Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-12-03
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solved to make my partner little
present In remcm brance OF the event
which had made US one fer life. As
know how much more delightful gilt
becomes when it is unexpected, said
nothing to my wife Of my intentions,
wishing to take her quito by surprise.
Tho accompanying narrative will,
think, show how completely l sue
cceded in that endcavor.
My business lay in the city, whittier
1t was my custom to travel every morn
ing from the quiet of little suburban
residence, returning home in time for
coy dinner in the early evening. It
was my invariable practice to carry
with ms small Gladstone bag, and on
the day in question, after placing into
this, along with a few other things,
the articles l had purchased for the
purpose named, and which consisted Of
gold bangle, pendant for the neck
with ruby star attached, and small
diamond brooch, l took train at Cannon
sire ct in the very lightest of spirits on
my journey home.
Seating myself in the corner of the
first-class carriage in which rode,
with my bag in hand, was for time
the only occupant Of the compartment,
but as the train was on the point Of
starting was joined by person of
very gentlemanly exterior, faultlessly
dressed, who stepped into the carriage
with an air of some concern. Like N.Y.
self, he carried bag-a circumstance
not at all striking in itself, but notice.
able on this occasion by the solicitude
which it seemed to cause its owner,
who, seating himself opposite to me,
first put the thing under the seat, then
by his side, and finally elected to carry
1t as was doing mine.
1t was not long before we were in
conversation. The season of the
! year was late summer, and the sub
ject that naturally suggested itself
was that of holiday-mal.ing. My
companion had evidently travelled
a great deal, for he discoursed
fuently of journeyinSs on the conti-
nent, comprising adventures in the
Alps, trips up the Rhine, and excur-
| sions into Italy. lie told of the beau
ties of tho Riviera, the delights of
Ba'len, and the glories of Berlin, and
waxed enthusiastic over the charms of
| continental women, the fair girls OF
4 France, and the dark beauties of Italy.
"Dut, after all, there arc no women
like the English" concluded my COM
panion, more quietly; they may lag
behind the continental girls in the
matter of personal beauty, but depend
upon it they make up for it in all other
! qualities"
This was quite III accordance with
my tastes, for my little wife at home
was, am proud to say, IN English
girl, and fully bore out his estimate.
waSmed to my companion ut once on
his saying this. and it was not long be-
fore had informed him a good deal
about my private life; drawing glow.
ing picture of my country home, and
the little genius who, like an angel,
presided over it. lie appeared SO in.
tcrested that l even went a step far.
Their in the lightness Of my heart, and
told him not only that this was the
anniversary of my wedding day, but
that was intending to surprise my
wife on my return home with a little
unexpected present. In exchange for
this franllness my companion also be.
came confidential.
You'd hardly think, he said, speak
ing in a low voice as he leaned owe,
toward me, that this bag which ]
hold in my hand contains jewelry
worth close on to ten thousand pounds
sterling, would you? All, you lool,
surprised! And yet it weighs but very
little Try It'll"
Jewels are not necessarily heavy
articles" said, balancing the bag
critically, which seemed no heavier
than my own. But" l added, smil
ing, while a flutter passed through my
frame at holding in my hands sc
much wealth, sit is none too wise tc
trust stranger with SO precious ar
article as this, is it2"
"Oh, have no fear of you," he re-
piled, with charming candor. 81
think l know rogue when see one
In my line of business have occasion
to mix with all sorts of people, and
nearly lifetime of experience ha.
given me sufficient insight into the
characters of men to be able almost t.
judge them at glance"
Wondering who my companion could
be, but convinced in my own mind thai
he was some one of Importance, and
battered somewhat by his confidence,
handed him back the bag, which h,
placed on the scat beside mine, and i'm
mediately started another run of en-
PERTAINING conversation. Considerably
to my regret, this was interrupted by
the train pulling into the station.
"Ah, here Is my destination" sale
the stranger, rising at once and taking
up his bag. Good afternoon! hope
you will allow me to wish you man,
happy returns of the day!"
In another moment he was gone, ant
l felt quite sorry to lose the compan
ionship of 80 interesting fellow.trav.
eler. Friendships are often formed a,
first sight. and had this man remained
in my company much long er felt con
WINGED it would have resulted in my
contracting new one. How delight
full it would have been, thought, t.
ask him to make one of our llttle din
ner-party that evening. What charm
would his interesting conversation
prove to my wife, whose knowledge o
the world, like my own, was unfortu
nately not based OF very extensiv,
personal experience. With an indis
tinct intention Of acting upon THU
half-formed idea rose from my sea
and pcered through the carriage door
but the man had gono out of sight
and I sat down again with feelin,