Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-09-02

l arose after a nights journey in a
sleeping car, made my toilet in the
wash room at the end of the car, and
when | returned to my berth it was
made up. found there the occupant
of the upper berth. a sleek looking
gentleman. well dressed and apparent
ly prosperous, but with an anxious ex-
preston on his face that he could not
conceal. He seemed to find it difficult
to sit still and kept furtively looking
about him as though he expected some
one to pounce upon him.
We were entering Chicago and be-
fore reaching the terminal stopped at
a suburban station. BY this time my
section mate looked so frightened that
he was entirely unable to conceal bis
feelings. Standing up. he cast glance
out the window. hesitated then. Selling
his suit case, hurried from the train
We had no sooner started again than.
casting a glance at my own suit case.
which had stood on the floor beside
that of the departed passenger, no.
ticed that my name did not appear on
end. but it was not there either.
knew that my suit case bore my name
and my city. so | at once made up my
mind that the man who had occupied
the other berth had taken mine instead
of his own | took out my key to see
if | could open the one remaining. but
it did not fit.
1t struck me that there was some
thing wrong with the man who had
| exchanged suit cases. Surprising he
We're a fugitive from justine. if
were found with his baggage | might
be mistaken for him and get into trou-
BILE. 1t would be impossible for me to
reach him and inform him of his mis-
take. | must go on to the depot with
out my suit case. He would discover
my name and address on it, and since
my residence was in Chicago he would.
if honest, drop me a line through the
| postoffice.
But what should | do with his
suit case? Did | not suspect him
would take it with me and return it
| to him when he returned mine. AS
it was, ! dreaded to be found with it
in my possession.
There was young man sitting In
the section opposite me. He looked
rather seedy and melancholy Beside
him was a suit case. Just before en-
| tering the station he went to the
other end of the car. Taking advan-
tage of his absence, ! changed suit
cases with him. When he returned.
since we were under cover of the
picked up the suit case l had placed
on his seat and went out with it
among the throng of passengers.
l waited patiently, expecting every
day to receive note from the man
who had my suit case. I couldn't
address him. for there was no name
on the suit case l had taken. l re-
ceived no communication and finally
gave up expecting any. | determined
to open the suit case I had in my
possession to see if l could find any
thing inside indicating to whom it be-
longed.
Forcing the lock, | found within
pieces of linen clothing, a paper
novel and q few letters. The latter
were not in envelopes bearing an adj
dress, and, in order to discover if
there was anything in them to give
me the information l wished. | read
them. They were from a girl who was
very unhappy at her lover leaving her
to go to Chicago to seek his fortune.
By mutual consent they had given up
all hope Of union because the lover
was poor and they couldn't afford TO
marry. had gained this information
before l came to the words, Il shall
send your letters to No. street"
l knew this is to Chicago street.
Here was what l wanted. I wrote
note to the young man stating that
Cby mistake) he had taken my suit
case and If he had mine l would like
to exchange with him.
/ received no reply for some weeks;
then l got a letter containing some
remarkable information - information
that made me regret my timidity of
being mistaken for a criminal. In
deed, no sooner read the words than
desired to "kick" myself all over the
three ...sides" that compose Chicago.