The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-05-04
THE BAG OF GOLD.

.'Are you engaged, coachman?"
stopped at that moment to water my
horses, and to quench my own thirst in
a saloon near by. had scarcely reached
my horses heads when heard the above
question, and saw, as turned round, q
young lady standing by the side of the
cab.
Without delay 1 answered, and, open
ing the carriage door, handed the lady
in. Her face had certain hesitating,
timid expression which made me Judge
that my fare was not an independent
lady, but q housekeeper or governess.
She wore black silk dress and wooden
shawl. Her hands and feet were small,
but it did not escape me that her gloves
were very much worn. .
I asked her where she wished to be
carried. She named locality not of
the best fame. and with trembling
voice, as if ashamed of it. climbed on
the box and whipped up. Although it
was nothing to me where my fare wished
to go, felt a sort of curiosity as to who
or what the lady might be. had OBJ
served that she seemed to have q pretty
face, although the veil that she wore
over it did not let me see her features
plainly. During the trip I was driven
by my curiosity to peep through the
carriage window behind be, and saw that
she had put up her veil. She looked
frightfully pale and thin. Her skin was
like wax, and one did not need to be q
doctor to know that she was consump-
tive.
She held in her hands something on
which her eyes were fixed, and there
came over her face an expression of
thankfulness and satisfaction. What the
object was could not tell exactly. I
only saw that it was light colored, and
had no decided shape. I had only two
seconds of time for my observation. l
had to see to my horses in the crowded
street.
I gave them lash with the whip, and
at quick trot we soon arrived at the
part of the city indicated. As soon as l
foun1 the number which the lady had
given me, I stopped, got off the box, and
opened the door to help her out. She
appeared to be in great agitation, as if
an unpleasant interview was before her.
I received from her, over the price of her
fare, which she evidently knew, little
drink money, thanked her, and she hur-
ried away, while turned my carriage
toward neighboring saloon to invest
the drink money Immediately in glass
of beer.
But before went in proceeded to
straighten the carriage cushions and see
that all was right inside. As soon as
opened the door again saw some object
lying on the seat. It was q small linen
sack-without doubt what the lady had
held in her lap. took it in my hand;
its weight astonished me. With not
little curiosity looked at il again and
again, and ct last tried to open it. It
was easily done, for the bag was fastened
only by little piece of string.
One can imagine my surprise when /
found that it was filled with gold pieces!
I dared not look at them further in this
place, as q policeman might possibly mo-
tice, and ask how I came by the gold. In
the meantime tied the sack again, and
put it in the wide pocket of my coat. In.
stead OF indulging myself in q glass of
beer. drove to the nearest hackstand
and took my place in the rear OF the line
Of carriages, so that could be sure OF
not being wanted for the next half hour.
8Ot l0tO my CuEIlbkcs 10 uoohuAch VI
ten do when they want little rest, and
/ examined for the second time my new
found treasure. shook the contents OF
the bag on the seat, and sat with dazzled
eyes before quito pile of gold.
After delighting my eyes with it for q
while, / counted the money, partly $40,
partly $40 pieces, singly, again in the
sack, and found that it amounted exactly
to the sum of $3.50.
could not think otherwise than that
this money belonged to the pale young
lady whom had last carried. How she
came by it, and what was she going TO do
with II, was altogether another
thing. / had found it, and it was
q Rgreat temptation for me to keep it.
WHAT could I undertake with suck CAPT
tai? could buy myself q carriage and
horses, and instead of being miserable
hired coachman, would myself own car.
riages, or establish livery stable, which
would make me- independent.
The picture OF future which l painted
in this way was alluring enough, but
along with il was the consideration that
I should be thief II retained the
money. Ny selishness had . severe
struggle with my conscience.
While now looked moro closely ct
ne bag, found written in ink upon the
address, "Miss Mildred Berkely. No. 4
Madison place" This address. which