River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-29
LOST AND FOUND.
Very Curious instance Il Recovery of Lost
PROF.

NV father was Wcr IN very large
way of business Newport, Isle OF
Wight, and of co man particularly
well known in tn Ill country town
The events now ted happened soon
after the old F ar, and long before
tho establishment "a railways. mOney-or-
ders, post-offlces, the telegraph, and other
modern COnveniences. Communication
by mail was then under very heavy post
age, and all communications and
packages of above a certain weight had to
be sent as parcels" by the coaches.
Hence bankers, goldsmiths and Others
who were in the habit of sending valua-
| bic packages, when they could not find a
responsible person willing to take charge
of such articles, sent such parcels by pri-
waite hands in the luggage OF passengers,
rather than go to the expense of carriage
and run the risk of loss by the guard.
My father had repeatedly carried bank
ers' parcels containing large sums from
Newport to London, and brought back
similar parcels in return; but fearing any
further responsibility, he at length de
clined all such future commissions except
those from his own bankers, and those he
could not well refuse. His business
called him good deal to LOndon and,
as he was methodical and orderly, he got
his full address engraved on a heavy brass
plate, which was firmly riveted to the end
of his black Ieathern portmanteau.
This was in the days of Bank of Eng
| land one-pound notes and other paper
money, and these securities answered in
stead Of specie with the country banks,
so that there was a constant passage and
exchange of money parcels between the
country banks and their London agencies
On the occasion in question, a money par
Gel had been duly taken to London and
delivered, and the Recipients inquired
when the party (my father was to return
in order that they might remit the usual
reply parcel The answer was that his
stay was uncertain, and he begged that
the bankers would, ifpossible, find anoth-
er messenger. But just as my father had
all his luggage packed except the black
leathern pOftmanteau, clerk arrived
| from the clearinghouse with an Ominous-
| ly large parcel, whose square folding OF
strong paper and well-seaIed string bands
conveyed the unpleasant idea that 1t was
one of more than ordinary value. At
| first the parcel was altogether declined ;
| and If was not until the clerk had assur-
ed the intended carrier that it had al
ready been advised to the Newport bank
ers as sent by him, that it was acc pied,
4 thrust into the portmanteau. Mean
while the coach was delayed, the coach
man and guard demonstrating loudly, and
my father was finally hurried into the
inside of the coach, having in the first
place desired the "boots' of the inn to
deposit the portmanteau in the boot OF
the coach, which being under the feet OF
| the coaChman, was considered the safest
place,
The coach arrived ut Portsmouth,
whence the sailing packets transferred the
passengers to the Isle Of Wight across the
Solent There were at that time no
steamboats,. and when the wind and tide
were contrary, the passage, although only
of five miles, often took from two to three
hours to accomplish. Great, indeed, WAS
the dismay when, on unloading the coach,
the black leathern portmanteau could not
be found. The coachman and guard were
strictly Intercepted, but to no purpose.
All that could be ascertained with GER
tainty from the cOachman and bOX-seat
passenger-both of whom were beyond
suspicion that either one or other
of them had had their feet on the cover
of the boot the whole night, and that no
single article had been removed, nor had
the boot been once opened.
Clearly, then, the only thing to be done
was to write to the London bankers and
to the inn keeper, with a strict charge to
find out from the ''boots' what had been
done with the portmanteau, and to await
events On examination, the "bOots" de
clarcd that he had put the gentleman
portmanteau into the coach as he had
done many times before, and that he had
at the same time attended to the rest OF
the luggage. The reply of the London
bankers was that every inquiry possible
had been made without discovery, and that
the parcel contained ten thousand pounds
of Bank of England notes, payment OF
which they had stopped.
This was pleasant story to 60 to the
country bank with, and as it was not a
very large concern, the loss should loss
occur would be almost ruinous. My
father met the partners and stated the
facts. Some proposed advertising; but
as the name and address in full was on
the portmanteau and the owner was SC
we'll known as public man, it was
thought best to wait and see what might
turn up; all parties acquainted with the
facts being strictly charged in the mean
time to keep the matter absolutely Sc
cret, and that nothing whatever should
be said outside. In spite of all this, my
father felt that he was in a most disagree
able position, especially when the rumol
went round every gossiping tea-table il
the town that Mr. -- had been IN
trusted with a parcel containing ten thou
sand pounds, which, not being accountable
for, he had made way with.
Things went on in this way tor some
weeks, when one night after all had re
, tired, my father was startled by violen
, knocking at the front door; and, on hi
opening his bedroom window, which wa
almost directly above the door, and hail
) ing the intruder, he was answered by thu
I welcome shout: as that you, Mr. --
and have you lost a portmanteau. have
one here in my hand with your name OF
r it: and as the tide will only serve hal
an hour longer. and my vessel must sooI
be under weigh, | ventured to knocl
} you up"
Il Have you any one with your" inquired
| my father
| YES" replied the man, who was tn
master of a coasting schooner; my cabin
z boy"
I swell, tell him, sand my father, ITO e
I back to the schooner, and let the hand
: take her down to the river for you a
D Cowes. You shall join her tomorrow
i Meantime, l will pay all charges"
l s'Very well, said the captain. Com
t down and take in the portmanteau, and
t will see you in the morning"
/ '.No; that viii not do at all, was tn
/ reply. "You must come with me at one
e and don't let that portmanteau out Q
a your hand for a minute, il isof more vaiu
4 than you think; and / will be down Ill
Z rectly"
o He dressed and came down, and tool
+ the captain and his load away to tn
t bankers house; knocked up all hands
i and sent out for the other partners, befor
1 he would allow word Of explanation
be said, When all were assembled;