The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-19
PRESENTS GONE.

IL was an exciting season Harold Van
4 Dussan had come from the east-to recruit
his health, he said, though he appeared
to be an athlete. Mrs. Gusher had taken
I him M and ne was invited everywhere.
Hymen and Cupid seemed to have en-
tered into q conspiracy to rob ali eligible
I young ladies Of the felicity Of single bless
edness. Perhaps it was example Miss
I Dusseudorf was launched SO beautifully
upOn the sea OF Enatrim0ny that Miss Cor
don followed suit. Miss Gordon looked SO
sweet and pretty as she came down the
aisle that straightway Miss Fowler deter
mined to look sw6etsr and prettler, know
ing that nature had been generous to her
in the matter Of personal attractions. And
80 it went. All the young ladies appeared
absolutely bent upon getting married,
and, this being the case it is needless to
say they were not baked In their inclina-
tions Such was tho ferment when Harold
augmented the population Of the place by
one.
It happened that Mrs. Gusher asked
Harold one evening il he were going to the
wedding Of Miss Aston.
ITO tell the truth, - he replied, 81 am
not"
"And why nots It win be one Of the
affairs of the season
"WeII. you see, Mrs. Gusher, have not
been here long enough 60 get we'll &C
quainted. I"
'sPshawI III get you an invitation.
There, don't demonstrate. The more peO-
pie they get the better they'll like it. They
want a smashing big wedding. They Il
thank me for bringing one more. There,
don't refuse. It's all settled
"If you want it that way" he laughed.
YES It's going to be one Of these os-
teutatious, vulgar weddings, and all the
presents Will be displayed as if they were
in a shop window"
Are the presents handsome?" asked
Harold thoughtfully.
VERY handsome, loud and expensive"
Diamond brooches and all that sort Of
yes. Papa's making big spIurge over
the affair."
The wedding came of about as Mrs.
Gusher said it would There were crush,
the ''Lohengrin' wedding march, q too
bountiful repast and wedding presents ga
lore Harold was especially interested ia
the presents, admiring them greatly and
commenting upon them, notably the dia-
Hnond ornaments, with q familiarity for
precious stones that raised him in the es-
timation Of his friend Mrs. Gusher. But
finally it was all over, the bride and groom
had departed for regions unknown, and
the last guest had gone. Tho triumphs OF
the event were duly set forth by The Town
Trumpet, the enterprising daily paper.
But in another part OF the paper appeared
a sensational announcement in connection
with the event
sit is the disagreeable duty of the editor
to state that last night over So, 600 worth
of diamonds were stolen at the wedding.
Our coincidence to tho bride, whose happi-
ness should thus be marredl There is no
clev to the mean and contemplate Perpe-
traitors. The Trumpet viii investigate
further, and, with customary enterprise,
Will not rest until the guilty person OF
persons are brought to justice.
When Mrs Gusher met Harold that
young man said.
Did you see The Trumpet9''
g Yes, indeed Well, that comes from
SO much ostentation and display. If peo-
PIE viii show everything they possess, they
must expect to have some things stolen.
Harold began to be much in demand at
weddings His services as usher were de-
mandod even, and he ever comported him
self to the satisfaction of the interested
persons. The robbery of the diamonds
was not the only theft Of the season. Even
silverware disappeared at weddings in
most mysterious manner. Whoever the
thief was, he was most adroit- Tbs Town
Trumpet Numbered away, denounoing
these actions, but the presents kept right
on vanishing. Detectives were sent for,
but they accomplished nothing.
''Who do you think it can be, Mr. Van
Dussan2' asked Mrs. Gusher when The
Trumpet announced the disappearance Of
a pair of candeIabra and dozen spoons
the night before.
81 have a theory, Mrs. Gusher"
HDear me, what is it2''
s'-he servants, + he said in mysterious
whisper.
"How can that be? If it had happened
only at one place.
'tThey arc leagusd together"
Goodness graciousl'
sThcre's q band Of them. A regular
rogues' organization. Now that's my theo-
~. What dc you think Of it?'
I'm sure it's very plausible"
"But don't breathe a word. It wouldn't
do TO let it get out just yet"
"Of course n0tt'
Three months passed and the wedding
season was over Harold appeared to have
recovered his health for The Town Trum-
pet in its social items announced that he
was soon to depart. He was to return to
his homo in the east, where he would re-
sumo his extensive operations on Wall
street. The night before he left he was
dined and wined at the club COmpli-
Hnentary speeches were made which he re-
turned ia kind in his happy, agreeable
way. 80 spoke about the beauties of the
town, the enterprise of the citizens and
the charms of its women de foretold the
future of the place. asserting that it would
be a. second Chicago, and when the party
broke up about daybreak every one Joined
in the chorus. For He's a Jolly Good
Fellow"
When the expressman called for Harold's
trunk, be was given Instructions TO handle
i5 with care, as it contained valuable brio
a. brac. At noon the train left and Harold
waved lhs handkerchief from the window
to his friends on the platform and was
soon whirIad out of sight Then be lighted
a cigar. settled back comfortably and said
TO himself. IS A good seasons work Worth
at least SO, COO Hope they'll break up the
Associated Servants League Of Wedding
Presents Robbers. Ha, hat' But later on
his glee was brought to an abrupt end.