The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-03
THE LOST SNUFF-BoX.
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 It is said that Marshall Wade had a great passion for gaming, which often led him into places where the company was not so highly respectable as it might be. On one occasion he joined party of men who were playing with dice. As the game proceeded the marshal became excited, and was lost to everything but the rattle of the dice-box. In his ab- straction he pulled out 8 valuable gold snuff-box, set with diamonds, and passed it round the company. On its return he placed 1t in a different pocket to the one from which be had at first taken it, and he was SO absorbed in the play as to be quite unconscious of the action, nor was it observed by any one else in the cem- pany. After a while he felt in the pocket which usually held his snuff-box, and finding t not there declared that 1t had not been returned to him, and that some one present had purloined 1t Placing his back against the door, he said no man should leave the room until his snuff-box was found. A general search proved futile; then it was proposed that every one should empty his pockets in pres ence of the rest After some laughing it was agreed to. A stranger sat next to the marshal, he was dressed as an officer, but so shabbily that suspicion fell upon him at once, and it was proposed to search him first. He resisted, saying, know the marshal well, and am pre- pared to give him my name Upon the honor of a soldier know nothing of the snuff-box that ought to be enough. No man or number of men shall compel me to be searched. Let the man who doubts my honor follow me into the next room, and there l will defend my honor or perish" The marshal was preparing to leave the room when, oA feeling for his sword, he discovered the lost snuff-box in side-pocket. He apologlzed to tho shabbily dressed officer by offering his hand and saying, Sir, in the presence of this company beg your pardon if you grant it, take bseakfsst with me to-mor- row, and hereafter rank me as your friend" The poor officer, with his threadbars clothes clean and well brushed, kep, the appointment The marshal asked him as 10 his shabby ap- pearancc, and why he refused to be searched. "Well,' said the oficer, "you must know little of my history. 1 am an officer in the army, but only on halt-pay. For years have been the sole support of an invalid sister, whom love more than my own life For three weeks past have lived upon bread and water in order that my scanty means might go to her support. Yesterday was reduced to my last shilling, and knew not what to do until my pay should again become due. In the morning called upon a friend, former brother officer, intending to acquAint him with my present circum- stances but my heart failed me, and 1 concealed my true position from him. He asked me to have dinner with him and consented; but was all the time wishing that my poor sister could have little of the dainties sst before us. Just at that moment an opportunity seemed ts favor my wishes My friend was called away from the table, and in his absence took up the leg and wing of a fowl from my plate, wrapped them in piece of paper, and stuffed them into my pocket. When he returned he remarked that he was glad had not waited at which I smiled. On my way home passed gaming house, and the thought was suggested to me that my last shilling might by stroke of good luck be made into many shillings. It was my first venture into such place, and it will be the last We'll sir, you know the rest. When the idea of searching was su.- gested, the thought of the piece of fowl being found in my pocket was more ter rible than that of fighting ali the room round" At the conclusion of the poor officers story, glittering drops might have been discovered in the marshaps eyes, as bright xs his own diamonds, and from that time forth, the brother and sister found life long friend, through whose kind aid the sisters table and the