Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-03
Ths Story Teller.
TWO BLACK BAGS.
A jewelers. Story.
I.-My Journey.

I.-My Journey.
It was on the 29th Of October. 1863
that | was returning to England, hav-
ing taken the steamer at Dublin for
Holyhead. Business had taken me to
Ireland-I am a jeweler-and 1t had
been necessary FOR me to visit
branch of my own firm in Dublin.
was bringing back certain valuable
Jewels which required resetting-dia-
monds of great value, and some other
things of less Importance, but still
valuable.
I found all the passengers talking
on one subject-the terrible and ap-
palling wreck which had occurred only
three days before, off Moelfra, on the
Anglesea coast. No less than four
hundred and forty-six lives were lost
that night when the Royal Charter
was totally wrecked. She was screw
steamer, commanded by Captain Tay-
lor. A large sum OF money! 100000
or e 100000 in gold-was lost, 1t was
supposed; but I have since heard that
some of the gold has been recovered.
I am a silent man habitually, and the
awe in the voices Of my fellow-pas-
sensers struck me forcibly; but I had
another reason, as will presently ap-
pear, in remembering my journey
from Dublin to London on this occa-
sion.
I carried the Jewels which I have al
ready mentioned in a small black
hand-bag and so long as knew that
1t was safe, was free from care. Ar
irving at Holyhead, took my seat In
an empty first-class railway carriage.
Just as the train was moving off, how
ever, a gentleman suddenly got In.
He sat down nearly opposite me, so
had q good opportunity Of observing
his appearance. noticed that he was
younz, apparently not more than four
and :wenty; that he had broad black
band round his hat, and that on his
face we're traces Of recent sorrow, al
most. in fact, Of agitation. He SEEM
ed relieved at having caught the train;
and being, like myself, quite disinclin-
ed for conversation, our journey pro-
ceeded in silence.
Ny bag ley beside me, and quite un-
der my eyes. I was tired after my
crossing, and fell into a sort OF doze.
On waking, instantly glanced at my
bag. There it lay, quite safe. My
companion, however, had moved his
seat. We stopped at Chester, and here
I thought 1 would get out and walk
about a little, as we had ten minutes
to wait. I took my bag, and got out,
On my return to ne train there was
my companion, apparently asleep. I
got into the carriage without disturb
ing him, and we continued our jour-
ney. At Crewe, our next stopping
place, he got out, and did not come
back. I was very tired now. and fell
into a sound sleep, with my hand
holding the handle Of my black bag. l
did not wake until we reached Lon
don: then getting into the first han
som saw, and still carrying my pre-
cious bag, Of which I was heartily
tired, I drove home. On my arrival,
with a rnethod which I suppose Is ha-
bitual 70 a man in my trade, l In
stantly went to the safe in which I
keep valuable jewels, unlocked it, and
depositing the bag on a table, I opened
it. Imagine my dismay at finding
that, instead of my diamonds, it con-
tanned only some rusty bits OF iron
and wooden debris. My bag was gone;
this other bag had been cleverly sub
stituted for it; so cleverly, indeed,
that even the weight, as well as the
appearance, had been judged.
I put the affair into the hands OF the
police, giving them exactly every par
ticular as I have here written it. The
bag was lost.