Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-29
Gales aud Sketthes.
THE MYSTERIOUS ADVERTISEMENT.
Continued from yesterday.


surprising had dropped it from the pock-
ct OF nv coat, which I had flung hastily
over nv shoulder when | left my room !;
but the next morning, when | was dress
ing. il attracted my attention as it lay up
on the table where had placed it. took
out the enclosure (the envelope had been
opened previously. and to my great sur
prise discovered nothing but copy OF the
English alphabet, with the same letters
repeated in different order or rather dis
order under it. did not recognize the
handwriting. nor did remember ever
having seen the paper before; but my
name was upon the envelope plainly
enough. so | thought it might possibly be-
long to some other member of nv famil Y
and have come into my possession by mis-
take When descended to the coffee
room asked the waiter whether there
was any other person OF the name of
Dickens in the hotel. and, after he had
made inquiry, he answered, NO" but
a gentleman who was sitting near me
looked up so quickly and anxiously at the
moment, that was on the point of speak
ing TO him, when he rose up suddenly and
lett the room. / noticed the same gentle
man. a man of about 50 years, perhaps,
with a sad, depressed look and manner
reading the Times newspaper in the after
noon, or rather the first page of il, and
signing dismally. as if he were in some
great trouble. More than once | would
have spoken to him. but every time that
he caught my eye he seemed confused and
anxious 10 avoid me; and oi~course, I
did not wish to intrude upon him, though
| would gladly have cheered him up lit
tie if could have done so, rs he seemed
to be quite alone.
The following night was again disturb
ed about the same hour as before, but by
"A different cause As soon as | was
fairly awake | became aware that some
one was in my room with "A light The
light was indeed so faint, or rather so
carefully shaded from sight, that it was
almost confined to one spot, like a ray
from dark lantern. 1t served. however,
10 show me the form Of man standing
near my dressing table. upon which had
laid my purse and watch and some other
contents ui my pockets when | undressed
The figure was busy with these articles,
turning them over, Is if making "A seec-
ton; and for few seconds | Law still,
watching him. | saw him take some
/ thing. which. from the sound | thought
must bee letter, and after examining the
address clasped it eagerly in his hand ;
and then turning to leave the room.
walking with steathy steps and carefully
/ shading the light from my eyey with his
/ hand
/ was determined not to be robbed in
! this manner, and, slipping hastily out of
/ bed, Contriyed TO reach the door and in
/ tercept his retreat. almost before he knew
/ he had been observed. In his surprise he
/ dropped the candle and with sudden
/ gasp or exclamation stood still before me,
making no effort to escape, and presently
/ began to sob Historically. | closed and
/ locked the door. and then. as quickly as
could. lighted my candle. To my great
surprise aud sorrow, found that the
person had detected was no other than
the sad old gentleman whom had MOTTO
ed in the coffee room. reading the Times.
rs have told YOU.
perceived Immediately that nv watch
and purse with one or two rings were
lying on the table undisturbed; it was
evident therefore, that this was no com
mon thief
"What have you taken ~ | asked
what motive had you in coming to my
room?'
felt very sorry tor the poor man. he
seemed in such distress, and | suppose
something in my look or tone of voice
made him aware of it.
II will tell YOU he said. ''if YOU will
only be silent and promise not to betrav
me. am the most unfortunate of men
but will tell you everything and then
throw myself upon your mercy. am
entirely in your power. but if you be.
l,eve my story you will be sorry for me.
| am quite innocent OF any wrong in the
matter-as innocent as vourselt-and |
might say. even more So"
How can that he ?" | asked
See. said he. this is the only thing
have robbed you of. and this is mine,
not yours - and he showed me the en-
velope with my name upon it.
Then why did YOU not claim it ?" |
asked; you saw it in my hand yesterday.
Why did you not ask for it ?"
II dared not, and am going to tell
YOU why"
"llow came my name upon it 9''
1T is my name. not vours-or rather
mine as well rs yours"
But the waiter told me your name was
Pierce, not Dickens.
Pierce is the name 60 by here. Let
me sit down; will explain everything"
lie seated himself by my bedside,
wrapped in travelling rug which lent
him, tor he was shivering, rs much from
nervousness. perhaps. as from cold, and
told me his story in few words
lie was bankers clerk, high up. of
long standing, and very much respected
in his house. He had-or. may say. has
a son grown up and a daughter. The
former had been idle and unsteady until
about a year ago he had held one or two
situations and lost them from misconduct.
At length he seemed determined to ire
form. and a. he had never been suspected
of anything worse than uupunctuality and
inattention 20 business, his father consent
ed, upon his earnest promises of good
conduct, to apply for a situation for him
the bank. and under his own immediate
supervision. For time the Young man
went on well. but he grew weary of the
[ confinement. and often talked OF emigrat-
/ ing. a proposal to which. as he was his
( only son, the father would not listen for a
moment.
At length, one day the son disappeared
+ and a letter arrived by post next morning
J from Liverpool. saying that he was on the
( point of sailing for New York. begging
/ forgiveness for the secrecy and sudden
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