The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-29

the darkness.
At the same time I stumbled over
something. and plunged violently against
a damp wall. There stood for min.
ute or two, vainly trying to reeollect my
fugitive senses.
l wasn't hurt much though, and was
about to push forward again at hap-haz-
ard, when something sparkling on the
ground through the darkness attracted
my attention.
STOPPING to pick it up, judge Of my
astonishment TO end that it was my own
watch and chain, which had no doubt
been sccidently dropped there by his
lordship's accommodating steward in his
fight.
was not so intoxicated but that 1 was
right glad to get the precious things in
my possession again, ] eau tell you.
Hastily ,hrusting them into the bottom
of one of my pockets, set out again on
my dark and laundering journey.
"But what is this I'm carrying in my
arms7" l suddenly said, to myself, for
the first time struggling sufficiently on.
of my confusion and inebrity to be fully
aware that was burdened with the bag
that had been thrust upon me in the
room above. ut feels like money. aud
good load Of it into tho bargain. But
how did come by it, and where am /
wandering toy"
In fact / was still so bewildered that
began actually to doubt if I was myself,
when, hearing racket in the rear, and
thinking the house was falling in over
my head thrust the bag under my coat,
supporting it with my arm, and, rushing
forward as fast as my legs could carry
me, 1 found myself presently in the open
air; but exactly where. in particular, ]
have never to this day been able to di-
vine.
However, after various wanderings,
occupying an hour or two, came in
sight of the equestrisn statue at Charing
Cross, and in less than another hour, sue
ceeded in reaching my lodgings, consid-
erably sobered.
As you may we'll conceive. I lost no
time in striking light, and examining
the contents of the bag at my leisure.
To my sstonishment and delight, they
amounted TO upwards of four hundred
and eighty pounds, in solid gold coin
and Bank of England notes. Then, on
inspecting my watch, found it had only
sustained a few slight bruises, besides
the loss of the crystal, the chain, which
was also of delicate workmanship, hav-
ing sustained no damage whatever.
Then, upon cody meditating upon my
nights adventure, gradually came to
the reasonable conclusion that my friend
was sharper that the Marquis of LIS
was nothing more or less than London
gambling house, aud that his lordship
and his illustrious company had been
oupyecteu W Nhiu oh tno part VI 'he
police.
freely confess that was altogether
undeserving of the good luck that fell to
me through that nights escapade. 1t
proved me- to be "a fool for luck, just
once in my life, at oil events.
next day caused inquiries to be made
at the houss whtre had dined in Bolton
street. for the person who had been my
host there; hut only learoed that he had
been transient lodger. Of whom they
know nothing, and that he had left there
early that morning.
l determined to be conscientious and
thorough in oil inquiries, before appro-
priating to my own use the lucky wind
fall, of which was, nevertheless, in such
bitter need.
l inquired at the police offices, and Of
the various parish authorities at West
End. if officers had been dispatched on
the preceding night to break up any gam
bling houses; and, as they oil assured
me that none had been sent. came to
the conclusion that the distinguished
marquis and his brilliant confreres had
been made the victims Of false alarm.
I Inext advertised the affair, in terms
sufficiently ambiguous 10 be understood
by some of those directly concerned, de.
string any having claim to money con-
tanned in the bag to apply at my lodgings
in Canon street; but received no appli'
cations whatever.
Ipresumed the advertisement was look
ed upon as ruse, and only suggested
visions Of traps and attorneys, and prose
cutions, to the guilty minds of those con
cerned. As for the locality of the gam
bling-ho7ss itself had not the slightes
no ion of that At the time of my visit, ant
to have undertaken its discovery b.
chance in the wilderness of London
would have been like searching for thu
proverbiAl needle in hsystack.
After waiting a reasonable time, ap
} piled the money to my own purposes, an'
; returned to Baltimore In such high feath
er as to Astonish my friends and acquaint
auces. They had heard, with regret. o
my having met with business reverses il
! London, and were altogether at loss Il
account for appearances that were s.
much 10 the contrary.
have kept my secret until this hour
but whoever shall now peruse the forage
. ing will be sufficiently enlightened as +
my unexpected prize.
Z Mr.. Walter F. McCune, OF Pitisburg, Pa
{ writes "My age is % years. was bor
with an excellent constitution, but at th
age Of 10, having Just Enlshed my collegiat
y education fell into habits ol dissipation