The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-26
A TALE OF TWO TRUNKS.

nut street, thrust his hands deep dowi
| into his trousers pockets and assumed
the insinuating grin that is supposed u
facilitate business.
"But / wasn't expecting to pay 81
mueh," hesitated Mr.. Ernest Elton.
| portly, middle-aged gentleman, will
gold Eyeglasses, spotless suit o
fresh broadcloth, and irreproachable
linen. 81 had limited myself to"
"Only two OF 'em made, sir" persua
sively broke in Il. JackOlin, lowering his
ed at the price. A dead loss to the trade
sir, Why, we've got to sell them Tor {
mere song. Twenty-Five dollars! It's
enough to make one laugh. Look a
them zinc bindings, sir! look at then
wrought-iron clamps! just see the pat
ent locks, sir, ana the straps as q mar
might hang himself by and never feel it
Why, sir, you might fill that there trunl
with lead or granite and cart it across
the continent without starting nailW
cit certainly appears very strong anG
serviceable," said Mr.. Elton, refectively
feeling his chin. sand, perhaps-altho
/ had limited myself to eighteen dol
lars"
"You'll never feel the difference, sir,'
said Mr.. Jackolin. "Dear me, sir! money
spent for valuable article Is as good as
an investment. Will you have your name
painted on tho end, sir? We do il
gratis"
"No, WON'T" said Mr.. Elton rather
curtly. l don't believe in advertising
my self while Pm travelling"
isAnd there's another advantage, sir"
said Mr. Jackolin, Tin trunk Of this re-
markable style and pattern. No diff
Guilty in identifying it, sir. Hal ha ha'
Why, man could tell it in Arabia OF
Lower Japan"
So Mr.. Elton bought the trunk, ordered
it sent to his address, and went his way
rejoicing.
Mrs. Elton-sbe was sharp-nosed la.
dy, few years older than her liege
lord, and given TO unreasoning Jealousy
put on her spectacles to look at the
new purchase.
"How much did you give for it, Elton?''
she demanded.
eighteen dollars, my love-" Mr.. Elton
responded, with mental reservation OF
the other seven.
"Too much" was the conjugal COM
ment. But as, according to Mrs. Elton's
views Of social economy, her spouse in
yariably paid too much Tor everything
he bought, he made no attempt to justi-
fy himself, but went on laying out his
shirts, socks and slippers tor a projected
commercial tour.
/ suppose you couldn't wait until next
week." said Mrs. Elton, stirring O COM
pound of rock-candy, squills and liquor
Ice in small stone pitcher. "For 1 re-
ally think my cold would be enough bet
ter to"
"Quite ont of the question, Sarah, my
dear, quite out of.thc question:" Mr.. Ell
ton hurriedly answered. "Lihk & Dur
mody regard it as essential that ! should
90 al once, preparatory to the opening of
the spring trade"
Mrs. Elton sneczed out her regrets.
She never allowed Mr.. Elton to go tray-
cling without her when she could help it,
but Providence and influenza were too
strong for her upon this occasion.
81 know you'll get into some scrape,
Elton, if Pm not with you," signed she.
"You're as thoughtlcss as child, and"
81 hope not, my love-" said Mr.. Elton,
secretly exultant. 1T wasn't often he
had the privilege of being his own mas
ter, aud he felt ike boy just out OF
school.
Miss Mary Anne Binder bought the
second "great bargain" at the Trunk and
Saddlery Emporium on Walnut street.
She was an old maid of the old maidiest
description, lean, lank and sullen, with
not great deal OF money to spare; bu.
she was going on a visit TO her Cousins
up in Maine, where there were two OF
three eligible old bachelors, and she re.
solved TO 60 in style or perish in the at
tempt.
"i don't want one of your hand-boXes
that III smash up the minute the express.
man dumps it on the railway PLATFORM"
said she. al wanta real, good, substan
tial---"
1--WE can suit you exactly, ma'am,"
said MIR. Jackolin, rubbing his hands
gleefully together. comfy two OF 'em
sold the other one at loss, and as you're
a lady we'n do equally we'll by you"
Faie is an irresponsible agent, as we
are taught to believe; but there is. u deal
of sly waggery about Fate, after all
Elsie, how did il happen that Mr.. Elton
and Miss Mary Anne Binder met on the
northern train that gusty February
night, about two weeks subsequently?
Miss Mary Anne was jubilant, as she
thought Of Miss Sarepta and Barbara
Blackmore, and the two Mr.. Blackmores
Mr.. Elton, who sat directly across the
aisle of the railway car, was more de-
jected. Mrs. Elton had recovered from
her cold and telesraphed to him that be
might expect her to meet him at the
Whiteport 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
contented at homeW
There had been considerable changes
of the train, owing to the breakdown of 8
locomotive on the snowy road, and the
passengers congregated about the bag
gage-car, when at last they reached
Whiteport. Miss Binder presented hel
check to a hackman. Mr.. Elton chancet
to select the same functionary.
"If them trunks amt as like rs twt
peas" said Jehu to himself, as, his fares
snugly seated, he banged the trunks OF
behind. "Guess likely they'll know zen
apart, though; il they don't, can't b.
expected top
Mr.. Elton was dislodged first.
"Whiteport Hotel, STRIP cried thu
coachman. "This your trunk, sir%
"That is my trunk" answered MIR. Ell
ton, blisslully confident tnat no one had
trunk like his.
Jehu pocketed his fare, shut the car
riage door, sprang to his box, and rattlet
away over the pavement at break-necl
pace to number ninety-two Box street
where the celebrated family of Black
more resided.
"IIere you are ma'amW cried he, pitch
ing the trunk into the marble-payed YES
thule with an energy that made Miss
II ~, nj In i,r yipn nninnrs unf