The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-26
LEFT BY HOTEL GUESTS.
How the Big Houses Care for Lost and
Forgotten Articles

How the Big Houses care ior Lost ana
Forgotten Articles
Various railroads, big department stores
and other places where many persons are
in the habit of gata ering, maintain reg
ularIy established bureau for the care OF
LOST articles, but there is perhaps no place
in the world where such variety and
nun Der of articles are overlooked as in
the great hotels says the New York Trib-
une. The departing guest has habit OF
leaving behind him, in the hurry of pack
ing. a number of things OF no use to the
hotel, but frequently of great value to
him. All the big hotels keep place that
has been set aside for The classification of
articles left IN rooms and 1t is seldom that
anything lost IN MOTEL cannot be re-
claimed. Some of the articles lett behind
are frequently the cause OF mirth and
sometimes OF much heartburning.
One of the funniest and at the same
time serious cases OF oversight OF this
kind happened in Buffalo short time
ago. The loss was due to careless mother,
a maid that would obey orders even 1t
happened 10 break owners and husband
that was INCLINED to be dictatorlal. The
husband and wife, accom- anied by baby
about year cid and maid, came to the
hotel to remain for about week. When
they were going away the mother wished
to pay a farewell call TO certain friends
and left orders for the maid 10 bring the
baby to the train with her. A Jew
moments after the mother had gone out
the husband came in ana lold the mad to
go on an errand and then GO to che sta
ton, where he would meet her. The maid
protested: But madame said
Never mind what madame said" went
on the husband, in teSty manner. do
as l say and | will explain to madame. "
Then he went off and forgot all about the
matter. When the party gathered at the
train there was no baby to be found.
Mutual recriminations were in order, and
the husband, after much reflection, placed
his wife on the train and returned with
the maid to the hotel. The baby was
found sleeping peacefully in the crib.
When the husband and maid arrived In
New York the motHer greeted her wan
dering lamb tenderly, but the husband
was not in an amiable frame OF mind. In
this city the story leaked out, much to
the discontinue of the husband, ana he
mas been busy explaining ii ever since.
One of the most remarkable instances OF
lost and found took place at the Imperial
Hotel some time ago. There was woman
STAYING at the hotel whose husband was a
dealer in precious stones. She had
number OF unset gems OF unusual value
with her, and one evening in the red room
she exhibited them to number OF friends.
After the Jewels had been admired Tor
some time she carefully returned them to
the channels bag in which she carried
them. When she got to her room that
evening and looked them over diamond
OF several oarats and valued at ABOUT
$500 was found to be missing.
She at once gave notice and hurried
search was made, but the gem could not
be found. For several days every one in
the hotel was busy looking for the jewel,
but owing to the fact that it was unset
there was little hope of finding 1t. About
a week afterward a maid brought the
stone to the hotel Office and said that she
had found it down between the carpet
and the rug. II nad evidently rolled out
OF the woman's lap and found that snug
hiding place. The owner was only too
glad to get it back, and the maid now
wears a new black silk dress when she
goes out on Sunday.
Canes, um brelas, soiled cloths, gloves,
tooth brushes, scarfpins, Gulf buttons, col
lar buttons, clothes brushes and other
things of such personal nature are the
most frequently forgotten, and it is the
opinion OF the average hotel clerk
that more writing and telegraphing are
done over toothbrush or shoehorn
than about gold watch or diamond stud.
Numerous things are also LETT in the store
room where trunks and valises are
checked. These are often left for months
with nothing to identity them but the
little brass tag which is duplicate
OF the one given the owner, although
trunks and vaises are more usually me-
mentos of unpaid bills. The theatrical
guests have habit of leaving paints, pots
of grease, wigs, padding and all other
things that go 10 make up good appear
ance for the stage. Wigs are most fire.
quently left, and good story Is told about
a wig that was overlooked in one OF the
New York hotels.