The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-04-25
MY ADVENTURE.
A Funny Mistake and It's Fortu-
nate Termination.

It was an odd adventure, and one
in which / exhibited degree of audac-
ity that can scarcely credit now; but
it brought me such good fortune that
have never regretted it, especially with
such reputation for dignity as l now
enjoy. 1t is not very long story, yet
l think it will interest you, My wife
says have told it TOO many times; but
/ believe it will bear one more repeti-
ton. 1t was in the year 1850. Twas
in the employ of large mercantile
house in the city of Boston. Ihad be-
gun with them six years before, fresh
from country town, and had gradual
ly been promoted until l was confden-
tial clerk, and had charge of the corps
of book-keepers which the business de-
manded. was of reserved DISPOSE
ton, of studious habits, and was fast
becoming confirmed bachelor, when
the events | shall narrate occurred,
changing the tenor of my life.
1t was the month of December; re-
member the evening as distinctly as
though it were just past The snow
was several inches deep, and the sky
was filled with the small white messen-
gers. The gas-li hts glimmered feebly;
the shop windows were obscured; travel
in the street had nearly ceased; while
the few who were out hurried as fast as
possible to their respective destinations.
Important business demanded my at
teution in New York, and l was to
leave on the midnight train for that
city. | had taken my supper, or more
properly speaking, light lunch, near
the store, where L was employed until
ten o'clock with the accounts and pa
pers which were necessary in the trans
action of the business which called me
away.
/ looked at my watch, and found |
had but scant time to 60 home, and get
my valise, which l had unfortunately
Gas then blindly thought) forgotten to
bring with me. As | left the warm
store, and stepped out into the wintry
air, and breasted the storm, the SEN
saton, instead of being unpleasant, was
rather celebrating. found, in few
minutes, however, that the storm was
more severe than had imagined, and
my progress was very difficult 1t took
me much longer to get to d street than
] anticipated, so that l was in a great
hurry.
| lived in long block of houses, all
inst al In / IS
who lived upon either side; for was
away early in the morning, was gone all
day, after | got back at night, devoted
myself to my pipe and books, very
rarely going cut again.
The storm seemed to have redoubled
its fury as went up the steps, anC
opened the door. was almost blown
into the hall, and the door swung be.
hind me with violence. All was dark
but l knew just were my valise was, al
ready, and so | crept upstairs eau
tiously, to avoid further disturbance
found my room door open, and. RICH
in the corner, where l expected m,
Valise.
Without an instant's delay l rushed
downstairs, and was soon out in tn,
binding sleet. was really exhausted
when | got to the station, and, to adj
to my trials, l was just in time to Sc
the train slowly moving off. After
hard run ] got on the last car, recov
cred my breath as soon as l could, pu
my valise into rack, gave the con
ductor, with whom l was well &C
quainted, my ticket, and settled mysel
for a nap. When | awoke it was morn
ing, and found, to my dismay. that W
were snow-bound, and had made bu
little progress on our way. There wa
nothing to do, however, but to max
the best of it read awhile, smoke
awhile, walked impatiently through tn
car, even lent them a hand at clearin,
the track; and, after other devices f
kill time, thought l would look owe
my business matters. As | took dow,
my valise, it felt so lightit attracted m
attention at once, so that | involun
tarily looked it over attentively. l
certainly appeared right, and there wer
my initials, G. S. R.. in the proper place
Something intutively told me i har
made a mistake, and before opening
tried to thinS how it had happened
Although l had taken it in the dark,
recalled the stairway, the room at tn
end of the upper hall, the position {
things as they had appeared in wha
little light there was, and the vaiise