New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-09-30
IDENTICAL INITIALS.

1t was certainly an odd adventure
and one in which I exhibited a degree
Of audacity that l can scarcely credit
it now; but it brought me such good
fortune that I have never regretted it,
especially with such a reputation for
dignity as I now enjoy. Il is not
very long story; yet thinN it will in
terest you. My wife says 1 have told
it too many times; but believe it
will bear one more REPETITION. It was
in the year 1850. I was in. the en-
ploy Of a large mercantile house in the
city of Boston. l had begun with
them six years before, fresh from a
country town, and had gradually been
promoted until I was confidential clerk,
and had charge OF the corps Of book
keepers which the business demanded.
| was of a reserved disposition, of
studious habits, and was fast becom-
ing confirmed bachelor, when the
events I shall narrate occurred, chang
ing the tenor OF my life.
1t was in the month of December; [
remember the evening as distinctly as
though it were just passed. Thesnow
was several inches deep, and the sky
was filled with the small, white mes
sengers. The gas light glimmered
feebly; the shop windows We're obscur-
ed; travel in the street had nearly
ceased; while the few who were out
hurried as fast as possible to their re-
spective destinations. Important bus
mess demanded my attention in New
York, and | was to leave. on the mid
night train for that city. Ihad taken
my supper, OF more properly speak
ing, light lunch near the store, where
Twas employed, until ten o 'clock, with
the accounts and papers which were
necessary in the transaction OF the
business which called me away.
l looked at my watch, and found
had butscant time togo home and get
my valise, which had unfortunately
las sblindly thought) forgotten to
bring with me. AS left the warm store
and stepped out into the wintry air,
and breasted the storm, the sensa-
ton, instead of being unpleasant, was
rather celebrating. I found in a few
minutes, however, that the storm was
more severe than had imagined, and
my progress was very difficult 1t
took much longer to get to D street
than anticipated, so / was in q great
hurry.
I lived in a long block of houses, all
just alike, and knew nothing of those
who lived upon either side; for I was
away early in the morning, was gone
all day, and after returning at ght
devoted myself to my pipe and books,
very rarely going out again.
The storm seemed to have redoubled
it's fury as went up the steps, and
opened the door. l was blown into
the hall, and the door swung violently
behind me. All was dark, but knew
just where my valise was all ready, so
1 crept upstairs, cautiously, found my
room door open, and right in the
corner, as expected, my valise.
Without an instant s delay, rushed
downstairs and was soon out in the
binding sleet. Twas nearly exhausted
when I got to the station, and to add
to my trials, / was just in time to see
the train slowly moving off. After I
had run | got on the last car, racov-
ed my breath as soon as l could, put
my valise into a rack, gave the con-
ductor my ticket, and settled myself
for a nap.
When l awoke it was morning, and
found to my dismay, that we were
snow-bound, and had made but little
progress on our way. There was moth
ing to do, however, but to make the
most OF it. / read alittle while, smok-
ed while, walked impatiently through
the cars, and even lent them hand
at clearing the track; after other de-
vices to kill time, l thought I would
look over my business matters AS
took down my valise it felt so light it
attracted my attention at once, SO
that involuntarily looked it all over
attentively. It certainly appeared
right. There was my initials, c. S. r.,
in the proper place. Something intui-
lively told me I had made mistake,
and before opening it tried to think
how it had happened. Although Ihad
taken it in the dark, recalled the
stairway, the room at the end Of the
upper hall, the position of things as
they appeared in what little light there
was, and the valise in the corner
whence I took it. There could be no
mistake, and yet the valise seemed on
" about half as heavy asst ought. It
may appear strange that / had not
noticed it before, but in my hurry to
the station, I doubt should have
noticed had it been empty.
To solve the mystery | opened it,
and the contents certainly were not
mine. Perhaps some Of the fellows in
the house had played trick on me.
found some toilet articles, some APP
pies, 9 book, and at the bottom, a
roll which appeared to be q lecture in
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