The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-08-19
OUT OF A TRUNK.

1t was a slightly cynical but fairly
good-humored crowd that had gathered
before a 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-
citement 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 lug
gage of early immigrants-which had
been left on storage in hulk or ware
house 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 impedi-
ment. and that of a kind not often
found in the luggage of ordinary civili-
zation. As a consequence, during the
emigration of '49 he was apt on land
usually displayed on some of the doors
"Rest for the Weary and Storage for
Trunks" In majority of cases he
never returned to claim his stored
property. Enforced absence, protacted
equally by good or evil fortune, ac-
cumulated the high storage charges
until they usually far exceeded the
actual value of the goods; sickness,
further emigration. or death also re-
duced the number of possible claim
ants. and that more wonderful human
frailty-absolute forgetfulness of de-
posted possessions-combined together
to leave the bulk of the property in the
custodian's hands. Under an under
stood agreement they were always sold
at public auction after given time.
Although the contents of some of the
trunks were exposed, it was found
more in keeping with the public senti-
ment to sell the trunks locked and un-
opened. The element of curiosity was
kept up from time to time by the in-
cautious disclosures of the lucky or un-
lucky purchaser, and general bidding
thus encouraged - except when the
speculator, with the true gembling in
stinct, gave no indication in his face
of what was drawn in this lottery.
Generally, however, some suggestion
in the exterior of the trunk-a 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 modest-looking, 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 a week before at San
Francisco friendless and penniless, and
had been forced to part with his own
effects to procure necessary food and
lodging while looking for an employ
ing the proprietor of a dry-goods store,
struck with his good looks and man.
ners. had offered him situation if he
could make himself more presentable
to his fair clients. Harry Flint was
gazing half abstractedly, half hopeless
", at the portmanteau without motto
ing the auctioneer's persuasive chal
| lenge.
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 to him
self moment later when the portman
teau was knocked down at $15, and con
siderably startled when the assistan
placed it at his feet with grim smile
That's your property, Fowler, and
reckon you look as if you wanted
back bad"
'.But-there's some 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 fron
the mines dead broke. And he up an
bought your things for you-like
square man. That's Flynn's STYLE if h
is a gambler"
But" persisted Flint. this neve
was my property. My name ism
Fowler, and I never left anythin
here"
The assistant looked at him with
grim, half credulous half scornfr
smile. Have it your own way,
said "but oughter tell ye, old mar
that I'm the warehouse clerk and n
member you. Pm here for that pul
pose But, as that thar valise is bougf
and paid for by somebody else an
given to you it's nothing more to M
Take or leave it."
The Righteousness of quarreling owe
the mere form of his good fortune hel
struck Flint, and, as his abrupt ben
factor had as abruptly disappeared,
hurried off with his prize. Reachin
! his cheap lodging-house he examine
7 its contents. AS he had surmised,
contained full suit of clothing OF IL
better sort and suitable to his urba
l needs. There were few articles
: jewelry, which he put religiously asid
\ There were some letters which SCENE
J to be of a purely business characte
There were a few daguerreotypes
/. pretty faces, one of which was singula
iy fascinating to him. But there w
} another, of Young man, which startl'
- him with its marvellous resemblance
himself In flash of intelligence
understood it all now. 1t was the lls
ness OF the former owner of the trun
for whom the assistant had actual
mistaken him. He glanced hurried
at the envelopes of the letters. Th
were addressed to Shelby Fowler, t
name by which the assistant had j.
called him. The mystery was pla
now. And for the present he cou
fairly accept his good luck and tr1
to later fortune to justify himself.
Transformed in his new garb he Il
his lodgings to present himself on
more to his possible employer /
~ way led past one of the large gambli
saloons. 1t was yet too early to ii
the dry-goods dealer disengaged, p
haps the consciousness of more dect
s. civilized garb emboldened him
mingle more freely with strangers
~ he entered the saloon. He was scar
l. ly abreast of one of the faro tab
when a man suddenly leaped up W
an oath and discharged revolver i
in his face. The shot missed. Bef'
his unknown assailant could fire ag
the astonished Flint had closed W
him and instinctively clutched
weapon. A brief but violent strug
ensued. Flint felt his strength fall