jjjAwt Mi
rR"n' AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER.
Vol. "V. Now Bloomflold, DPn., Xoln'imvy 1871. TVo. O.
J rubUnhcd WceMu,
At New IJloomllelil, Tena'a.
FRANK MOB TIM Ell.
SUBSCItlrTION TEUMS.
OXE HOLLA it wit yea it:
GO Cents for i Months; 40 Cents
for !i Months,
I IV ADVANCi:.
A MISSING CARPET BAG:
on
LOVK vei-Hiis rWV.
"T OCK your door, light a cigar, and
I A ho ready to givo mo all your atten
tion," cried my young friend, Ned Wilkins,
dashing into my ollieo in San Francisco, one
mild day in tho spring of 18-1.
"Why, what is tho matter, Ned?" asked
I, astonished at tho excited flush and angry
cloud on his usual gonial and always hand
some faco.
"Matter enough," groaned ho, wiping off
tho perspiration from his forehead. " I am
ruined, my character lost, all my prospects
in life blasted. I might as well put a pis
tol to my head aud liavo it over with.
C 1 what can you do for mo ?"
I saw ho was in earnest, and rising from
my chair secured tho door against intru
ders, and laid my hand in kindly warmth
upon his shoulder, for if thcro was ever a
friend I thoroughly valued and appreciated,
it was generous, open-hearted, gentlemanly
Nod Wilkins.
' Tell me what your trouhlo is, Nod, and
all my efforts are at your service."
"Well," said ho, with a dismal laugh,
"it's only this, that all San Francisco be
hove me a villain, and tho most despicable
of all villains a thief. And tho worst of
it is, that circumstances aro so terribly
against mo. I don't kuow how to go to
work to provo anything else. (), if 1 had
tho rascal !" And ho ground his teeth with
rago.
"What rascal?" questioned I, trying to
obtain some coherent account.
"That's what I don't know I wish I
did. There, there, light your cigar, and I
will tell you tho whole story. You know I
am purser of tho good steamer, ' Queen
of the West,' and liavo always met tho ap
probation of tho captain and owners.
Somo tiino ago I found, down at the wharf,
a poor fellow who was at school with me
in old New England, lie had been sick,
and was what wo call 'dead ashore.' A
good clever fellow, but without much tact
or management. ' I know ho was honest
and faithful as a man could be, and I took
him with mo on board the steamer, got him
some decent clothes, and procured hint a
situation in my baggago-room. Well, yes
terday afternoon I told Sam (that's his
name) I was going to leave tho steamer a
littlo while, on an errand to tho city, and
ho must mind my oilioe for hie, and re
ceive any packago that might como to my
care. I was just stepping on to tho wharf,
when I met a man I had frequently seen on
board the steamer as passenger to tho is
lands, with a carpet bag on his arm.
"Hallo, Wilkins," said he, "so you're
still with tho boat. Well, I'm going this
trip with you, and I want you to secure my
berth. Here's my bag. Shall I put it in
your office?"
' "If you chooso, you may," answered I,
carelessly. "Hero, Sam, take this bag to
tho ollicc."
"Sam carried oil' tho bag, and after talk
ing a few moments I went on my way to
tho city. When I returned, I saw tho same
man on deck, and that circumstance re
minding mo of his property, I said to Sam
the moment I entered :
"' Have that carpet bag handy, Sam.
The owner is on deck, and I presume lie
will want it soon.' Sam lookod up in sur
prise. " What, sir? O, that bag ; ho sent for
it a little while after you left. I don't see
why ho gave it to mo for so little a time.
It waB pretty heavy, though, to carry
about."
'"Sunt for It?' said I. 'Why, didn't ho
come for It himself?"
" ' I don't kuow. It was a darkey for it.'
" 'He brought an order for it, didn't ho?'
questioned I, again.
'"No sir. He told me what kind of a
one it was, aud said the owner was waiting
on tho wharf for it, and wanted something
in it.'
" I began to feel a little uneasy. 'Nev
er do that again, Sam,' I said. 'I dare say
it's all right this time, but you mustn't let
anything go again without an order to show
for it, if tho owner doesn't come.'
"At that moment tho same man appear
ed at tho ollieo window and called out :
" ' I'll tako tho bag now, if you please.'
"I started I couldn't help it. I had
been a littlo uneasy before, but I tried to
answer coolly. (Ho says it was my guilt
and effrontery.)
",' Your bag why you sent for it, didn't
you?"
" 'Sent for it ! I havon't seen it sinco I
gavo it up. Good heavens, sir, thcro was
six thousand dollars in gold dust in that
bag !"
" Wasn't that a nico situation for mo,
C ? I explained as calmly as I could
to tho excited man what had happened, but
thcro was no reasoning with him. Ho sworo
and raved liko a madman, and darted away
to tho captain, and Sam and tho captain
believed us, but that didn't mend matters,
and I assure yon wo had pretty squally
weather for a timo. Tho first thing I know,
along camo a pplico officer with a warrant
to arrest Sam. I was angry enough, espe
cially when I saw tho fright it gavo tho
poor fellow.
" Somehow I mistrusted tho carpet bag
and its owner, too. Who over heard of
such cool proceedings as handing over a
carpet bag with such a sum of gold, aud
novel explaining its contents or charging us
to look to its security ? 1 believed it was a
sham, a trick to obtain money out of us,
and you know what a hasty way I have,
when once aroused when tho man grew
insolent and abusive, tho first I kuow I had
him by tho collar, giving him back his own
words about cheating, and warning him to
let Sain and mo alono. It was not a very
prudent course to pursue they say it was
proof positivo of my guilt but I did it,
and now you see thcy'vo summoned us
both to trial. A pretty situation for Wil
kins, who has been foolish enough to boast,
many a time, about his unimpeachable hon
or and unsullied name. Tho disgraceful
chargo will break my poor old father's hon
est heart, if it reaches New England, al
though ho will not questiou his son's inno
cence " Well, well, I wish I could stop fretting.
It must bo fcrretted out somo way, and I
thought you would bo tho best man to do
it. I havo obtained bail for Sam and my
self, and shall keep on this trip of the
steamer, as tho caso wont bo on until some
timo after wo arrive again. Now, then,
what do you say ?"
I had been listening sharply to this ram
bling recital, aud trying to sum up tho facts
of tho caso, so I replied with another ques
tiou :
" You Bay a negro camo for the bag?
Can Sam idontify him ?"
"Ho thinks ho can, although woolly heads
and Ethiopian lips aro a hard thing to
swear to. What plan aro you driving at
in that cool head of yours? I began to
tako courage. You know you aro called
tho sharpest Vigilance man in San Francis
co. O, C , only clear mo out of this
scrape, and hang mo if another carpet bag
goes out of my office without witnesses
and a printed order. What do you think?
Was tho bag a sham, filled witli stones to
make it heavy, or has Alden actually lost
tho money ?"
"I don't judgo anything about it yet,"
returned I, quietly. " I should liko to
hear him talking about it. Alden, you
say his namo is? I think I can mauago to
get a glimpso of him. Don't mention your
coming for my assistance, do with the
steamer as usual, and let people under
stand that Sam accompanies you. Hut, if
you please, give him orders to stay ashore
and keep out of sight, and follow my di
rections implicitly, evon if It is to pack up
for Australia or Fatagonia. I'll do tho
best I can, aud between Sam and mo we'll
have somo trace of tho negro before you re
turn." Ho was looking, already, less woebegone
" All right. You shall havo Sam, aud if
you can only clear it up, I wont grumble
ut pretty heavy expenses. - Wo aro off to
night, bo I must say good-by. Do tho best
you can, and success to your efforts." And
away ho flew in tho direction of tho
wharves.
I put on my coat aud hat, took a cigar
aud fanciful cane, and wont sauntering
down tho street with tho air of a Loudon
exquisite. At tho door of tho most fash
ionable hotel of those days I paused, ami
then passed into tho reading-room, which
as usual at that hour of tho day, was filled
with a crowd of men.
And very soon, amid tho loud vocifera
tions and subdued chit-chat, I caught tho
words, "carpet-hag," "six thousand dol
lars in gold," "rascally purser," etc., etc.
I shook off tho ashes of my cigar over my
coat-sleeve, aud then walked up to tho
clothes-brush, fastened by a cord to tho
mirror closo to tho very group whoso con
versation I wished to hear. I think I must
havo passed in tho crowd for a remarkably
neat individual, so perscvoringly waH that
sleeve brushed and dusted. When tho op
eration was satisfactorily performed, I
wheeled about facing tho talkers, and qui
etly scanned their faces to seo if ono might
provo to ho Alden himself. A short thick
set man, with a hard cold faco, just then
Hushed with somo indignant or guilty
emotion, struck mo as tho man. And I
was right, for presently ho said :
" Tho very way that Wilkins looked
when I asked for tho bag, stammering and
hesitating, showed his guilt. He'll find
his gamo a losing ono this time, I reckon."
They talked on nearly half an hour,
chielly of tho missing gold. Poor Wilkins
would scarcely havo remained so passive a
listener had ho heard tho hard chargo
against him. I found Sam. at my oflico
when I returned.
Ho was a simple, good-natured, thorough
ly honest fellow, and I was not surprised
Wilkinshadno thought of suspecting him
in regard to tho affair. For although I had
previously determined to tost his honesty
pretty severely, I concluded, after half an
hour's talk with him, that uncounted gold
might safely bo trusted to his keeping. In
regard to Alden my mind was undecided.
If his indignation at the loss was affectod,
ho proved himself a flno actor ; nevertheless
a glanco at his head convinced mo that his
conscientiousness was scarcoly prominent
enough to intorforo with pretty undorhand
cd means of gratifying tho remarkably full
acquisitiveness.
For tho next three weeks Sam and I, in
all sorts of disguises, reconnoitorod tho low
billiard rooms and drinking Baloons of tho
city and its outskirts. All, however, to
no purpose Then wo took a hasty glanco
at Sacrcmento and tho mining districts.
But never a sign or rumor of any such
negro as Sam described reached us. Rath
er crest-fallen and dispirited, wo returned
to San Francisco. It was nearly timo for
tho steamer to return, and I was grieved
enough that poor Wilkins should lind us
still as much as ever in tho dark.
Ono day whilo lounging around a public
house, vainly hoping that something would
" turn up" to enlighten me, I saw a travel
ling wagon from tho country drivo up to
tho door, and liko all detectives, was too
much in the habit of noting small events
to refuso to examine its contents.
I was well repaid this timo for my pains
by tho glimpso I caught of tho charmingly
beautiful face of tho Spanish sylph who
lightly brushing aside tho arm of her portly
siro, sprang down from tho wagon and ran
gracefully up tho wooden steps of tho ho
tel. I confess to possessing my rightful share
of human nature's weakness. I soon throw
away my cigar, and left tho porch or piazza
(ono should havo a now namo for such an
oild affair, as it was erected in thoso days
of hasty architecture), to outer tho receiving
room for guests. Thcro was tho Spanish
girl chatting merrily with hor father, over
a well-stored luncheon-tray, and displaying
her pearly teeth with tho most enchanting
smiles.
The father replied to her gay sallies with
an affectionato smilo, but was too much in
terested in tho savory viands before him to
waste much timo in talking. I unfolded a
newspaper, aud taking my scat at an op
posito tahlo, called for a lunch likewise, all,
it must be owned, fur the sako of watching
that sparkling face.
So much beauty was rarity enough just
then in San Francisco, but there was some
thing more, au unusual accompaniment of
that stylo of oriental loveliness, an artless
innocence, and unconscious purity, that
softened the black eyes flashing lustre, and
neutralized tho otherwise arch and co
quettish expression of tho faco, so that the
more I gazed, tho mora my first admiration
deepened into respectful Interest.
So I lingered over my luncheon even af
ter tho father, his own wants satisfied, had
gono to tho stable to seo that his horses
wore likewise well attended to. The girl
modestly lowered her veil and averted her
face when left alone, and I gavo my attou
tion to tho nowspnper. A new-comer soon
apoared j a young man, showily dressed,
aud with a profusion of flashy jewelry, who
sauntered into the room with tho air of an
emperor. A sickening simper distorted his
unmeaning features, as his cyo fell upon
tho sweet downcast face, and ho was bold
enough to scat himself at her tablo and
commence a rambling, silly conversation.
Slio looked a littlo frightened, but answer
ed his questions briefly, and then roso to
lcavo tho tablo. Whereupon tho insolent
ignoramus caught her flowing slecvo and
drew her back to the tablo with an ill-timed
jest.
A faint scream escaped her, and then
sho burst into tears. I think tho fellow
had not perceivod mo before, for ho seemed
to wither into nothingness beneath my
withering glance I gavo this beautiful
stranger my arm, with an assurance of
safety and protection, nnd escorted her to
tho privato sitting-room and returned to
tho portico, thanking tho stupid fellow
(whoever ho was) from tho bottom of my
heart for giving mo this flno chanco for
serving tho lady. As I anticipated when
tho father returned and learned what had
happened, ho camo out atonco to thank mo
for my assistance
Wo had a long conversation, and I was
soon familiar with tho namo and circum
stances of tho pair. Ho was an cxtensivo
land-owner from tho interior, and was now
for tho first timo in San Francisco to dis
poso of tho farm products in loaded teams
a littlo behind him on tho road. He in
formed mo ho had at length concluded to
como himself and bring his daughter with
him, to seo a littlo moro of tho world than
sho was accustomed to at tho ranches, in
quiring of mo if I could direct him to com
fortabloand secure lodgings.
I was well pleased with tho frank honest
farmer, candidly as much for his own sako
as that of his charming littlo daughter ; bo
I named my own boarding-place, aud
agreed to speak to my landlady about pre
paring rooms for thein.
And so it happened Miguel Homcz and
his daughter Carlota camo in this odd way
to bo warm frionds and fellow-boarders of
mine If I had been charmed with Carlota
at first, how much more was I enchanted
now that inlimato acquaintance) revealed
to mo her sweet womanly character and
pure guileless heart ! Even I myself mar
velled at the chango sho had wrought in
my dry uninviting life, as somo cold, life
less, quiet secno may suddenly grow bril
liant and attractive through an unexpected
flooding or glorifying sunsot light.
Carlota's soft dark eyes shed their own
sparkling lustre ovor all tho common and
trivial things sho looked upon, and I, too,
felt tho influence My heart bounded
high and buoyant in my breast, and my
foot had caught an clastic spring something
akin to tho gliding graco of hor fairy steps.
I fear Nod Wilkin's forthcoming trial did
not receive so much attention as Carlota's
guitar and dimpled lingers.
Poor Sam, however, was faithful to tho
search. Ho was still busily exploring
around hero, thcro and everywhere, and
it had almost become a monomania with
him to rush forth and scan earnestly every
ebon faco that showed out from tho crowd
ed thoroughfares.
Tho very day sho was duo tho steamer
arrived, aud Ned came dashing, in his
usual impetuous manner, into tho oflico,
just as I was wrapping up in tissuo paper
a bouquet I had purchased for Carlota. Ho
looked at tho llowers with a comical smilo
but was too eager alxmt tho robbory to
make any commouts. Poor fellow 1 How
I grieved for the pain his voieo betrayed
when he had hoard how unsuccessful wo
had been, and said :
"Then I suppose tho trial must como on.
I don't soo how they will go to work to
provo against mo what I didn't do, but
that's of no account ; oven if acquitted for
want of evidence, my reputation is mined
forever."
" Wo can got it postponed a few weeks
longer," said I, oncouraglngly as I could.
" Who knows what may turn up by that
time
And feeling for his disappointment and
down-hoartednesM, I proposed he should go
homo with mo and spend tho evening, to
forgot hi troubles In tho pleasant society
there.
Was ever lover so misguided and shallow
before? Tho moment I introduced him
to Carlota, and saw tho Hash of admiration
kiudlo on his face, aud tho pleased interes
ted sparkle In hor eyo, I saw what mischief
I had mado for myself, and railed inwardly
at my own stupidity. But it was too late
to help it. When tho match has lent its
tiny flame, though only to a single wisp of
the straw, who shall stay the conflagra
tion?" I was punished enough through the misery
I endured by means of Ned's constant vis
its to tho houso after that evening, all on
pretence of friendship to mo. Sometimes
I anathematized Ned, his handsomo face
and winning sailor frankness, his court
affair and friendly acquaintance with mo ;
in fact, everything that had brought to his
notice and admiration my lcautiful Spanish
flower, but moro frequently I accused my
my own ill-luck, and grow morose and mis
anthropical. But at length consoionco
spoke too loudly to bo unnoticed.
"Houso yourself," it said, "and bo a
man, and shako off theso womanish hu
mors. Deal honorably with your friend
and yourself. Is it not right ho who wins
should rccoivo tho prizo ? Enter tho lists
oponly and fairly, and if you lose, be gen
erous enough to congratulato your suc
cessful rival."
" I will do it," answered I ; "his suit at
law I am bound to nid in every possible
way, but as for tho suit in love, I'll plead
to the best of my powers on the contrary
side but if the beautiful judgo awards tho
caso to him, I'll not forgot my old friend
ship, nor let my loss make nie angry with
his gain."
I was happier after that decision. I
was assiduous and watchful in my atten
tions to Carlota, and excited all possible
influcnco to mako myself agrceablo and
entertaining, but I could not help often
laughing secretly (though in a bitter lach
ryntoso way, to bo sure), to soo how ' heed
less and careless sho would appear after my
most ambitious efforts, whilo just a glimpse
of Ned Wilkin's faco, or tho simplo sound
of tho doleful sigh h indulged in, pretty
often of lato, would send tho color drifting
in crimson waves over her check, and
brighten tho lustre of her eyes, as if the
most eloquent oration had stirred her heart
to its inmost depths.
I havo often noticed that nothing so wins
upon a woman's sympathy and subsequent
lovo, as melancohly or disaster. I beliove,
sometimes, tho most succccssful candidate
for a fair lady's favor is a brigand, or a fel
on or suspected thief oven any ono clothed
in tho bewitching mantle of mystory and
sadnoss. Oentlo pity is tho precursor of
lovo, and I soon realized it was useless for
mo to cherish any hopo of success since tho
chief recommendation to Carlota's favor
I could urgo, was being tho friend and
counsellor of Ned Wilkin's in his forth-
coming trial. In regard to the trial, we
were still at an utter loss for any clue to
servo us In tho defence
Poor Sain was half distracted with grief at
tho injury ho had dono his generous patron
and romorso for his own carolossnoss. He
followed mo from tho oflico to my boarding
placo ono afternoon, half crying with vexa
tion and impatience
" I only wish I had hold of that black
skinned villain," groaned ho. " Wouldn't
I make the rascal sweat 1"
I could not help laughing, notwithstand
ing tho poor fellow's distress. Just then
the chambermaid passed by my opon door.
To my astonishment Sam sprang up as if a
fire alarm had rung in his ears, screaming
out :
" Stop hor I stop her !
Tho fellow lookod liko a lunatic, but I
stepped to tho door at once.
" Wait a moment, Ann, if you please, I
havo an errand for you."
Tho girl paused on the stairs, aud I went
back to Sain. The perspiration was stream
ing down his faco, and his eyes glowed as I
havo scon men's when wild with the de
lirium of fevor.
" Did you seo what sho had inher hand ?"
ho asked, in a voico husky with excite
ment. I actually believod his wits astray, and
replied, soothingly, " Nothing to hurt you,
Sam ; don't bo alarmed ;"
"But it was a carpet-bag sir, tho carpet
bag, I beliovo, as I'm a living sinner."
" Whow !" criod I, full as eagerand alert
as he, now that I caught tho drift of his
meaning. " But can you identify a com
mon carpot-bag so easily as that
"Wait," said Sam, shutting his eyes
tightly, tho bettor I suppose, to recall the
appearance of the fatal carpet-bag. " I
didn't say anything about it before, but I'll
tell you how we can mako sure. Tho bag
that girl had was just like Aldon's. I shall
kuow the looks of it fifty years from now,
if I live so long. But if it is the identical
bag there will be a stream of ink, down
through a largo yellow tulip, just about
two inches below tho lock, I was filling
tho inkstand over the shelf whore tho bag
lay in tho office that day, and overflowed it
so it ran'down upon tho bag. I couldn't
well wipe it out, so I loft it just as it was
hoping tho owner wouldn't mind it till af
ter ho was out of my sight, at any rate.
Now, sir, go and seo." Concluded next
week.