The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-05-24
IA LADY
l'l OF THE PURSE.

In an experience covering a period of
five years, a commercial traveller is
bound to witness numerous peculiar
and exciting incidents, if indeed, he
does not become entangled in some of
them. make this statement from per-
sonal knowledge, having passed half
a decade in disposing of a line of jew
elry and other goods for well-known
manufacturing firm.
steamed into Buffalo ait O'Clock
one delightful summer morning two
or three years ago, and succeeded in
putting in day, which, from busi-
ness point of view, was by no means
unsatisfactory to me. A safe-robbery
had been perpetralted during the night,
and, as the victim was q customer of
mine, 1 did not pay him visit. Il
understood his loss was a very heavy
one, and did not care to intrude on
him. 1 heard considerable about the
robbery, in one way and another. and
ascertained that the police were hard
at work on the case.
Trlfes light as air sometimes lead to
momentous results. That evening,
while strollng leisurely in the direction
lying on the sidewalk directly beforeI
me- 1 picked it up and continued my
stroll, but I had proceeded scarcely
half a block when L noticed young
and stylishly dressed lady slowly APP
preaching Her head was inclined for
ward and her eyes were riveted on the
pavement. Two thoughts passed
through my mind in an inStant-She |
was a handsome woman and the own
er of the lost purse.
Pardon me-" said l. raising my |
hat, "but may 1 ask If you have lost |
anything?"
A pair of dark eyes met mine for an
instant, and beheld In them look of
mingled surprise and expectancy.
Yes" came the reply in a low, me-
lodious voice, my purse; must have
dropped it a short distance up the
street. 1t was black"
"a description is not necessary"
Interrupted. 'I am very happy to be
able to return it to you" And I did
so as spoke.
Again those lustrous eyes looked
full into mine as she thanked me gra-
ciously. Then she walked away, leav-
ing me in as confused a state as if I
had just awakened from a dream.
The next morning arose early, and
before breakfast, glanced over the coll
umns of the morning paper. From
them 1 CLEANED the information that
the police were wholly in the dark
on the subject of the robbery, having
failed 20 make any headway whatever
in running the curprit to earth. This
was bad news for me; had no doubt
that the robbery cost me a valuable
sale. 1 determined to call upon my
customer and tender him my sympa-
thy. This was only proper under the
circumstances.
While at Breakfast my thoughts re-
turned 10 the incident of the day be-
fore. 1 was in happy frame of mind,
as 1 pondered over the circumstance,
and 1 felt in the humor for converse
tion. 1 glanced at my neighbor across
the table He was middle-aged man
with a thin, be-whiskered face. His
eyes were deep set, rowing and express
sionless. made a pleasant remark to
him, but he answered 1T ungraciously,
and soon after left the table.
Twenty minutes later, entering the
hotel office, was treated to a surprise
"Say, Hayward" said the clerk
what have you been up top
I looked up in astonishment, and he
continued:
THAT tall fellow with the black
beard asked me who you were. He sale
he came here to find a quiet retreat
that his wife was trying to get dl-
vorce from him, and had spies on his
track. He believes you are one O.
them-'a confounded, meddling, detee
tive he put it."
"He is an idiot" I retorted. II know
nothing of him or his affairs"
II don't think he is quite right my
SELF" conceded the clerk, and dis
missed the incident from my mind.
On Saturday evening 1 set out TO
nail, 10 cTSand tn /
Sabbath at that famous resort. hal
not been able to catch another glimpsf
of the lady of the purse, and feare'
1 might never see her again. l wa
more than half in love with the beau
tiful girl, and would not believe shc
had faded from my sight and life.
Just previous to my departure fof
Niagara, made inquiry Of the clerk
the black-bearded MIN
and found that he had left the hote
without taking the trouble to say good
bye to anyone. So there was the end
of him, 1 thought.
Among travelling men I think 1t Is
considered THAT Sunday is the dulles
day of the seven. With no business r
)ccupy the mind, a mans thoughts nat
uraIly turn to home scenes, and before
he is aware of it he becomes sad and
lonely. This was my case at Niagara
I had seen everything worth seeing; r
and was wishing myself a thousand t
miles away when, on entering the lit y
tie depot ait the top of the inclined rail
way, fate favored me. and I beheld
a sight which caused my heart to ,
give a great bound. Passing slowly
before an open window on the fartehr
side of the building was a figure h
could not mistake. All feeling Of lone
liness forsook me in an instant, for !
1 had found my lady of the lost purse.
She was alone, and determined to
come face 10 fa.oe with her. hoping she
v-a-.oe-ufsa