Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-11
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1 Iilo &bScaiIElaled Stranger. /
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES



ding was ut hand, and after IN All
sencc of two months / was going
home 10 enjoy II with my wife The
day before | started visited several
jcwelry stores In search OF II bciitting
aift and finally settled on cross Of
ten diamonds. for which paid 5000.
1t WAS an expensive present but in
The nine previous anniversaries all told
had not given my Ursula the value
OF Il hundred dollars in such offerings.
resolved Oh this occasion to give her
a treat.
put the cross in my pocket and,
taking up my suit ease. got into the
smoking compartment of II parlor car,
where transferred the gilt TO the
suit case. The train was barely start
cd when II gentleman entered, also
with Il suit case. which he put down
In corner. and took seat Then.
apparently Thinking 1t too far from
him. he got up and placed 1t on the
seat beside him. looked ut him some
what irritatcd, wondering il he thought
would steal his property.
Excuse me. sir he said. noticing
my expression. Il am very absent
minded. Unless l keep my hand on
my belongings am liable 10 so away
without them"
We fell into conversation. and l
found him very pleasant travelling
companion. he had II story for every
country In the world. His power of
description was marvellous. lie de
scribcd the battle of Las Guisamas IN
the late Cuban American wa- so vivid
~ that l seemed to have been there
myself. When | asked him In what
capacity lie was III Cuba. for lie made
10 mention Of himself In his descrlp-
lion. he tool; ont Il card ana banded
It to me. II bore the name OF I'm OIL
Ger of the volunteer service whose
name Remembered 10 have seen men
toned for conspicuous bravery after
this very battle.
We each had half days Journey
before US. which we spent getting bet
ter acquainted. At noon the ecntle-
man opened his suit case. from one
side removing nasli; then, after par
tally lifting the lid OF the other side
and taking Il peep within, lie slut The
case ami turned the key. taking care
that the case was locked. We drank
together from his flask. after which lie
put 1t in his pocket.
IL don't lille to open nly suit case
too often he said. Il have some val
liable property ia it, and since wound
in the head received while In Cuba
am liable 10 become confused. The
truth is | have no business TO he trav-
cling with valunblcs. would feel
easier il you would kindly keep an
eye on me when leave The train TO
see that have my case with me"
J answered the war Scared veteran
that | would gladly do so. Indeed.
there is no one that Will excite our
sympathy 80 much as man who suf-
fers for bravery In battle What a
pity that so delightful Il man should
have had his mental faculties impaired
in lie service Of his country.
Approaching IL station Just outside
the limits OF the city to which wc were
both going. the train stopped Sud
denly my friend jumped up, cxclaim-
ing. why, this is my stationr' and,
hurrielly grasping my hand. dashed out
of the car. lie had no sooner reached
the platform than | noticed that lie had
LETT his suit ease. WAS about TO seize
1t TO take 1t TO him when 1t occurred
20 me that in my haste | might get
hold Of the wrong case. had no mind
TO appropriate his valuahlcs, 80 l
bounded through the door in time TO
see him waiting deliberately away and
gave n sharp "iIlw lie turned and.
seeing re, came back.
When told him that lie had left his
treasure his face Mt once changed from
serenity 10 terror. Dnshing past me,
he rushed back into the car and in n
moment rcappcared with his hand bag
gage, and Mt that very moment the train
pulled out stood on the platform
waving 10 him. lie taking OF his hat
and shouting his thanks. | returned 10
my seat. feeling that satisfaction one
experiences ut having saved fellow
being from Il great loss. especially
delightful companion whose mental
breakdown has bcea brought about III
the service of bis country was so
filed With pleasant emotions that aid
not notice We wc.c even near the ter
minus till we rolled into the station.
When | got home and Ia my own
comfortable bedroom went to my
suit case. servant having brought it
up, To take out some linen. was as.
tonlshed to find that my key did not
fit the lock. turned Tie suit case
about, examining It on every side, and
soon saw that II was not mine.
Great heavens. rhc stranger had
taken my case instead OF his own.
What an unfortunate blrnderl Twas