Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-03-22
A CASE OF SMITHS.


panions on a train bound for ALBANY
One was a small, thin man, with long
crooked nose and a wide mouth; the other,
a fatman with generally prosperous and
well to do air aud diamond the size of his
thumb peeping above the top button of his
long travelling coat
On this the eyes of the thin man rested
admiringly, and after pause he remarked:
That's O splendid diamond you've got
there. l know one when | see it. Pm a
teweler up in Albany and it's not often
have the pleasure of admiring such a stone
a. that"
How do you like that?" said the other
traveller, bending his little finger and show
ing another diamond set in thick gold
ring.
Beautiful said the ieweler "Beauti-
fulP'
My wife has whole set as handsome"
said the fat gentleman l am perhaps, at
n, the richest man in -, and l give you
my word that on my thirtieth birthday |
was starving.
ut is not wise for young clerk to give
apiece of his mind to his employer I'd
done that and had been dismissed and |
could not find another situation.
IF I'd had the fare in my pocket, I'd
have been farming it at Frog Hollow now
and just as happy as clam, no doubt; but
hadn't dollar, and was ready to break
down.
Thirsty rs | was, hungry, and remem-
boring that at free reading room hard by
they always had ice water on tap, / skunk
IN there, drank couple of glasses and took
up morning paper,
II was deep in the column Help Wanted
when hand touched me on the shoulder
and voice said:
Are you John Smith,
"'Yes,' answered. turning to look at the
speaker.
"A slim boy in a linen jacket stood be-
fore me- He held letter in his hand
John p. Smith, he asked, referring
toit
Yes said ! again.
II had been christened John Poppington,
after my greatuncle.
"'All right, sir he said This is for
you, then. They told me I'd find you here,
sir-very probably, sir. Here's the letter,
Hr, Good morning, sir
II opened the envelope and saw upon a
sheet of paper adorned with the representa-
ton of large hotel, with crowds of the
most fashionable ladies and gentlemen en-
tering and departing from it's portals, the
following words:
mir John p Smith.
"SR-Hearing that you are at present olsen
gagged, we desire to procure your valuable serv-
ices on your own terms. 1t is a special case
which will require instant attention. win you
call on = -, as above, at your very earli-
est convenience & -.
Gould it be "a trick of some OF the other
clerksP Yes, it must be- If it is said 1,
I'll show them how we polish off rascals
at Frog Hollow And slamming my hat
on the back of my head, and turning upmy
cuffs In anticipation of a conflict, 1 hurried
up the street, and marching into the hotel
and up to the clerk at the desk laid my en-
velope before him and beloved:
WAS this sent from here? Pm John L.
Smith,
ITO my utter astonishment, sir, the clerk
bowed politely, smiled and said:
"'Yes, sir Here, waiter-Mr. A. s pri-
vate room; he is waiting for this gentle
man
II followed the waiter After long hall,
q large door and "a square passageway we
came to door at which he knocked.
1.-THE waiter opened the door, stepped
back, allowed me to pass him and shut me
IN.
II stood in a splendid little room, with a
Persian rug on the floor, several wonderful
chairs, a library table, an imposing desk
case, and two middle aged gentlemen of
very important aspect rose to greet me.
1--WE are greatly obliged to you for your
prompitude, Mr.. Smith, said the first.
shaking hands warmly
SO considerate of you, too, to come in
disguise said the first. You are so well
known to criminals that it might have
given alarm had you come in your proper
person, but that makeup, now, isn't it per-
feet, Az Isn't it perfect? That linen coat,
those clean whiskers and that wig
"'Wigp cried l. See here. If you're
making fun of me, PIP
'Good-good,' said Mr.. A., laughing,
then becoming grave again:
But now to the business for which we
need you We were Mortified this morning,
Mr.. Smith, to hear that Lord Lumpkins,
an English nobleman, staying here before
proceeding to hunt on the plains, had been
robbed of tremendous sum--G10,0 600, I'm
fact $780, 600 at least.
"'The credit of our house is involved.
We are in II terrible dilemma. Servants
and employees have been searchcd all limo
cent, am sure. No guest has left 1t was
not.a burglar. No. sir. We will take you
to Lord Lumpkins' room, and he will give
you all particulars.
"'Of course, Mr.. Smith, you'll stay here
while you work up the case Pve put room
at your disposal. Pray complain to us IL
you are not comfortable. After our inter
view, will you lunch with us while we talk
It over2'
would l lunch' would have lunched,
j am afraid with any imp of darkness who
had invited me
II understood nothing that was required
Of me, but as | had been clerk in real
estate Office and had a dim idea of law bust
ness and legal papers | supposed it was
something of that sort for which they need
ed me- At all events, whatever happened,
would live well while it lasted.
II followed them to his lordship's room
and took careful notes of all he told me he
had lost.s
Miniature of a young lady set in dfa-
monds. In point of fact, likeness of
q L IL