Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-25
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LOST AND FOUND.
A Very Curious Instance Of Recovery Of Lost
Property.

Inc events now relateO happened soon
after the old French war, and long before
tho establishment of railways, money-or-
ders, post Offices, the telegraph, and other
modern conveniehces. Communication
by mail was then under very heavy post
age, and all communications and
packages of aboveA, certain weight had to
be sent as ''parcels" by the coaches.
Hence bankers, goldsmiths and others
who were in the habit Of sending valua-
BILE packages, when they could not find a
responsible person willing to take charge
Of such articles, sent such parcels by pri-
vate hands in the luggage of passengers,
rather than 60 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-
clned all such future commissions except
those from his own bankers, and those he
could not we'll 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 leathern 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 constant passage and
exchange of money parcels between the
country banks and their London agencies.
On the occasion in question, money par
eel 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 portmanteau, a clerk arrived.
from the banking house with an ominous-
ly large parcel, whose square folding of
strong paper and well-sealed string bands
conveyed the unpleasant idea that it was
one Of more than ordinary value At
first the parcel was altogether declined
and 1t 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 accepted,
and 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 shoots" 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 at 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-was that either one OF 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 strict charge to
find out from the '-boots'' what had been
done with the portmanteau, and to await
events. On examination, the ssboots" de-
clared that he had put the gentleman's
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 q pleasant story to go 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 portmantean and the owner was so
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, nv
father felt that he was in most disagree
able position, especially when the rumol
went round every gossiping tea-table in
the town that Mr. g. had been in.
trusted with 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 violent
knocking at the front door; and, on his
opening his bedroom window, which was
almost directly above the door, and hail
ing the intruder, be was answered by the
welcome shout: SIS that you, Mr.. -
and have you lost a portmanteau? have
one here in my hand with your name on
it; and as the tide will only serve hall
an hour longer, and my vessel must soon
be under weigh, ventured to knock
you up"
Have you any one with you9' inquired
my father.
YES" replied the man, who was the
master Of a coasting schooner; s'my cabir
boy"
'Wcll, tell him, said my father, "to q
back to the schooner, and let the hands
take her down to the river for you a,
Cowes. You shall join her tomorrow
Meantime, I will pay all charges"
Every well said the captain. "Come
down and take in the portmanteau, and ]
will see you in the morning."
mo; that will not do at all, was the
reply. you must come with me at once