The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-03-15
AN UNLUCKY FIND.

ELIZA oakley had been In tne service
of an excellent lady who was very kind
to her. She was smart girl, but not
conscientious, and with an idea that
impertnence was self-respect.
So she had, as she believed, asserted
her dignity by refusing to do something
not quite in her own department, but
which she was asked to do kindly, and
ill-feeling had been the consequence
and she had given warning.
She could not hope to find so kind
and considerable mistress or so good
home very speedily; but though all
that was required of her was a respect
full apology, she would not make it.
She packed her trunk, called the
man to help her carry it to the waiting
wagon, perched herself upon it, and set
off, and was left at the station half an
hour before the train arrived.
There was no one in the waiting
room at first, but shortly there arrived
n lady, who brought with her large
Saratoga trunk, small one, and a
pOrtmanteau.
These things were set in the usual
place, and checks given for them
three tied together on little string.
These the lady dropped into her reti-
cule, and wrapping her blue veil about
her face fell to pacing the platform.
When at last they entered the train
it happened that she sat right in front
of Eliza Oakley.
At first she sat very quietly, hardly
seeming to breathe, Then she opened
her bag and took out her checks.
Eliza saw the numbers upon them
SO, 81 and So. The cord tying them
together was knotted loosely
She united the knot and slipped the
numbered 81 from the cord, and put
ting the others in her bag again, began
TO play with this.
Eliza remembered that 81 was tho
number of the check that had been put
on the Saratoga trunk. Soon it drop
ped into her lap and she left it there.
Presently Eliza heard little tink-
ling sound The check had fallen from
the lady's lap to the floor.
Eliza had never been dishonest, but
she was covetUus and cnvious. Besides.
at that moment she had bad opinion
of ladies, rs her employer, doubtless,
had Of servants.
"She was not going to trouble her
self to tell the lady she had dropped
something she said to herself.
And the lady did not discover the
fact for herself. At the end of her
journey she got out without picking it
up, and hurried directly to the baggage
room.
Eliza herself picked up the check
and followed her. The lady would GER
tainly be ready to give a reward for
finding such an important thing, she
thought.
But the plan failed. The lady pre-
scented her two checks and had her
small trunk and portmanteau carried
to a waiting vehicle, and seemed to
have forgot all about her large Sarato-
ga trunk.
well" asked the baggage master,
approaching Eliza.
'My trunk" said the girl.
She put her own check in his hand.
Both of themP" said the man i'm
patiently.
The temptation was offered. Eliza
gave him both checks, and ten min
utes later was bargaining with n cab
man, who wanted extra fare for "a
great trunk like that"
Her heart was beating wildly. What
treasures of lace, silk, velvet, jewelry,
even money, might be in that fine
trunk, now her own, to all intents and
purposes?
And never did anything at all"
argued Eliza to herself at was given
to me LIKE didn't say word.
All the same the step of an approach
ing policeman made her start, and she
was sick with terror before she left the
station.
At the boarding house of Mrs. Nc
Gillup rooms were small and crowded
there were many young women out
Of place-and five slept in one large
room, and three in hall bedroom.
Trunks were slowed away, and there
was no opportunity for Eliza to examine
her prize.
These strangers might not be honest,
and il there were velvet robes, cash.
mere shawls, diamonds, and other