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 Wash- ington,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 England 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 history , and Luxmoore told reporters,"It's wonderful news.I'm on high".
