The Concordia eagle. [volume] (Vidalia, La.) 1873-1890, 1882-04-01
THE BLACK BAGS.
A JEWELERS. STORY.

it was on the 10Th OF October, 1859,
that was returning to England, hav-
lug taken the steamer ct Dublin for
Holyhead. Business had taken me to
Treland-I am jeweler-and il had
been necessary for me to visit branch
of my own firm in Dublin. I was
bringing back certain valuable jewels
which required resetting, diamonds of
great value, and some other things Of
less importance, but still valuable.
Hound all the passengers talking on
one subject-the terrible and appalling
wr, ok which bad occurred only three
days before. off Moelfrs, on the Angle
sea coss,. No less than four hundred
and forty six lives were lost that night
when the Royal Charter was totally
wrecked.
She was q large screw steamer, COM
manded by Captain Tsylor. A large
sum of money-s700. 900 or $500. 900 in
goid-wAs lost also, # was supposed;
but have since heard that some Of the
gold has beenxecovered.
am silent man habitually, and the
awe in the voice Of my fellow-passen-
gers struck me forcibly; but i had
another reason, as viii presently appear,
in remembering my journey from Duh
lin to London on this occasion.
I carried the jewels which ! have
already mentioned in . small black
handbag, and so long as knew it was
safe was free from care.
Arriving at Holyhead I took my seat
in an empty first-class railway carriage.
Just as the train was moving of, how
ever, a gentleman suddenly got in. He
sat down nearly opposite me, and I had
q good opportunity Of observing his APP
pearsnce.
noticed that he was young, appar-
emily not more than four-and-twenty,
that he had broad black band round
his hat, and that on his face were traces
Of recent sorrow. He seemed relieved
at having csught the train, and being
like myself quite disinclined for con-
versation, our journey proceeded in
silence.
Ny bag lay beside me and quite under
my eyes. was tired after my cross
ing, and fell into sort Of doze. On
waking I instantly glanced at my bag.
There it lay, quite safe. My COM
panion, however, had changed his seat.
We stopped at Chester, and here I
thought I would get out and walk
about little, as we had ten minutes to
wait. took my bag and got out.
On my return to the train there was
my companion apparently asleep. I
got into the carriage without disturb
ing him, and We continued our journey.
At Crewe, our next stopping place, he
got out and did not come back.
was very tired now, and fell into a
sound sleep with my hand holding the
handle Of my black bag. I did not
wake until we. reached London, then
getting into the first hanson saw, and
still carrying my precious bag, of
which I was hesrtily tired, I drove
home.
On my arrival, with method which
I suppose is habitual to o man in my
trade, instantly went TO the safe in
which I keep valuable jewels, and un-
locked il. Upon the table I deposited
my bag and opened IL.
Imagine my dismay at finding that,
instead of my diamonds IL contained
only some rusty bits Of iron and wooden
debris. Ny bag was gone; his other
bag had been cleverly substituted for il
so cleverly' indeed that even the
weight as well as the appearance had
been judged.
put the affair into the hands Of the
police, giving exactly every particular