The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-04
L CASE OF POETIC JUSTICE.
A WILLIAMSBURG clearinghouse Keeper IN
consciously Gets the Best OF an Oily swtudler

A VymiomsburE Bearding.Hous Keeper IN.
consciously Gets the Best OF an Oily swtndier.
Over in Williamsburg they don't keep very
close track of current events, and probably
that's the reason that old Mrs. Plant, who
keeps a boarding house for sailor men. had
never heard of the trunk game and wasn't
a bit suspicious when a tall, good-looking and
intelligent man engaged a room ono morning
last week and said his trunk would be up in
the afternoon. He said his namo was Rinaldo
and that he was first mate of a coaster just in
from a South American port. He regretted
that he couldn't make any payment in advance,
because the crew wouldn't be paid off till the
vessel had discharged her cargo. Mrs. Plant
wouldn't think OF asking such a handsome
gentleman to make n deposit and would look
out for his trunk. RinRldo went off Ito SEQ to
the unloading" and when he got back that
night he was apparently dismayed to find that
his trunk hadn't arrived. He was installed in
the best room rs the star boarder. and his first
inquiry in the morning was about his trunk.
1t hadn't come, and Rinaldo went away looking
came back that night, and he didn't inquire
for the trunk. He was reticent, and Mrs.
PLANT was A. c9 easy staaes Ebe so eIiaitsa f Sn his b sG,
the information that his trunk was being held
back at the ship. 49,.
and settle down here on land. He got mad and
s mom,hs! ne yoy wg"idh He p %snt @i 81 g, to oo release @y tho tSe
trunk, but, Of course, didn't have III III see
a few days, but hate to keep you waiting for
| your board money"
Mrs. Plants motherly heart was moved by
this tale of woo. With a good deal Of delicacy
| she offered to advance the s. demanded by the
obdurate Captain. Rinaldo couldn't think Of
II, but she insisted. and finally, with apparent
| reluctance, he took the money.
You must have some security, though" he
said. Here, take my watch. 1t isn't worth
much, but my mother gave 1t to me, and I
wouldn't part with 1t for the world"
Rinaldo wiped a tear from his eye. unhitched
the log chain, dangling with sea beans, by which
the watch was attached to his waistcoat, and
forced IL into Mrs. Plants unwilling hand. The
sailor went out, and when Mrs. Plants son
came homo he found tho watch on her bureau.
Where dye get this, mai" he inquired. Mrs.
Plant explained. ,,
why, there amt any works into I'll" he ex-
claimed, after inserting the blade OF his pocket
knife and forcing the case open. you've been
done. That's a cinch.'
Rinaldo never came back. and for two days
Mrs. Plant mourned her loss. Now, Mrs. Plant
is the Treasurer of an Anticipated Spinsters'
Eleemosynary Society, or something Ike that.
and sometimes the collections turn out some
queer things. The second day after Rinaldo's
preparatory to making a report.
Land sakes!" she exclaimed suddenly.
where's that counterfeit flve-dollar billf"
Then she stopped and reflected. Presently
she sat down, smoOthed out tho folds of her
dress, and smiled placidly.
'"The Lord takes care Of His own," she ro'
marked softly. II hope he got his trunk"