The Portland daily press., 1888-09-17
ROMANCE OF A RING.
The Good Luck of a Wide-Awake
Drummer.

A few months ago, says the Toledo
Blade, travelling salesman named Woods,
who was guest of the Boody House in this
city, was sitting upon the sofa in his room
absorbed in reflection. While carelessly
running his hand behind the upholstery in
the sofa he felt small finger ring with a
diamond setting. He knew enough about
diamonds to observe thatthe stone was a gem,
exquisitely cut and perfect.
he naturally began wondering how the
little treasure found its way into so remote q
place, and, after considerable thinking, came
to the conclusion that it had either been hid
den Intentionally or that it had slipped from a
finger of the owner-evidently a lady, for
it was a lady's ring-while she had thought
lessly been playing with the upholstery in the
same manner.
He looked for initials or name in the ring.
but found nothing that would lead to the iden-
tity OF the owner. He went to the Office and
inquired If ring had been lost but the clerk
had heard OF none, and upon inquiry no one
else was found who knew anything of it
The next morning Mr., Woods was prepar-
ing his toilet before the dresser, when he
noticed the letters IN. G. f." and the date
''Sept. IT," delicately cut in the mirror.
He thought nothing Of it at the time, but
shortly afterward the idea entered his mind
that the initials might possibly be those of
the owner of the ring he had found. They
were certainly cut by diamond, and it was
reasonable to suppose that they were carved
with the very ring he had found Anyhow.
it was interesting, and he determined to in
vestigate the romance.
From the clerk he obtained the register for
last September and looked through the list of
names for one the initials of which were NJ.
q. +. Nothing satisfactory was found, He
asked for the register of the September pre-
vi0us, and after little search it was pro-
cured. Under the date of Sept. l6 he saw the
no in n 10 ANr1c how .Ax.rrf Ma
c. Fowler, Madison, Wis.," and she was as
signed to Room 4S, the very one he had occu-
pied,
Then he was certain that this young lady
was the same who had engraved her Initials
ON the mirror. The doubt still remained if
she was the owner Of the ring he had found.
His first intention Was to address a letter
to the lady named, but as he was going to
Chicago and Milwaukee he concluded to run
over to Madison and investigate in person.
He did SO. From the city directory he
found several addresses of Fowlers and noted
them in his order book. He selected the ad-
dress OF Russell Nj. Fowler, attorney at law,
Judging that attorneys as q rule, being men
OF wealth, their daughters would more likey
wear diamonds than those whose parents
were newspaper men or followers of other
callings.
He presented himself at the residence and
asked if Miss May Fowler was at home, He
received an Affirmative reply, and was ush-
cred into room where the young lady was
sitting with her father, who was reading
paper.
Woods introduced himself, and asked
Miss Fowler IL she ever lost a diamond ring.
After hesitating moment, she said:
,,,s,t YES E.s sir lost one two years ago on
Were you ever in Toledo, Ohi0?"
Yes. stopped there over night while on
my trip, and waited until the next evening
for papa. You remember, don't you, faith
er?"
quite WE'LL" the lawyer replied.
Where did you stop?" asked Woods.
Il don't remember the name of the hotel,
but it was in the centre of the city, and was
the leading house in town. 1t was about
two blocks from the river"
Mr.. Fowler then eyed Woods suspiciously
and asked why he was so inquisitive.
The drummer replied BY handing the
young lady the ring, and asking if it was
hers.
$50. ,.s0h, the very same was the reply.
Where did you get it, Mr.. Woods
Woods related the circumstances as re-
corded above, and concluded with the re-
mark that he hoped Miss Fowler found as
much pleasure in obtaining the ring as he
had derived In following the little mystery,
MI. Fowler gave himself up to q hearty
laugh, at the same time thanking Woods for
his kindness, and remarking that it was one
OF the cleyerest pieces of detective work he
had ever seen. As a criminal lawyer he had
observed many OF them, too.
Woods was invited to remain for dinner,
and he did so. He made himself very agree
able, and succeeded in creating a favorable
impression. He was cordially invited to call
again II he ever happened to return to the
city.
About three weeks later he found himself
In Madison again on his return trip from the
West. He was well received by the Fowlers.
and was introduced by them to some of the
best people in Madison.
1t was nearly three months before his next
trip In that vicinity, and he was surprised at
the anxiety he seemed to feel to accept the
at the Fowler mansion.
!, But what IS the necessity of saying any
thing more? 1t was the most natural thing
In the world for the young people to fall in
love with SO romantic an Introduction. And
thep did.
And today Miss Fowler's name Is changed
to Mrs. Greene Woods.