The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-01-05
Select Story.
TIE BLACK BAGS.
A JEWELLERS STORY.
CHAPTER !.
MY JOURNEY.


1t was on the 29th of October, 1859,
that | was returning to England, having
taken the steamer at Dublin for Holy
head. Business had taken me to Ireland
i am a jeweler--and it had been nee
essary for me to visit branch of my
own firm in Dublin. | was bringing
back certain valuable jewels which re
quired resetting-diamondS of great value
and some other things of lesI Importance,
but still valuable.
| found all the passengers talking on
one subject--the terrible and appalling
wreck which had occurred only three
days before off Moelfra, on the Anglesea
coast No less than four hundred and
forty-six lives were lost that night when
the Royal Charter was totally wrecked.
She was screw steamer, commanded by
Captain Taylor A large SUN of money
--t7O0,O0O or 100000 in gold-was
lost also. it was supposed; but have
since heard that some of the gold was re
covered. am a silent man habitually,
and the awe in the voices of my fellow
passengers struck me forcibly; but had
another reason, as will presently appear,
in remembering my journey from Dublin
to London on this occasion.
carried the Jewels which | have al
ready mentioned in small black hand
bag, and so long as | knew that it was
safe, was free from care. Arriving a,
Hollyhead, took my seat in IN empty
tirst-class railway carriage. Just as the
train was moving off, however, a gentle
man suddenly got in. He sat down
nearly opposite me, so | had good op.
portunity of observing his appearance
| noticed that he was young, apparently
not more than four and twenty, that he
had broad black band round his hat,
and that on his face were traces of re
cent sorrow, almost in fact of agitation
He seemed relieved at having caught
the train, and being like myself quite
disnclined for conversation, our journey
proceeded in silence.
My bag lay beside me, and under my
eyes. was tired after my crossing, and
fell into a sort of doze. Ga waking,
instantly glanced at my bag. There il
lay, quite safe. My companion, however
had moved his seat. We stopped a
Chester, and here | thought would ge
out and walk about little, as we haC
ten minutes to wait. Itook my bag anC
got out. On my return to the train ther
was my companion apparently asleep.
got into the carriage without disturbln!
him, and we continued our journey
At Crewe, our next stopping place, h
got out, and did not come back. wa
very tired now, and fell into SCUM
sleep with my hand holding the handl
of my black bag did not wake unit
we reached London; then getting int
the first handsom | saw, and still carry
ing my precious bag, of which | wa
heartily tired, ! drove home. On my al
rival, with a method which suppose
habitual to a man in my trade, | instant
ly went to the safe in which | keep va
liable jewelry, unlocked it, and, deposit
ing the bag on table, | opened it. In
agine my dismay at finding that, instea
of diamonds,it contained only some rust
bits of iron and wooden debris. My ba
was gone; this other bag had been Gle,
erly substituted for it, SO cl verly, Indeed
that even the weight as well rs the az
pearance had been judged,
| put the affair into the hands of I'll
police, giving them exactly every particu
| lar as have here written it. The ba
was lost