The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-14
A LITTLE SURPRISE.

had been married just twclvcmonth,
and rs l believed l had got tho very dear
est little woman in the world for my wife.
Tho year Just concluded had in consc-
qucncc been the happicst of my existence.
and resolved to make my partner u little
present i'll remembrance of the event which
had made us one for life. AS l know how
much more delightful Il gift becomes when
it is unexpected, l said nothing to my
wife of my intentions, wishing to take her
quito by surprise. The accompanying mar
rativc will, / think, show how completely
l succeeded in that cndcavor.
My business lay in tho city, whittier it
was my custom to travel every morning
from tho quiet of n littlo suburban resi-
dcncc, returning home in time for n cozy
dinner in the early evening. 1t was my in
variable practice to carry with mo II small
Gladstone bag, and on tho day in qucs-
ton, after placing into this, along with a
few other things, the articles l CAD pur-
chased for the purpose named, and which
consisted of gold bangle, pendant for
the neck, with ruby star attached, and n
small diamond brooch, took tho train at
Cannon street i'll tho very lightcst of spirits
on my journey home.
Seating myself in the corner of tho first
class carriage in which 1 rode, with my
bag in hand, | was for time the only oc-
cupant OF tho compartment, but as the
train was on tho point of starting l was
joined ny person Of very gcntlcmanly ex-
terror, faultlcSsly dressed, who stepped in
to tho carriage with an air of some con-
corn. Like myself, he carried q bag-a
circumstance not ut all striking in itself,
but noticeable on this occasion by the So.
licitudo which it seemed to cause its own
CT who, seating himself opposite TO me,
first put the thing under the seat. then by
his side and finally elected to carry it as
was doing mine.
Ii was not long before wo were in con-
vcrsation. The season of tho year was latc
summer, and tho subject naturally sug-
costing itself was that of holiday making.
My companion had evidently travelled u
great deal, for he discourscd flucntly Of
Journcyings on the continent, comprising
adventures i'll the Alps, trips up the Rhine
and excursions into Italy He told of the
beauties of the Riviera, the delights of Ba-
den and tho glorics of Berlin and waxcd
enthusiastic over the charms of continental
women, the fair girls of France and tho
dark beauties of Italy.
But after all there are 10 women like
tho English" concluded my companion.
moro quietly. They may lag behind the
continental girls in he matter of personal
beauty; but, depend upon it, they make
up for it in al other QunIitcs''
This WAS quite in accordance with nv
tastes, for my little wife at home was. |
am proud to say, an English girl, and fully
horc out his estimate. warmed to my
companion N once on his saving this, and
II WAS not long before had Informed him
II good deal about my private life; draw
ing u glowing picture of my country home
and the little genius who, like an angel
presided over il. He appeared so interested
that even went Il step farther in he light
ness of my heart and told him not only
that this was tho anniversary of my we'd
ding day, but that YVES intending to sur
prise my wife on my return horne with %
little unexpected present. In exchange for
this frankncss my companion also became
You'd hardly think, he said speak
ing in II low voice as he leaned over toward
me, "that this bag which | hold in my
hand contains jcwclry worth close on 60
600, would you? All, you look surprised!
And yet II weighs but very little. TRY itr
placed NY Own bag on the scat beside
mo in order to take the one he offered me.
Jewels are not necessarily heavy ari-
clcs,' said, balancing the bag critically.
which seemed no heavier than my own.
g But | added, smiling, whilc n nuttcr
passed through my frame at holding in NV
hands so much wealth, lit is nonc too
wise To trust II stranger with so precious
an article as this. is it,"
''Oh, have no fear of yot," he replied.
with charming candor II think | know
Z rogue when | SEQ one. In my limo of
business l have occasion 10 mix with all
sorts of people, and nearly II lifetime of OK
poricncc has given mo IL sufficient insight
into the characters of men to he able al
most To judge them ut "a glance"
Wondering who my companion could he.
but convinced in my own mind that he
WAS some one of Importance and flattorcd
by his confidence, | handed him
back the bag, which he placed on tho seat
beside mine and Immediately started nm.
other run of entertaining conversation.
Considerably TO my regret. this was inter
ruptcd by the train pulling up at II station.
'Ah, here Is my destination, said tho
stranger, rising AT once and taking up his
bag. Good afternoon! l hope YOU will
allow me To wish you many happy returns
Of tho day!'
In another moment lie WAS gone. and |
Iolt quite sorry to lose the cOmpunionship
Of so interesting u fellow traveller. Friend
ships arc often formed nj first sight. and
had this man remained in my company
much longer l felt convinced il would
havo resulted In my contractinga new one.
How delightful it would have been. I
thought, to ask him TO make one of orr
little dinner party that evening. What "a
charm would his interesting conversation
provo 10 my Wife, whose knowledge of tho
world, like my own, was unfortunately
not based on u very extensive personal ex-