Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-18
STRANGE CONDOLENCES.
Lost Scarab Recovered al. 40 Old
Friends Exchange Boots,

Hrtcuus ExCuange bOOtS.
Talking about condolences" +" said young
man to a group in hotel lobby the other
evening, .'reminds me of something rather
remarkable in that line which happened to
me the other day. You have noticed, per-
haps," he continued, "that several Washing
ton young gentlemen wear Egyptian scarabs
as watch charms, similar to this one ON my
chain. Well, met one of these young men
the other day on the avenue, and, in course
of conversation, noticing this little antique,
he said: DO you know have lost my scarab,
and am mighty sorry, for it, too. 1t was a
genuine antique, and | can't replace it.
thought at first that would recover it, as
lost it in the sleeping car coming from New
York to Washington, but all my efforts were
fruitless. and SO | have given it up Now
here comes the strange part of it," continued
the speaker. "The very next day l stopped
on the avenue to have a moments chat with
a mutual friend, well known official at the
capitol. Noticing my charm, he said: What
is this little trinketF explained, and be con-
tinued, We'll, do you know, found one like
that the other day, and thought at first it
was mystical society badge of some kind
and slipped it in my pocket and never thought
anything more about it. | found it under
New York the other night, and was the las;
passenger to leave the sleeper in Jersey City.
made a hurried toilet, but something hurt
my foot, so that had to take OFF my shoe
and the little stone dropped out. / couldn't
imagine where it came from, and was going
to throw it away, but, noticing the carved
inscription, changed my mind, and Slipped
1T in my pocket.
Il think | know the owner" said, land
soon had the loser and the finder talking
through the telephone TO each other, and the
foryuer was rejoiced to hear of the recovery
Cf lis lost scarab. Now, although they were
well acquainted, nothing would ever have
come of it all if both hadn't noticed my
charm and told of the loss ard find.n
Now, that's equal to a coincidence that
knew Of several years ago." said the colonel
and it was right here in this hotel Office.
had an appointment one evening to meet al
army captain who had just arrived thai
morning from New York He was a pretty
high liver, and was liable to take a little tot
much. He acknowledged to me that he hac
had what he called q jag on the night be
fore. He was full before he left New York
and got fuller with some friends before h'
turned in on the sleeper. In the morning hi
was somewhat unsteady, but dressed hur
riedly and came up town. He was very busy
during the day, and although he walked 1
good deal he hadn't noticed until dinner
that he had been wearing another fellow
boots, and they were at least a size too larg
for him. He had just explained all this Il
me in answer TO question as to how he was
when l saw him look steadily at gentleman
| who had stopped III the middle of the off1c
| to light cigar. All of sudden he jumped
| up, hurried across, and, slapping the othe
man on the shoulder, exclaimed: why, B.
| old boy, how are youi l haven't seen yoV
| for ten years. 1t appeared they were oil
| friends, who had drifted apart in the chang
| ing army life. He brought his newly fount
| friend over and introduced him. In tn
course of conversation the latter said: 4
funny and rather disagreeable thing hap
| pened to mo last night, and l am suffering
| from it still l came over from New Yorl
| on the night train. While getting dresses
this morning / called tho porter and said
These aren't my boots 'Dey is de onlis
ones lef, boss; all de udder gents is gone ar
| dey mus be yourn.' There was nothing t
be done but wear them. Although too small
l managed to get them on, and have wor1
| them all day. They seem to be shrinking
| every hour, though, and hurt like the devil
at was q study to watch the face of m,
| friend, the captain. He looked from tn
boots to the mans face while he was tellin
the story, and when it was finished he ey
claimed: We'll, I'll be id if you aren'
wearing my bootsr Explanations and drink
were in order. Washington Star.