The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-27
HER MISSING STEAMER TRUNK
New York Widow Started for Europe
Without Even a Handkerchief

New York Widow Started for Europe
Without Even a Handkerchief
Some of the persons who were on
North river pier to watch the sailing OF
a steamer few weeks ago saw rather
unusual scene. Just as the ship was be-
ginning to grind its way along the pier
a pretty woman leaned over the 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 in
creased when the traveller called sec
ond time:
Il haven't even a 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 parting word from the shore
was hurled after her that the matter
would be instantly looked into-all of
which leads up to little tale of woman's
confidence and mans fallibility.
The woman in question is 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 a grown son and a near
male relative. Between these her COM
fort, she was told, was to be assured to
the last degree. With sweet, womanly
trust she believed them. On the day of
sailing farewell luncheon was given to
her, at which dozen friends were pres
ent To honor the occasion, as it was a
cool day in May, she wore handsome
gown Of silk and velvet, with scrap of
a dress bonnet that was certainly never
intended as head covering for an ocean
trip.
Now, as everybody knows, steamer
trunk Is simply substitute on a large
scale for the handbag of a land trip. In
it Is put everything needed for the voy-
age, and the usual bag of toilet articles
Is therefore dispensed with. The discov-
cry 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 her stateroom,
partook therefore of the nature of a cat
astrophe. It meant that she and
every requisite for personal comfort
were separated for a week. When the
group at the end of the pier had become
an indistingushable mass of humanity
to her she sat down, overcome by the
magnitude of her misfortune. Eleven
handkerchief, a velvet gown, and a
French bonnet for trip to Europe" was
her exclamation to a sympathetic look
ing woman who stood near her. Then,
as she thought of the absent steamer
trunk, packed as 1t was not only with
need belongings Of every sort, but hold
ing as we'll quantities of delicacies and
luxuries. the gifts Of thoughtful friends
for weeks before her trip--as all this
came over her 1t is small wonder that
tears of genuine vexation and annoyance
trembled In her eyes. A number of the
passengers had taken in the situation
and an attempt was promptly made to
mitigate some of it's horrors. Several
ladies assured her that they would go
below at once, take stock of their belong
ings, and lend her Just as much as posi-
BILE. A Scotch gentleman, returning to
his Highland home, at once sent bundle
of rugs to her, saying he had duplicates
age. This was the beginning of the OBJ
lations offered at helpless beauty
shrine. The news of her predicament
spread throughout the first cabin, and
all day long parcels We're left at her
stateroom door. BY night she was fully
equipped with varied but useful ward
robe. Skirts and shirt waists galore, a
lounging robe, soft caps and hats for the
deck, wells, all sorts of toilet necessities.
down to cold cream and face powder, and
best of all. curling tongs We're hers by
nightfall. Her first letter home describes
this assisted voyage.
They called me-" she wrote, "the pa
tient lady because / made, apparently,
the best of bad fix. In point of fact, l
was not permitted TO miss my own be-
longings at all. The thoughtfulness Of
my fellow-travelers so well provided me
with every comfort that. like the June
brides, had duplicates of many useful
articles The eleven dandkerchiefs
served me well, as they could be fire.
quently renewed. l have them now,
each one Numbered and identified and
put in its separate envelope,( to be re-
turned to you all when am back In the
autumn" >,
The cream Of the story remains to be
told. When the ship finally drew out of
talking distance the distracted relatives
and friends of the European traveller
scrambled over themselves in eagerness
to redeem their carelessness. There
was talk of chartering fast launch and
trying to overtake the ship at Sandy
Hook, but the first thing to do was to find
the trunk A search of the pier revealed
that 1t was not there and the launch
idea had to be given up. The telephone
was kept busy calling up the express
company, the steamship office and every
possible point to locate the missing lug
gage. Nothing followed and the friends