The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-10
HER MISSING STEAMER TRUNK.

A New York Widow Who Started for Europe
without Even n Handkerchief.
Some of the persons who were on a North
River pier to watch the sailing Of a steamer q
few weeks ago saw q rather unusual scene.
Just as the ship was beginning to grind its way
along the pier q pretty woman leaned over the
deck rail and exclaimed In agonized tones to
her friends on shore. calling by name one Of the
men of the party:
My steamer trunk Is not aboard!'
CONSERVATION was visible on the faces OF
several Of the group. which was increased when
tho traveller called O second time:
Il haven't even q handkerchief with mel'
This remark was acted upon at once and @
dozen or more handkerchiefs rolled into balls
were aimed at the speaker on the ship. She
caught, while dismay and laughter struggled In
her countenance, all but two: these fell into the
water. Meantime. a parting word from the
shore was hurled after her that the matter
would be instantly looked into-all Of which
leads up to a little tale of woman's confidence
and mans fallibility.
The woman In question is a New York widow,
not so old as she will be some years hence. and
she had intrusted the details OF her departure
for a summer trip abroad to q grown son and O
near male relative. Between these her COM
fort. she was told, was to be assured to the last
degree. With sweet, womanly trust she be-
lieved them. On the day Of sailing a farewell
luncheon was given to her. at which a dozen
friends were present. To honor the occasion,
as 1t was a cool day In May. she wore a hand
some gown of silk and velvet, with a scrap Of q
dress bonnet that was certainly never intended
as a head covering for an ocean trip.
Now, as everybody knows, a steamer trunk
is simply a substitute on a large scale for the
handbag Of a land trim. In 1t Ia put everything
needed for the voyage. and the usual bag OF toll
let Is therefore dispensed with. The dis
covery at the last moment by this outgoing
traveller, who was taking the trip alone to Join
some friends on the other side. that her trunk
was not In the stateroom. partook therefore Of
the nature Of a catastrophe. 1t meant that she
and every requisite for personal comfort were
separated for a week.
When the group at the end Of the pier had be-
come an indistinguishable mass OF humanity
to her she sat down. overcome by the magni-
Eleven handkerchief. a velvet gown, and q
French bonnet for q trip to Europe" was her
exclamation to a sympathetic looking woman
Then. as she thought of the absent steamer
trunk. packed as 1t was not only with needed
quantities Of delicacies and l~uxuries. the gifts
Of thoughtful friends for weeks before her trip
tears OF, genuine vexation and annoyance trem-
bled IN her eyes. A number Of the passengers
promptly made to mitigate some Of It's horrors.
Several ladies assured her that they would 90
and lend her Just as much as possible. 4,
Scotch gentleman. returning to his Highland
home; e. &c S once sent 2 bundle !. Of rugs TO her.
This was the beginning Of the oblations of.
her predicament spread throughout the first
sSSipped WITH fR0s 4 varied pi But useful ses was Wardr rS5ay
skirts and shirt watsts galore, a %lounging robe.
q toilet Recossitties, down to cold dd'l Cream sn SS and
herr BY HiEhtiSi HsT inst letter ho@eS de-
They called me-, she wrote. 1.-THE patient
Iady, because made; apparently, the best q .
t%ulness pfmy fellow travellers, SC, well provided
brides, l had duplicates Of many useful articles.
The eleven handkerchieis served me well. ns
now each one n iauiindsTedd and ldeentifhendf E and en pat
N lts separate envelope to be returned TO you
THE cream Of the story remains to be told.
When the ship finally drew out. Of talking dis
tance the distraG;ted relatives and friends of,the
4, eaRerness, to redeem. their carelessness,
There was talk q GhertsFing q fast launch and
search Of the plef, revesisd that It was not there 3
teiiSpfh%oSnesT ySs kept raG BUSY H"S ca II ne t nE he up expr Tas
company, the steamship Office, and every pos
Nothing followed. and The friendhss c sIbfsaS To-
tie h hTSt point q which the vessel would touch
steamer, Neither Of the two men Responsible
for the disaster paid any attention to, his per-
SS 6 sid PH hS, that day: They spent it IN cabs
fused TO be, located. They never found that
trunk, but six days later a cable despatch from
other luggage was brought up from the hold.
With u carefully tlcketed for the same lnRoceS.
Alple place. was the lost steamer tfOnkI