Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-10-18
A jewelers. Story.

tnat WAS relufnluR W Guslau"' nov
ing taken the steamer at Dublin Tor
Holyhead. Business had taken me to
Ireland-I am a jeweler-and it had
been necessary TOR me to visit a
branch of my OVID firm IN Dublin. L
was bringing back certain valuable
Jewels which required resetting-dla-
monds OF great value, and some other
things of less importance but still valu-
able.
carried the jewels which have al
ready mentioned 10 a small black hand
bay, and so long as 1 knew that 1t was
safe 1 was free from care. Arriving at
Rolyhead, took my seat in az empty
frst-class railway carriage. Just as
the train was moving off, however,
gentleman suddenly got in. He sat
down nearly opposite to me, so l bad a
good opportunity Of observing bis ap'
pearance. Inotced that he was young
apparntly not more than iour-and-
twenty, that he had broad black band
round his hat. and that on his face were
traces of recent sorrow, almost, in fact,
of agitation: He seemed relieved at
having caught the train; aud being, like
myselE quite disinclined for converse
ton, we proceeded on our journey in
silence.
NV bag lay beside me and quite un-
der my eyes. 1 was tired after my
crossing, and fell into a sort Of doze.-
On waking 1 instantly glanced at my
bag. There il lay, quite safe. My
companion. however, had moved his
seat. We stopped at Chester, and here
I thought l would get out and
walk about a little. as we had ten
minutes to wait. 1 took my
bag and cot out. On my return 10 the
tram there was my companion, ap-
parently asleep. got into tie carriage
without disturbing him, and we con
tlnued on Our Journey. AT Crewe, our
next stopping place, he got out and did
lot come back. l was very tired now,
and felllnto a sound sleep, with my
hand holding the handle of my black
bag. did not wake until | reached
London; then getting into the first
hanson saw, and still carrying My
precious bag, OF which 1 was heartily
tired, drove home. On my arrlva
with a method which l suppose is
habitual to a man in nay trade, l in
stantly went to the safe in which l Kepl
valuable jewels, unlocked 1t aud de-
posting The bag on the table, | opened
IT.. Imagine my dIsmay at finding that
instead OF my diamonds, it contained
only some rusty bits Of iron and wooden
debries. My bag was gone; this other
bag was cleverly substituted for it, so
cleyerly, indeed, that even the weight.
as well as the appearance, had been
judged.
Il put the affair into the hands OF the
police, giving them exactly every
particular as as | have written 1t. The
bag was lost.
III.
A year after the eveEts narrated IN
the last chapter | was again travelling
the line which takes passengers to
Holyhead. 1t was in the beginning OF
o Oetober, as we'll as l remember.
travelled frst-class, my usual Gus
tom when 1 have long journey before
me. During the year not sign had
been given Of my missing bag or the
iiewels, but 1 had not really despaired
| of recovering it and then, for had a
certain unaccountable feeling about the
whole thing; that there was some mys-
terry about it felt sure.
Regularly every Wednesday in ever
week had called at Scotland YaIO,
and always bad the same answer
Nothing yet, sir The reward had
| offered was sufficient to insure certain
interest, and the police, 1 firmly believe
| were as keen in the matter as l could
wish.
On this October morning 10 1860, 1
travelled with lady who was IN deep
mourning. The day was chilly, and
she we're several wraps; but, getting
warm in the carriage, she presently
threw aside fur cloak she was wear
ing, and my eye was instantly attracted
by handsome brooch she had on, in
which was a portrait.
Without appearing TO do so, and with
a sudden feeling of interest and curios-
lity for which l can not account, l man
aged 10 get nearer view Of the por-
trait. 1t was the face of the young man
who had travelled with me the year be-
fore when lost my bag. was 20 cer-
t1in Of this that resolved not to con-
tnue my journey until had acquainted
the police with this fact.
| The train stopped al Crewe, the
place where l remembered the young
Imam left the train on our up-journey the
previous year. Here the lady alighted
| 4 did also. A carriage awaited her at
the station-I secured ay, and direct
ng the driver to follow the carriage, |
discovered where the lady drove to-
Her own house, evidently. She ap-
peared to be in excellent position, and
10 be wealthy.
was not deferred by this discovery
for felt could not be mistaken abb ut
I, q face, which, though ] had certainly
!. noticed it only in casual way at the
r.