The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-07
TALE OF TWO DouBLOoNs.
Cireumstantial Evidence Not Al
why's Safe

From the Kansas City Journal
The most embarrassing situation was
ever placed in was. I think. when visit
ing my parents in Munich during my So
journ in Europe. in 1852" said Col. George
CASTOR the other day. Il was sitting
with my father and a number of others.
discussing one thing and another in a
pleasant way over suitable refreshments
for such an occasion and according to the
money was preached. There was in the
party an aged gentleman who wore sus-
pended from his watch-guard a gold
piece. a Spanish doubloon, upon which
had been soldered a small ring. He DIS
connected il from the chain and passed
II around for inspection with considerable
apparent pride, commenting upon the rare
ity Of the piece.
Now, it happened that I was in pos
session OF a pendant of identically the
same kind. which had been given me by
Mr.. William Mulkey of Kansas City. The
courtesy due to an elder. which is strict
ly observed among well bred people. par
ticularly noticeable in that part of Eu-
rope, suggested that l should say nothing
about my possession, and to make It
doubly sure that he should retain the I'M
disputed ownership of a genuine curios-
ity, l quietly removed my own doubloon
and put il into my pocket.
THE conversation went on, and after
time the old gentleman began fumbling
about his pockets, searching the table
and looking from one to another OF the
party with panied expression on his face.
His doubloon was missing. Everybody
at once took hand in the search, but It
could not be found.
Let everybody be searched blurted
out younger member of the party, who
was apparently fearful lest he himself
might be suspected of secreting the Curl
osity. And begin on this side of the table
and go round he continued, putting a
hand carelessly on my arm.
Il realized at once that I was in a
trying position. You can readily see Tor
what reason MetaphOrically l sweat
drops of blood. 1t would not do that my
own doubloon should be brought TO light
now, so, Strengthening myself up, a.
sumed look of stern determination and
said:
Gentlemen, / sincerely regret the ne
costly of interposing an objection to that
which may be a custom among gentlemen
here; but am an American and cannot
submit to such an indignity at a place
where 1 am guest
MY old father looked at me with an ex-
preston of mingled pain and astonish-
ment.
MY son." said he, would you
Pardon me, father l interrupted;
there can be no discussion Of the matter
so far as / am concerned And l imme-
diately retired from the circle, while con-
sternation was undisguised on the face Of
every one present. I went straight home
realizing that l had made a doubtful sue
cess Of my ruse, but unable to see what
other course l could have taken I had
scarcely seated myself, however, humili-
ated over the very peculiar chain of cir
cumstances which had brought about my
embarrassment, when two members of the
party dashed up in a carriage and begged
me to retreat with them at once, informing
me that the missing charm had been found
on the tray which had been taken from
the table by one of the walters. OF course
1 went with them, and perhaps you can
imagine how greatly was relieved by the
outcome of the affair.
H"There was multitude of apologies from
all, but none more profuse than from the
excitable individual who had suggested
the search, and he was made to feel that
he had committed an affront TO everybody
else al the table. as well as to myself.
81 was not willing to leave them in the
false impression that my extremely digni-
fed course was altogether due to a sense
of chivalric honor, so, asking the old gen.
tleman to allow me to see the recovered
gold piece, l took my own doubloon from
my pocket and made full explanation of
the circumstance that prompted me to OBJ
ject to the hasty proposition that came
from the rather excitable young man of the
party. And perhaps you can imagine the
sense of relief which experienced"