The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-04-26
ALL IN HER TRUNK.
And So 1t Was the Company Settled the
Claim.

A merchant was suing the Burlins-
ton Railroad for 4 car of household
goods said to have been destroyed by
water and fire ut Kansas City during
the food Of 1903. while the car was
en- route from TeHarkana to Macon.
Among the property lost was a trunk
belonging to the plaintiffs daughter,
Miss Mercedes -. Her fathers law
yers thought it we'll to put Miss Mer-
cedes on the stand to prove the value
of the particular article. The witness
was about eighteen. IN her innocent
brown eyes no hint of humor lurSed
and the wavy chestnut hair rolled back
from a smooth forehead that invited
trust and confidence. After she had
testified in chief that her trunk con-
tanned "some skirts and things" and
that they were worth from $50 to $40.
the lawyer turned to the roads counsel
and said:
"You may inquire"
The general attorney for the road.
Colonel N. O. Borders, indicated to his
associate. q young man from a neigh
boring town, that he might tackle the
cross-examination. This barrister hap
pened to be detail man." and was
inspired with the commendable spirit
of finding out things. He believed In
getting at the facts. Angels might
have deliberated before venturing upon
the sacred territory ahead of him, but
he didn't.
"You said your trunk contained
some skirts and things" began the
young man; what did you mean by
that, Miss Mcrcedes:"
She turned and looked him frankly
in the eye.
do you want to know what was in
nv trunk" she asked.
"Well, yes; think we're entitled to
know what we're asked to pay for" re-
turned the lawyer Importantly.
Colonel Borders smiled as his young
disciple touched off the fuse and moved
his chair out Of range.
"Well. let me see," began the brown
eyed maiden. as she began counting on
her fingers: in the bottom there were
six Japanese kimonos. two pair Of bed
room slippers, embroidered; one dozen
pair of fancy drop stitch hose. pair
pink satin slippers, one white chiffon
automobile veil, one box face vNls, one
Empire coat, trimmed in Chantllly
lace; one Marie Antoinette gown OF
pearl gray crepe de chine and
"Just q minute" said the examiner
nervously; II am not asking you to
name all the family's clothes. Just
state what was in your trunk"
"Why. all those were in my trunk"
"Oh!"
eyes, and there was handsome lace
bolero with short sleeves
"A-a-what:' gasped the detail man.
"a lace bolero.'
"You mean a bolo:"
"No don't"
"Well. proceed"
"Where was I:'
"You said something about glass
bolo without sleeves
"Oh, yes. A handsome lace bolero
with short sleeves, a red and White
foulard, four pair suede gloves, six
pairs Sea Island cotton stockings, en-
broidered-'
"Beg pardon. Didn't you mention
them before:"
"No, sir. said one dozen pair drop
stitch"
as thera much more"
"Not in the bottom. There were six
silk pettcoats. two Berise sunshades,
one black velvet toque. a brand-new
Silversteir evening wrap. one lace
scarf. one pair leather gauntlets,
white organdy over pink
"Where did that go:'
ut went with the trunk. A white
organdy over pink silk, lace gown,
princess STYLE
"Aliss Mercedes?'
Eyes, sir
care you only asking SIS for all
that"
"Why. that isn't all. There was
compartment tray above and drawer
containing a cut glass puff box. silver
hairbrush and comb, pair curling irons,
alcohol lamp. box monogram paper.
sealing wax and die. q necklace. OF
Venetian beads. imperial style; bottle
of theatre rogue-why. what a funny
man. He said he wanted to know
what was in my trunk"
The last observation was caused by
the retreat of the cross-exaniner.
Then Colonel Borders came forward
and dictated this to the official STEM
ographer:
1T is admitted by the defendant rail-
road that the contents of Miss Mer-
cedes' trunk were worth SI5. the
amount claimed" Then lie turned and
bowed deferentially to the witness.
"You are excused, Miss Mercedes.
he said.-Macon (Mo) Republican.
Young John Rockefeller comes to the
front with the novel observation that
H. II, ,s~ fvH