Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-07-07
THE WRONG VALlSE.

now, DuJ IL brought HE SuCu SOOu
fortune that | never regretted it, es-
pecially with such reputation for
dignity as l now enjoy. 1t is not a
very long story, yet think it will in
terest you. Ny wife says have told
it too many times, but l believe it will
bear one more repetition.
1t was In the year 1850 I was in
the employ Of a large mercantile
house. had begun with them six
years before, fresh from a country
town, and had gradually been pro
NOTED unit! | was confidential clerk
and had charge of the corps Of book
keepers which the business demand
ed. | was of a reserved disposition,
of studlous habits, and was fast be
coming a confirmed bachelor when
the events | shall narrate occurred,
changing the tenor OF my life.
1t was the month Of December. |
remember the evening as distinctly
as though it were just past. The
snow was several inches deep, and
the sky was filled with the small
white messengers. The gaslights
glimlnered feebly, the shop windows
were obscured, traffic in the street
had nearly ceased, while the few who
were out hurried as fast as possible to
their respective destinations.
Important business demanded my
attention in Glasgow, aud | was to
leave by the midnight train for that
city. | had taken my supper, or,
more properly speaking, light lunch
near the office, where | was employed
until 10 o'clock with the accounts and
papers which were necessary in the
transaction of the business which
called me away. | looked at my
watch and found | had but scant
time 70 go home and get my valise,
which | had unfortunately (as | then
blindly thought forgotten to bring
with me.
As l stepped out into the wintry
air and breasted the storm the sensa-
ton, instead of being unpleasant,
was rather eXhilarating | found in
u few moments, however, that the
sto-m was more severe than had i'm
agined, and my progress was very
difficult. 1t took me much longer
than l anticipated, so | was in u great
hurry.
lived in a long row Of houses, all
just alike. knew nothing of those
who lived upon either side, for was
away early in the morning, was gone
all day, and after got back at night
devoted myself to my pipe and books
very rarely going out again.
The storm seemed to have redoub-
led its fury as l went up the steps and
opened the door. l was almost blown
into the hall, and the door swung be-
hind NE with violence. All was dark,
but knew just where my valise was,
all ready. 50 [ crept up stairs eau
tiously to avoid further disturbance,
found my room door open and in the
corner where expected my valise.
Without an instant's delay Irushed
down stairs and was soon out in the
sleet. | was really exhausted
when | got to the station, and to add
to my trials | was just in time to see
the train slowly moving off.
After a sharp run | caught the last
recovered my breath as soon
rs could, put my valise into a rack
and settled myself for nap. When l
lwoke it was morning, and found
to my dismay that we were snow
bound and had made but little pro
yress on our way.
There was nothing to do, however,
but make the best OF it, | read
awhile, smoked awhile, even lent
them a hand in clearing the line, and
after other devices to kill time thought
would look over my business mat
ters. As took down my valise it felt
so light it attracted my attention at
once. so involuntarily looked it over
1t certainly appeared
right, and there were my initials, c.
S. R., in the proper place.
Something instinctively told me
had made mistake, and before open
ing tried to think how it happened.
| had taken it in the dark,
| recalled the stairway, the room at
the end Of the upper hall, the position
Of things as they appeared in what
little light there was and the valise
in the corner whence ! took it. There
could be no mistake, and yet this va
lise seemed only about half as heavy
as it ought to be-
1t may appear strange that had
not noticed it before, but in my hurry
TO the station doubt if should have
noticed it had it been empty.
To solve the mystery l opened IL
and the contents certainly were not
mine. Perhaps some ofthe fellows In
the house had played trick on me.
7 ,o,n5 coma toiIet articles. some ap-
pies, a book, and at the bottom roll
which appeared to be my papers, but
which proved to be lecture in manu-
script upon "Grecian Art" with the
name Chester Sylvanus Richardson
at the end. Who the dickens he was
remained a mystery, and how l came
by his valise still greater problem.