The Portland daily press., 1895-04-15
A LOANED LATCHKEY.

1t is impossible to adequately describe
the effect produced by this startling con-
fession. A sudden and deathlike silence
fell upon the company. Each and all
stared at tho speaker in undisguised as
tonishmcnt and expectancy.
Robert Clyde was one of the most prom
inent townsmen in tho extensive and i'm
portant borough Of Daggerfield. Yet he
had not been Is years in the town. He
had come among them a complete stran-
ger, but by dint of unfagging industry,
allied with sturdy, infexible principle,
he had pushed his way upward into po-
sition of wealth and influence.
Well, gentlemen, y continued Clyde as
soon as the company had recovered from
the shock, this is my story
. II had just entered my teens when my
father died-my mother had been dead for
some years-leaving behind him trifle
over e200, little enough for friendless
lad to have to face the world with. had
neither trade nor profession, but after a
good deal Of trouble F4scceeded in obtain
ing situation as pol.ser to large and
fashionable draper. | placed my fathers
legacy in the bank, thoroughly deter
mined never to touch it until absolutely
compelled. / was robust, steady, hopeful
and by sheer hard work, coupled with the
strictest economy, managed to live in
some degree of comfort and responsibility.
After awhile, however, grew restless and
unhappy. l felt within me an irresistible
impulse to rise to something higher and
better than the daily drudgery to which
my employment subjected me.
About this time an emigration agent
came to Danesleigh, my birthplac ace, gen
tlemen, and in glowing colors painted the
splendid prospects which awaited the en-
terprising emigrant.'
just the thing for me, said to my
self at tho close Of the lecture. Here am,
young, energetic industrious, peggine
away without the faintest hope of better
ing myself. There's no mortal tie to bind
me to the old country and it's morally
certain that there won't be the keen, saw
age, selfish struggle for existence out in
the far, unpopulated west that theresis in
England. At any rate, I'll make bold
bid for fortune
"This resolution I quickly carried into
effect, and drawing all the money I pos
sessed out of the bank got together
small outfit, and burning with high
hopes sailed for the land of the stars and
stripes
Concerning my life there will say
nothing. My expectations were not real
lied, and, bitterly disappointed, I return
ed, after few years. ABSENCE all but pen
niless to England.
How l managed to exist during the
first few months after my return do not
know.
''At length, after many weary tramps
and much privation, I obtained post at.
a boot depot in Redgarth, small town in
the extreme south. Ny work was neither
very light nor very remunerative, but /
was glad enough of it.
''By strange and-for me-unfortu-
nate coincidence the very next week after
my arrival tho first of series of startling
and impudent burglaries took place. A
shop was broken into and ransacked.
Then, in rapid succession, no fewer than
four other burglaries were effected. The
gentry and tradespeople of Redgarth and
its immediate ghborhood became great
ly excited and alarmed. The police redou-
bled their vigilance, new locks and bolts
were fitted on to the doors, but every pre-
caution seemed futile.
''Well, gentlemen, it was my fate-and
a cruel one, tt,o--to become entangled in
those burglaries. Talk about narrow
squeak No one was ever nearer to ire
trieVab1e ruin than [ was at that time.
ut was my practice after business hours
to take quiet stroll down the Maldon
road. One eventful night, in accordance
with this habit, I was walking leisurely
along, when q young fellow suddenly
darted out from the doorway of large,
substantially built house.
" You don't happen to have such
thing as a latchkey about you, do your he
asked abruptly.
II stared at tlt speaker in amazemcnt.
The request was an unusual one, to say
the least.
. 1 know it's funny question to ask,
he continued, noticing my hesitation and
attributing it to the right cause but the
fact is I've locked myself out of my own
house. I was writing letter in the H.
brary when somebody pulled the bell /
am alone in the house and had TIC answer
the ring myself, but there was no one at
the door, and 1 stopped out to see if there
was any ono about. In my hurry I forgot
all about the latch and pulled the door be-
hind me- thus unwittingy locking myself
cut in the street.
sened?' L asked.
"' No fear of that, he replied, laughing
These wretched burglaries have settled
nll that sort of thing. My only hope is to
borrow a key, on the off chance that it
may fit the lock-
II had q bunch of keys in my pocket
not that they were of much use to me, but
from the time of my fathers death had
kept them in my possession-and among
them was the latchkey which opened the
front door of the house where was lodg-
ing.
:" I am afraid it won't be of much
use, said, singing out the key and
handing the bunch to the unfortunate
man You are at liberty to try it, but
''Ah! this will do very well. See,' he
exclaimed, and sure enough the lock
clicked, and the door opened
Thanks, very much, he said warmly.
Here are your but before he had fig
ished the s@atence the keys dropped out of
his hand and fell with jingle upon tbs
pavement. He struck match and began
to search for them In the dim light I