The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-01-05
CHAPTER III.
THE DISCOVERY.

CHAPTER III.
THE DISCOVERY.
was standing in my shop; it was
dull morning in November, and the visit
tor who came in first spoke to my assis-
tant, who referred him to me, and then
in a moment l recognized my fellow
passenger Not wishing to make every
thing quite public, led the way to the
inner room reserved for myself and
handed the gentleman chair. He was
too excited to sit down, but began his
story at once.
"You remember the day travelled
with you from Holyhead, sir?'
'Perfectly," l replied. 81 have too
good reason to remember it.
$50 have |. | had been on the Angle
sea coast all the night before, searching
for some relic-perhaps the body--of my
drowned brother. | had only twenty
four hours, and was obliged to hurry
back, with only few bits of wood and
iron gathered from the wreckage which
strewed the beach. These | put into
small, black bag.
"a black bag?' sail |. 'lIad you a
black bag, too?"
Listen" said the gentleman, Il saw
that you had one, and | remarked that
it was like mine-so mach that ut Caes-
ter, where you got out and did not,you
may remember you took my bag with
you instead of your own. | felt sure You
were coming back, for you hal left your
coat and umbrella in the cariage,so ! did
not follow you
Yes" said I, getting excited, "but
that does not account
"Wait moment" sllth gentleman
Il know perfectly what you would say
1t does not account for my not advertls-
ing your bag, or making some sort of
sign all this time--qnite so--you will
understand presently how it has hap
pened."
l sat down and begged him to do the
same
When | got out at Crewc, | took, as
| supposed my bag. When | reached
home found that my poor mother, whom
had left in most utter grief and pros
traton at my brothers death, had not
rallied at all told our doctor, who was
there, that my search for any personal
relic of my brother had been fruitless,
but that | had few bits of iron anC
wood from the wreck.
The doctor advised me to say nothing
to her about it, not 70 tell her even that
| had these sad relics, put the bag
lust as it was in a cupboard in my own
room and locked it up That very day
had to leave England had n busi
ness engagement which took me to Aus
tralia. If | had lroken my engagement
it would have involved my mother in
considerable pecuniary loss. She knew
| had to go, and as she did not like me
to stay, as my sister and her husband
were with her and could take care of her
| l left the house that very day, and
iourneyed back north to Liverpool, just
| in time to catch the steamer bouud fol
Melbourne
II only returned yesterday morning
The first thing | heard after greeting m!
mother was:
"Where is the bag you brought will
you from MoelfraT
/, SIN my room, said
"'Get it for me, she said.
, "Without another word, though
wondered how she had heard of it'll wen
to my room, unlocked the cupboard, fount
the bag Just as | had left it, and took
down stairs.
> II was just going to open it when, t
, my still further surprise, my mothe
said:
"'Are you quite sure that is your bag
Arthur?
1 81 looked at her in astonishment.
. "'Well, mother, | said, Il am rs sur
as a human being can be of anything,
"Did you openit after you came HON
dear 2
= 81 thought for moment, and the
; said;
| "No; / am certain did not, | coul
not bear il"
y "'Then, said my mother, 'be prepare
/ for surprise, Il think yeu will find tn
+ you have some one elses bag.
4 IL did not answer, for ! was trying I
!, unlock the bag,
5 1t is very odd said the key won
open it.
| "My mother rang the bell, and
p walked the Inspector
e Here my visitor ceased speaking, an
n walking hastily to the shop door he bee
a oned to some person seated in han
e some cab close by, 1t was my friend II
c Inspector of Police at Crewe, lie cont
a ued the story, But first he placed on Il
table my "black bag
h "There, sir" said he, Sis your bag
y you were quite right--this gentlemt
d took it bymistake, That morning,wh
1t Mrs - sent for me, | found the b