Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-09-11
OUT OF A TRUNK.
The Good Fortune That Befell a
Needy Individual


It was q slightly cynical but fairly
ood-humored crowd that had gathered
before warehouse on Long wharf in
San Francisco one afternoon in the
summer of 81. Although the occasion
was an auction, the bidders chances
more than usually hazardous, and the
season and locality famous for reckless
speculation, there was scarcely any ex-
element among the bystanders, and
lazy, half-humorous curiosity seemed
to have taken the place of any zeal for
gain.
1t was an auction of unclaimed trunks
and boxes-the personal luggage of
early immigrants which had been left
on storage in hulk or warehouse at San
Francisco while the owner was seeking
his fortune in the mines.
The difficulty and expense of trans
port, often obliging the gold seeker TO
make part of his journey ON foot re-
stricted him to the smallest impede
menta, and that of kind not often
found in the luggage of ordinary civil
ization. AS consequence, during the
emigration of 40 he was apt on landing
to avail himself OF the invitation usual
ly displayed on some of the doors of
the rude hostelries on the shore: "Rest
for the Weary and forage for Trunks"
In majority of cases he never returned
TO claim his stored property. Enforced
absence, protracted equally by good or
evil fortune, accumulated the high stor-
age charges until they usually far ex-
ceeded the actual value of the goods;
sickness, further emigration, or death
also reduced the number of possible
claimants, and that more wonderful
human frailty-absolute forgetfulness
of deposited possessions-comb ined to-
gether to leave the bulk OF the property
in the custodian's hands, Under an I'M
derstood agreement they were al
ways sold at public auction after a
given time. Although the contents of
some of the trunks were exposed,
it was found more in keeping
with the public sentiment to sell the
trunks locked and unopened. The
element of curiosity was kept up from
time to time by the incautious disclos-
ures of the lucky or unlucl1y purchaser,
and general bidding thus encouraged
except when the REGULATOR, with the
true gambling iAsl-lyt, gave no indica-
ton in his face Of what was drawn in
this lottery. Generally, however, some
suggestion in the exterior of the trunk
label or initials-some conjectural
knowledge of its former owner, or the
idea that he might be secretly present
in the hope of getting his property back
for less than the accumulated dues,
kept up the bidding and interest.
A understanding, well-worn port
manteau had just been put up at a
small opening bid, when Harry Flint
Joined the crowd. The young man had
arrived week before at San Fran
cisco friendless and penniless, and had
been forced to part with his own effects
to procure necessary food and lodging
while looking for an employment, In
the irony of fate that morning the pro-
prietor of dry goods store, struck
with his good looks and manners. had
offered him situation If he could make
himself more presentable to his fan
clients. Harry Flint was gazing hall
ibstractedly, half hopelessly, at the
portmanteau without noticing the
auctioneer's persuasive challenge.
In his abstraction he was not aware
that the auctioneer's assistant was also
looking at him curiously, and that pos
sibly his detected and half-clad appear
ance had excited the attention of one
of the cynical bystanders, who was ex
changing few words with the assist
ant. He was, however, recalled t.
himself moment later when the port
manteau was knocked down at fifteeI
dollars, and considerably startled wheI
the assistant placed it at his feet will
grim smile. That's your property
Fowler, and reckon you look as Il
you wanted it back bad"
"But-there's som mistake" STAN
mered Flint. II didn't bid"
mo, but Tom Flynn did for you
You see, spotted you from the frs
and told Flynn reckoned you wer,
one of those chaps who came back from
the mines dead broke And he mp ant
bought your things for you-like ,
square man. That's Flynn's style, II
he is a gambler"
But" persisted Flint, ''this nevel
was my property. Ny name ISM
Fowler, and l never left anything
here"
The assistant looked at him with {
grim, half-credulous, half-scornfu
smile. Have it your own way" hi
said, but oughter tel We, old man
that I'm the warehouse clerk and re
member you. I'm here for that pur
pose. But, as that thar valise is bough
and paid for by somebody else and
given to you it's nothing more to me
Take or leave it.
The righteousness of quarreling owe
W uere form of his good fort inc hen