Hotel Porter's Mistake.

Joe, the hotel porter, was a smart and obliging young man, but inclined to jump to conclusions. When he saw the trunk he believed that it formed part of Mr. L. M. Butler's luggage, and that by some grave oversight it had been left behind. He saw that if he acted quickly he might still save the situation. He hailed a passing hansom cab, and explaining to the driver that there was half a sovereign in it, they caught the train, bundled the trunk into the front of the cab, and set off for station. Joe had to stand on the step and steady the trunk while they made a quick trip, and reached the station with about a minute to spare. Joe explained breathelessly to the porters, and they managed to get the trunk on the train as the starting bell rang. He made a dash for the carriage where Mr. Butler was seated, and hastily explained that his trunk had been left behind at the hotel, but he had got it aboard alright. Mr. Butler was already satisfied regarding his luggage. As the porter evidently believed he had rendered some service, Mr. Butler, anticipating that he would not have much further need for New Zealand currency, managed to find a half-crown in his pocket, and handed this to Joe as the train pulled out. There was no time for discussion. Joe was disappointed, and so was the cab driver, but they agreed to a division of a shilling each, and spent the sixpence on two glasses of beer to cheer them in their loss.