The Osceola times., 1885-05-09
MY ADVENTURE.
A Funny Mistake and It's Fortu-
nate Termination.

II was an odd adventure, and one
IN which | exhibited degree OF audac-
ity that can scarcely credit now; but
il brought me such good fortune that
have never regretted it, especially with
such a reputation for dignity as l now
enjoy. 1t is not very long story. yet
think it will interest you. My wife
saws have told it Too many times; but
believe it will bear one more repeti-
Ion. 1t was in the year 1850. Twas
in the employ of large mercantile
house in the city of Boston. 1had be-
gun with them six years before, fresh
from country town, and had gradual.
" peen promoted until was con,iden-
,ial clerk, and had charge Of the corps
of book-keepers which the business dc.
manded. was of reserved disposi-
tion, of studious habits, and was fast
becoming a 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 az
though it were just past The snow
was several inches deep, and the sky
was filed with the small white messen-
gers The gas-lights glimmered fcebly;
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
ieution in New York, and | was to
leave on the midnight train for that
city. had taken my supper, or more
properly speaking, a light lunch, near
the store, where | 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 90 home, and get
my valise, which l had unfortunately
Gas ! then blindly thoughD forgotten 20
bring with me. As left the warm
store, and stepped ou. into the wintry
air, and breasted the storm, the SEN
sation, instead of being unpleasant, was
rsther exhilurating. found. in a 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 ID street than
anticipated, SO that was in a great
hurry
lived in long block of houses, all
Just alike. | knew nothing of those
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 l went up the steps. and
opened the door. | was almost blown
INTO the hall, and the door swung be-
hlnd me with violence. All was dark
out knew just were my valise was, all
ready, and so l crcpt upstairs eau
uously, to avoid further disturbance,
found my room door open, and. right
10 The corner, where l expected my
ralise.
Without an instant's delay I rushed
downstairs, and was soon out in the
ollndlng sleet. l was really exhausted
when got to the station, and. to add
70 my trials, / was just in time to see
,he train slowly moving of. After a
haru run 1 got on the last car, recov-
cred my breath us soon as could, put
my vallse into a rack, gave the con-
ouctor, with whom l was well ac-
gua'nted, my ticket, and settled myself
ior nap. When | awoke it was morn
'pg' and found, to my dismay. that we
were snow-bound, and had made but
Sue progress on our wav. There was
no'hlng to do, however, but to make
'ne best of it l read awhile, smoked
awhile walked impatiently through the
gar even lent them q hand at clearing
@ ,ne track; and, after other devices to
Au' time, thought l would look over
my business matters. As | took down
my Valise, it felt so light il attracted my
attention at once, so that | involun-
.arliy looked 1t over attentively. 1t
certainly appeared right, and there were
Sny initials, Z. S. r.. in the proper place.
something intuitively told me l had
niaue mistake, and before opening
u%d TO think how it had happened.
n'lhough | had taken it in the dark,
aeVaied the stairway, the room at the
,t ,uu OF tho upper hall, the position of
,ni,ngs as they had appeared in what
''e hght there was, and the valise in
me corner whence / took it. There
soulu DC no mistake, and yet this valise
seoned onl y about half as heavy as it
pugh~ 1t may appear strange that i
Nv not noticed it before; but, in my
ha,ry 10 the station, / doubt if should
'"re w. noticed had it been empty.
,,i 10 solve the mystery. opened it.
rni nau inc contents certainly were not
Iu h'ne' Perhaps some of the fellows in
IT, so mouse had played trick upon me.
iound some toilet articles, some apples,
s' oook' and, at the bottom, a roll which
rpeared n to be my papers, but which
rao'ed 10 be a lecture in manuscript
cPon "1recian Art" with the name
SS,nester NJ, Sylvanus Richardson at the end.
,,a "1o the dickens he was was a mystery.
aroa aru now l came by his valisc still
oaer problem. After more study
- II II flashed upon me that 1 must
M gone into one of the other houses
i.,ne ne nlock. This eased my mind
mr rre, u though l still felt anxious about
do bpapers' There was nothing could
re,G u' exercise patience. and so l began
wba, me lecture. Although some
n in,. oeyond my requirements. found
ting and instructive.
ioward four o'clock in the afternoon
hi arrived at the manufacturing town
wida whose inhabitants were of the
.o oos,,awake, os,a knowledge seeking class
.in.na mn found in thriving New England
a. it was impossible to tran