UNKNOWN

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 61, 2 August 1884, Page 5

UNKNOWN

It was my first case of importance, and I had taken it on speculation. If I succeeded, it would not only be a feather in my cap, but a neat sum in my pocket ; if I didn't, it would be at the cost of a deal of labour wasted and a sound legal drubbing at the hands of Naboth Twyscott, who appeared on the other side. The light was long and bitter, but ended in a verdict for my client. It was too late to put the monej 7 in the bank the day the defendant paid it over. However, it was not a bulky roll, being all in thousand-dollar notes ; so I just slipped | it into a secret pocket of my coat, where it would bo safe till morning. Wo lived, my wife and I, in a snug little cottage near the city. We had been married not quite a year. In fact, it was mainly on the strength of my expectations from "the case," which had then reached a point at which Twyscott was only fighting for delay, that I had ventured to ask Phcebe Harland to complete our somewhat longstanding engagement. 1 had promised Phrebe so many things out ot the case that I had forgotten half of them ; but there was little doubt that a strict account of them was laid away in her own memory, and I feared that the sum total would make a large hole in my share of the spoils. 1 know it was a mean thing, and I can hardly think what put it into my head, for I fully intended to deal squarely by Phoebe, but on the train homeward it somehow occurred to me that there was no need of hurry in telling her I had got the money. It would do as well in a day or two as it would now. Pha % be met me so lovingly, and had such a nice little supper waiting — just the dishes she knew I liked best — and was so chatty and pleasant all the evening, that I wonder how I kept the guilty secret, but somehow I did keep it. I was awakened next morning by a messenger with a telegram summoning me at once to town to draw Mr Banton's will. I hastened to catch the early train, which I was just in time to do. Mr Banton was a rich retired merchant, A\hose patronage was not to be neglected. Instead of finding him in extremis, I was not a little surprised at seeing Mr Banton in dressing gown and slippers enjoying a hearty breakfast. His illness Avas imaginary, and, as I afterwards discovered, ho was in the habit of occasionally fancying himself in a dying state, when in reality nothing was the matter. I despatched the business with Mr Banton as rapidly as possible, and do not think my hurried manner impressed him favourably. It was not till I had reached my office that I noticed I had on a different coat from that worn the day before, which, being a little the worse for wear, Phcebe had strongly objected to my wearing of late. More than once she had threatened to sell it or give it to the ragman. She must have slipped another in its place the night before, and in the hurry of my morning toilet, I had failed to note the change. I was a little annoyed when, at a later, hour, my client, Jonas Swirl, called to settle and get his share of the money. He was a very suspicious person, and when I explained the change of coats and the absence of the cash, I fancied he looked just a trifle distrustful. Still, ho said nothing, and went away promising to come back tomorrow. I hardly stopped to return Phccbe's kiss that evening before running up to the closet to look for my old coat. It was not there. I tossed everything upside down, rummaged all the drawers, searched every hook and peg, but the missing garment was nowhere visible. " Phcobe !" I cried, running down to the dining-room where she Avas busy preparing tea— "Phoebe ! where's the coat I Avore yesterday ? ' " That old one?" " Old or neAv, where is it !" I demanded. I'm afraid I seemed to speak harshly, but I was only excited. Phoebe looked scared. I had never addressed her so before. "Forgive me, George," she faltered. " Forgive you for what?"

" I—I — there was a pedlar came along today, and — and I exchanged your old coat— you know it wasn't fit to wear any longer, dear — for a pair of the loveliest little flower vases— l've been waiting for you to notice them, but— but " My looks must have terrified her, for she burst into tears, sobbing out : "I didn't think you would mind it, George." Poor Phcebe, it was the first time I had made her cry ; and after all I had only my own selfish folly to blame. Why hadn't X told her about the money ? Taking her to my arms and kissing away her tears : "Never mind, darling," I said : "don't cry about the coat ; but do you know which way the pedlar went ?" My kind words reassured her. The smile came back to her face, but the question about the pedlar puzzled her. "I didn't notice which way he went," she answered ; " but since you don't mind about the coat, what difference does it make, dear?" I didn't care to explain the mighty difference it made ; for I saw it would break Phoebe's heart to know the truth, and could do no good. After tea I went out on some pretext and made such inquiries as I could with prudence ; but though I found some who had seen the pedlar, none could give me any clue to him or whither he had gone. Phcebe was delighted with her vases ; and of course I had to admire them too, though I confess it would have afforded me greater satisfaction to have smashed them over the confounded pedlar's head. I spent a sleepless night, though I managed to keep Phcebe from observing my distress. It would be time enough to vex her with the truth when there would be no other course left. Making an excuse for another early start, I got to town by the first morning train. I notified the police, and spoke of advertising ; but that would never do, the superintendent said. As the money was in a hidden pocket, the only hope lay in finding the coat before the presence of the notes was discovered. Whatever search was made ifcutt be pi'osecuted secretly. Giving the best description of the pedlar I had been able to obtain, 1 went to my office with a heavy heart. What should I do when Jonas Swirl came for his money ? He would never believe my story, and Heaven only knew what harsh measures he might choose to take. As I sal with my head buried in my hands, and elbows resting on my desk, brooding over my troubles, I did not notice a man enter the door, to which my back was turned, and was not aware cf his presence until awakened irom my reverie by a gruff— " Want any pens, sir ?" " No !"' I answered, without looking up. "Some ink? -some blotting paper ?— some soap ? — gome matches ? — some " Not caring to hear the inventory finished, I turned to request the man to leave. But — 1 didn't. He had on my own old coat, more attractive to my eyes just then than the richest royal robe ! '•How would you like to sell that coat you have on ?" 1 asked as unconcernedly as possible. The man smiled as one might at what he thought a very poor joke. "Oi*, maybe you'd exchange it for the one I wear." I added. "You're hardly in earnest, sir." " IndGed 1 am," I said ; " I fancy the cut of yours, and here's mine— come even up and no higgling !" The coat which I drew off and thrust into his hands was quite new, and worth many times that for which I offered to exchange it. I was evidently taken for a lunatic, but that did not baulk the pedlar's greed for a good bargain. The barter was completed and the man hurried off, probably fearing the return of a lucid interval in which I might seek to cancel the trade. But I followed at his heels, keeping him in sight till I had searched the secret pocket, where I found the money all safe. And I found it just in time too, for before many minutes Jonas Swirl came as he had promised. Our settlement was soon completed, and each had his own share to do what he would with. Phcebe was surprised to see me in my old coat ; but when I told her all, and saw how white and scared she looked, I was glad that I had waited till there was only good news to tell her.

A correspondent writes : " The Mayor of Melbourne and City Councillors abstained in a body from attending the ActingGovernor's levee, because pi'eccdence was given to the newly imported oflicers of the militia. This childish proceeding; on the part of two dozen elderly gentleman, supposed to be possessed of fair intelligence and common sense, has been a prolific source of laughter during the week. Not that they are personally to blame for the ridiculous position they have assumed. But they have so long been in the habit of doing everything that the town clerk advises that a suggestion from him is now regarded almost in the light of a command. A threat from Mr Fitzgibbon to resign causes consternation in the Council Chamber. Mayors may come and mayors may go, but Fitzgibbon reigns for ever. Fitz is a stern stickler for corporation privileges, any interference with which is taken as a personal insult. Hence his anger and indignation at finding the militia officers honoured with a higher place at the levee than was accorded to the municipal parliament which he governed." The progress of British merchant shipping is phenomenal. According to a Parliamentary return it appeals that the tonnage of sailing and steam vessels, with cargoes and in ballast, entered and cleared at ports in the United Kingdom, grew from 9,439,667 in IS4O to 64,961,753 in ISS3, the British tonnage increasing from 6,490,485 to 47,039,079 and the foreign from 2, 949, 182 to 17,922,674. The total tonnage of the United States, registered for foreign trade, was only 1,292,294 in ISS2 against a total in England of 6,905,650 tons. The German empire had 1,226,650, Italy 990,004, and France 983,017 tons. Somo interesting statistics have just been furnished regarding savings-bank operations in Great Britain. Ireland, it would appear, has 31 banks, 52,161 accounts, and £2,055,413 due depositors. For the year ISB3 the return says : " The average amount of receipts from depositors was largest in Ireland, £6 Is Id ; while in England and Wales the average was £4 Ss, and in Scotland £3 4s lOd. In England and Wales the average amount of payments to depositors was £8 Is 6d, in Scotland it was i"5 18s 7d> and in Ireland £7 8s 7d. The rate of interest paid to depositors averaged in England £2 14s 6d, in Scotland £2 14s Id, and in Ireland £2 13s 2d." Previous to Tawhiao's departure from " his native shores "he said :— " During the time of my journey to Europe there will be no rain, and that will be a sign that my mission will be successful. " There has been lots of rain, so his mission may be assumed to have failed. Paris has 191,500 dwellings holding 500,000 rich poople, and 472,000 others holding 1,500,000 workmen and poor people. About 200,000 live in 1,753 tenement houses,