
A TALE OF TWO TRUNKS.

Trade street, thrust his hands deer
down into his trousers pockets and as.
sumed the insinuating grin that is sup
posed to facilitate business.
But ! wasn't expecting to pay SC
much hesitated Mr.. Ernest Elton, q
portly, middle-aged gentleman, with
gold eyeglasses, spotless suit of fresh
broadc!oth, and irreproachable iren.z
i had limited myself 90
Only two Of 'em made, SIR persua-
sively broke in E. Jackolin, lowering
his voice to whisper. Couldn't be af-
forded at the price. A dead loss tothe
trade, sir. Why, we've got to sell them
for a mere song. Twenty five dollars
It's enough to make one laugh. Look
at them zinc bindings, sir look at them
wrought-iron clamps! Just see the pa
tent locks, sir, and the straps as man
might hang himself by and never feel
it! Why, sir. you might fill that there
trunk with lead or granite and cart it
across the continent without starting q
NALL
TT certainly appears very strong and
serviccable,' said Mr.. Elton, reflective
ly, feeling his chin. 'And, perhaps
although I had limited myself to eigh-
teen dollars
You'll never feel the difference, SIR
said Mr. Jackolin. Dear me, sir, mo-
ney spent for valuable article is as
good as an investment. VIII you have
your name painted on the end, sir P
We do it gratis
No, / won't said Mr.. Elton, rather
curtly. Il don't believe in advertising
myself while travelling
And there's another advantage, SIR
said Mr.. Jackolin, in trunk of this
remarkable style and pattern. No diff
ficulty in identifying it, sir. Ha la !!
hn! Why, a man could tell it in Ara
bia or Lower JAPAN
So Mr. Elton bought the trunk, or
dered it sent to his address, and went
his way rejoicing.
Mrs Elton-she was sharp-nosed
lady, few years older than her iege
lord, and given to unreasoning jealousy
put on her spectaeles to look at the
new purchase.
How much did you give for it, Ell
tor Z she demanded.
Eighteen dollars, my love, Mr.. Elton
responded, with u mental reservation of
the ether seven.
Too much,' was the coniugal COM
ment. But as, according to Mrs. El-
tons views of social economy, her spouse
invariably paid too much for every thing
he bought, he made no attempt to JUS
tiiy himself, but went on laying out his
shirts, socks and slippers fora projected
commercial tour.
i suppose you couldn't wait until
next week said Mrs. Elton, stirring
compound of rock-candy, squills and IL
quorice in small stone pitcher. For
l really think my cold would beenough
better to
Quite out of the question, Sarah, my
dear, quite out of the question: Mr.
Elton hurricdly answered Link &
Durmody regard it as essential that 1
should go at once, preparatory to the
opening Of the spring trade
Mrs. Elton sneezed out her regrets.
She never allowed Mr.. Elton to go trav-
cling without her when she could help it
but Providence and influenza were too
strong for her upon this occasion.
Il know you'll get into some scrape,
Elton, if I'm not with you, sighed she.
You re as thoughtless as child, and
L hope not, my love- said Dir. Elton,
secretly exultant. 1t wasn't often he
had the privilege of being his own mas
ter, ami ne felt like boy just out of
school.
Miss Mary Anne Binder bought the
second great bargain at the Trunk and
Saddlcry Emporium on Trade street.
She was an old maid of the old nlaidiest
description, lean, lank and sullen. with
not great deal of money to spare: but
she was going on a visit to her cousin $
up in Maine. where there were two or
three eligible old bachelors, and she re-
solved to so in style or perish in the at
tempt.
i don't want one Of your hand-boxes
that'll smash up the minute the express
man dumps it on the railway platform.
said she. 4 want q real, good, sub
stantial-'
We can suit youexactly. ma am, said
Mr.. Jackolin, rubbing his hands glee-
fully together. Only two of 'em made.
Too good. Ha. ha. ha! Just sold
the other one at a loss, and as you're a
lady we'll do equally well by YOU
Fate is an irresponsible agent. as we
are taught to believe; but there is a
deal of sly waggery about Fate. after
all. Else, how did it happen tha; Mr..
Elton and Miss Mary Anne Binder ME,
on the northern train that gusty Febru-
arr night, about TWO weeks subsequent
ly!
Miss Mary Anne was jubilant, as she
thought Of Miss Sarepta and Barbara
Blackmore, and the two Mr.. Black
mores. Mr. Elton, who sat directly
across the aisle of the railway car, was
more detected. Mrs. Elton had recov-
cred from her cold and telegraphed tc
him that he might expect her to NEE,
him at the WLitsport Hotel.
'Of course she'll go the rest of the
route with me-, pondered Mr.. Elton
Dear me, dear me, why can't women
be contensed at homer
There had been considerable change.
Of srain. owing to the breakdown of /:
locomotive on the snowy road, and tn,
passengers eongregated about the bag
Sase-car, when at last they reaehe.