New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-11-16
Why the Changing of Two Bags
Caused Dicky Deep Unhapptness.

Why the Changing OF Two Bags
Caused Diclxy Deep Unhappiness.
NV worry over the possibility of get
ting our travelling bag mixed with
the one so near like it, which the
waiter had carelessly placed next ours
under the serving table, spoiled my
enjoyment of our luncheon. L was
thoroughly provoked at myself for
being so disturbed, but the thought OF
having a third clash with the owner
of the other bag, the middle-aged
woman who already twice scored
Dicky roundly, made me nervous.
Dicky, on the contrary, was in high
good humor. Having relieved his 1r-
ritation at me for my delay in the
dressing room by one of his charac-
teristic exposures of temper, and hav-
ing outwitted in. her rush for table
the woman who had rebuked him,
Dickv felt very much satisfied with
himself. and proceeded to prove him
self a valiant trencherman in his at
tack upon the viands put before him.
When I had left the upper deck [
had been really hungry, but Dickys
temper and my worry over the travel
ing bags effectually took away the
zest from my appetite. I ate what
was put before me, but for any en-
ioyment of the meal I might have
been dining on bread and water.
When I had finished and Dicky had
! paid our check, with a liberal tip, the
waiter brought a bag and handed it to
him. I did not get good look at it
until we we're almost out Of the dining
room, and then, with a Mortified little
| thrill I realized that the bag the
waiter had given Dicky, although al
most identical in appearance with
ours, was still not the one we owned.
"Dicky." 7 gasped wait; that man
| has given you the wrong bag"
eft YOU say another word about this
bag" Dickv reioined irritably, "I1l
throw the blasted thing overheard.
Do you suppose I don't know my own
property when T see it?''
i I shut my lips tightly and walked
on after him, grimly repeating my
| former resolve to say nothing, no
matter what happened.
'That's the MANI
AS we reached the lower corridor
on our way to the checkroom [
thought I heard the voice of the
woman who I knew owned the bag, in
angry expostulation, but [ did not tell
Dicky of my impression.
If the square iaw and thin lips of
the woman whose appearance Dlcky
so disliked denoted anything, they
surely evidenced the ability of the lady
to take care of herself and her pos
sessions.
knew that before we left the boat
she would find us and get her prop
erty back I did not relish the
thought of the encounter, but [ told
myself that Dicky certainly deserved
any unpleasantness that might arise
as result Of his obstinacy.
We went back on the top deck
again, but the beautiful scenery OF the
upper Hudson had no more appear Tor
me- I might have been travelling on
the subway for any notice [ took OF It,
Every faculty was keyed TO re-
ceive the first hint of the scene knew
was inevita BILE. But as the steamer
moved majestically onward and, final
ly turning, swept into the smaller
stream upon which Kingston, our
landing place. is situated, my dread
of q scene gave way to a fear that the
woman might not find out her mis-
take after all, and that through
Dickys obstinacy our travelling bag
and belongings might be lost to us.
This fear obsessed me all through
the hustle of landing. Dicky had taken
the bag and our suitcase from the
checkrcom, and as [ followed him
meekly down the gangplank [ was
miserable indeed.
There he is! That's the man! Stop
him.
A shrili. familiar voice sounded be-
hind us. The next instant the angular,
militant woman, with whom Dicky
had already had two encounters, ap-
peared before us. Nervously follow
ing in her wake was the waiter who
had served us at dinner
II sure youse mistaken, lady" he
was saying over and over; "dat must
be your bag. I'm sure I didn't make
no mistake"
The woman paid no attention to
him, but confronted Dicky sternly.
What business have you with my
travelling bag?" she demanded max
ing a snatch a. the one Dicky carried.
Dicky drew it away from her. /
his eyes flash and his lips set in
thin line which I have learned