The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-11-13
IDENTICAL INITIALS.
Chicago Current.

1t was certainly an odd adventure
and one in which / exhibited a degree
of audacity that can scarcely credit
it now; but it brought me such good
fortune that I have never regretted it
especially with such a reputation fol
dignity as I now enjoy. 1t is not q
very long story; yet think it will in
terest you. My wife says have told
it too many times; but believe it
will bear one more repitition. 1t was
in the year 1850. 1 was in the EN-
ploy of a large mercantile house in the
city of Boston. had begun with
them six years before, fresh from q
country town, and had gradually been
promoted until was confidential clerk,
and had charge OF the corps of book
keepers which the business demanded
was of O. reserved disposition, ot
studious habits, and was fast becom-
ing a confirmed bachelor, when the
events / shall narrate occurred, chang.
Ing the tenor OF my lie.
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; theshop 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 1 was to leave on the mid
night train for that city. had taken
my supper, or more properly speak
ing, a light lunch near the store, where
l was employed, until teno 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 I
had but scant time togo home and get
my valise, which had unfortunately
las / blindly thought) forgotten to
bring with me- AS l left the warm store
and stepped out into the wint1y air,
and breasted the storm, the sensa-
tion, instead of being unpleasant, was
rather exhilerating. I found in few
minutes, however, that the storm was
more severe than / had imagined, and
my progress was very difficult. 1t
took mudil longer to get to D street
than anticipated, so was in a great
hurry
lived IN a long block ofEhouses, all
just alike, and knew nothing of those
who lived upon either side; for 1 was
away early in the morning, was gone
all day, and after returning at night l
devoted nGyself to nay pipe and books,
very rarely going out again.
The storm seemed to haveredoubled
its fury as went wD the steps, and
opened the door. l was blown into
the hall, and the door swung violently
behind me. All was dark, but Iknew
just where nay valise was all ready, so
| crept upstairs, cautiously found my
room door open, and right in the
corner, as dexpected, my vaiise.
Without an instant7s delay, / rushed
downstairs and was soon out in the
binding Sleet. Twas nearly exhausted
when 1 got TO the station, and to add
to my trials, was just I'M time to see
the train slowly moving off. After l
had run COTTON the last car, rncov-
ed my breath:as soon as / could, put
my valise into rack, gave the con
ductor my ticket, and settled anyself
for a nap.
When I awoke it was morning, and
i found to mly dismay, that we We're
and had made tbut;little
progress on 0urway. There wasnoth-
ing to do, however, but to make the
most of it. Inead alittle while, smok-
ed while, walked impatiefatly through
the cars, and even lent tiaem O. hand
at clearing the track; after cother. de-
vices to kill time, thought I would
look over my business matters. As 1
took down my valise it felt So Eight it
attracted my attention at once, SO
that involuntarily looked it all over
atten4ively. 1t certainly appeared
right. There was my initials, C. S. R.,
in the proper place Something ia1bui-
lively told me had made mistake,
and before opening it i tried to thank |
how it had happened. Although L had
taken lit in the dark, recalled the
stairway, the room at the end of the
upper hail, the position of things as
they appeared in what little light there
was, and the valise in the corner |
whence took it. There c0tlld be no !
mistake, and yet the valise seemed on
y about half as heavy as it ought. It |
may appear strange that 1 had not |
aoticed it before, but in my hurry to
5he station, / doubt should have
noticed had it been empty.
To solve the mystery 1 opened it,
Ind the contents certainly were not
nine Perhaps some of the fellows in
he house had played trick on me.
found some toilet articles, some APP
,les, book. and at the bottom,
oil which appeared to be a lecture in
manuscript upon "Grecian Art" with