99.A
Tom Brennan was working in a Philadelphia office building when he noticed
a black bag. The bag contained a book.
This chance discovery ended a 12-day search by the
Library Company of Philadelphia for a historical treasure-a 120-page diary kept
190 years age by Deborah Logan,"a woman who knew everybody in her
day,"James Green ,the librarian told the magazine American Libraries.
Most of the diary is a record of big events in
Philadelphia ,It also includes a description of British soldiers burning
Washington .D. C in the war of 1812.She describes President James Madison on
horseback as "perfectly shaking with fear"during the troubled
days.George Washington,she writes,mistook her for the wife of a French man.and
praised her excellent English ．
The adventure of the lost book began September 4 when
Cory Luxmoore arrived from Eng- land to deliver the diary of his ancestor(祖先)to the Library Company,which he and
his wife considered to be the best home for the diary.
Green told American Libraries he had the diary in his
possession"a bout five minutes"when Luxmoore took it back because he
had promised to show it to one other person.On returning to his hotel after showing
the percious book to Green,Luxmoore waas shocked to realise that he had left it
in the taxi.
Without any delay,Green began calling every taxi
company in the city,with no luck,"I've felt sick since then,"Luxmoore
told reporters.
According to Green.no one has yet learned how the diary
came to the office building .
Tom Brennan received a reward(奖励)of 1,000,Philadelphia gained
another treasure for its histo- ry,and Luxmoore told reporters,"It's
wonderful news.I'm on high".
