Omaha daily bee., 1888-10-22
)UND THE RINGS OWNER
Romance OF q Ring.

few months ago travelling
salesman named Woods who was guest
Of the Boody house, in this city, was sitting
upon the sofa in his room, absorbed in rettec
ton. says the Toledo Blade. While care
lessly running his hand behind the up
bolstcry in the sofa he felt small finger
ring which he drew forth and discovered it
TO be gold finger ring with diamond set
ting He knew enough about diamonds to
observe that the stone was gem, exquisitely
cut and perfect.
He naturally began wondering how the lit
tie treasure found lts way into so remote
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--cvdently lady, for
it was 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 identity 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 no.
ticcd the letters IN. c. F.' and the date
September ~ dclicatcly cut in the bevel of
the mirror. He thought nothing of IL 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 a diamond, and
it was reasonable to suppose that they were
carved with the very ring he had found.
Anyhow, it was interesting, and he deter
mined TO investigate 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
M. &. +. Nothing satisfactory was found.
He asked for the register for the September
previous, and after little search 1t was pro
cured. Under the date of September IL he
saw the name, in a lady'S handwriting, Miss
May &. Fowler, Madison, Wis, and she was
assigned to room 10, the very one he had oc-
Cupied.
Then he was certain that this young lady
was the same who had engraved her in-
itials on the mirror. The doubt still re
manned if she was the owner of the ring he
had found.
His first intention was to address letter
to the lady named, but as he was gong 10
Chicago and Milwaukee he concluded to run
over to Madison and investigate in person.
lie did so. From the city directory he
found several addresses of k'owlers and
noted them i'll his order book He selected
the address of Russell M. Fowler, attorney
mt law, judging that attorneys. as rule,
being men of wealth, their daughters would
more likely wear diamonds than those whose
parents were newspaper men OF 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 a room where the young lady was
sitting with her father, who was reading a
paper,
Woods introduced himself and asked Miss
Fowler If she had ever lost a diamond ring
After hesitating moment, she said:
"Yes, sir. | lost one two years ago on a
visit east. don't know where, though"
"Wcre you ever in Toledo, o."
,,.l, l,.t
my trip, and waited until the next evening
for papa. You remember, don't you,
fatherp
"Quite WE'LL" the lawyer replied
"Whcre did you stopt" asked Woods.
81 don't remember the name of the hotel,
but il was in the center of tho city, and was
the leading house in town. 1t was about two
blocks from the rver.N
Mr. Fowler then eyed Woods suspiciously
and asked why he was so inquisitiye.
The drummer replied by handing the
young lady the ring and asking if it was
hers.
''Oh, tho 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 III obtaining the ring as he had
derived in following the little mystery.
Mr.. Fowler gave himself up to hearty
laugh, at the same time thanking Woods for
his kindness, and rcmarking that it was one
OF the cieVerest pieces OF uetcCllVe work ne
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 favorable
impression. He was cordially invited to
call again if he ever happened to return &c
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
visit in that vicinity. and he was surprised a,
the anxiety he seemed to feel to accept the
invitation he had received to present himsel
at the Fowler mansion.
But what is the necessity of saying any
thing morei 1t was the most natural thinl
in the world for tho young people to fall IL
love with so romantic an introduction. Ant
they did.
And to-day Miss Fowler's name is changes
TO Mrs. Greene Woods.