The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-05-18
The squire's Story.

(conefuded)
i; Mr.. John Dudgson had built himself
house on Wildbury Heath; a mere cottage, q
be called it; but though only two stories high
1t spread out far and wide, and work people
from Derby had been sent for on purpose te
make the inside as complete as possible. The
gardens too we're exquisite in. arrangement, il
not very extensive; and not a flower was
grown in them but of the rarest species II
must have been somewhat of q modification
to the owner of this dainty place when. on the
day of which speak, the fox. after long
race. during which he had described circle OF
many miles. took refuge in the garden; but
MIR Dudgeon put good face on the matter
when gentleman hunter. with the carless in.
science of the squires of those DAYS and that
place. rode across the velvet lawn, and tapping
at the window of the dining room, with bis
| whip handle, asked permissiou--nol that is
not it-rather. informed Mr. Dudgeon of their
intention-to enter the garden 10 body, and
have the fox utearthed. Mr. Dudgeon com
PEELED himself to smile assent, with the grace
of a masculine Griseida; and then he hastily
gave orders to have all that the house afforded
of provisions, set out for luncheor, guessing
rightly enough that six hours run, would give
even homely fare. an acceptable welcome
He bore without wincing the entrance of the
dirty boots into his exquisitely clean rooms; he
only fels grateful for the care with which Mr..
Higgins strobe about, leboriously and noise
lessly moving on the tip of his toes. as be re-
| connoitered the rooms with curions epe
f'm going to build house myself Dud.
geon; and, upon my word / don't think l
could take better model than vours.'
oh! my poor cottage would be too small to
affnrd any hints for such house as you would
wish TO build, Mr.. Higgins replied Mr. Dud
geon. gently rubbing his hands nevertheless, at
the compliment.
Not at all! not at ALL Let me see. You
have dining room, drawing room:-he hesitat
ed and Mr. Dudgeon filed up the blank as
he expected.
-Four sitting rooms and the bed.rooms.-
But allow me to show you over the house, l
confess | took some pains in arranging it and
though far smaller than what yon would re.
quire, it may nevertheless afford you some
hints
So they left the eating gentlemen with their
mouths and their pla es quite full, and the
scent of the fox overpowering that of the
hasty rashers of ham; aud they carefully in.
spected all the ground floor rooms Then
| Mr.. Dudgeon said:
If you are not tired, Mr. Higgins-it is
rather my hobby. so you must pull me up il
you are-we will go up stairs and will show
| you my sanctum' -
| Mr.. Dudgeons sanctum was the centre room
over the porch. which formed balcony, and
which was carefully filled with choice flowers
| in pots. Inside. there we're all kinds of. ele
giant contrivances for hiding the real strength
of all the boxes and chests required by the
| particular nature of Mr.. Dudgeons business;
| for although his effice was in Barford, he kept
(as he informed Mr.. Higgins) what was the
most valuable here, as being safer than an of
fee which was locked up and left every night
But, as Mr.. Rigging reminded him with a
slight poke in the side, when next they met
his own house was not over secure, A fort
night after the gentlemen of the Barford
hunt lunched there, Mr.. Dldgeon's strong box
in his sanctum up stairs. with the mysterious
tspriDg bolt to the window invented by himself
and the secret OF which was only known Il
the inventor and few of the most intimate
/ friends, to whom he had proudly shown it
this strong box containing the collected Christ
mas rents of half a dozen landlords (there wa
tten no bank nearer than Derby was riled
and the secretly rich Mr.. Dndgeon had 10 stol
his agent in his purchase of paintingsb,
Fleming artists, because the money was re
lquired to make good the missing rents.
4 The Dogberries and Verges of those day
were quite incapable of obtaining any clue t,
the robher or robbers; and though one or tw
tvagrants we're taken up and brought befor
Mr. Dunoyer and Mr.. Higgins, the magistrate
who usually attended to the court room q
Barford, there was no evidence brought agains
them. and after couple of nights durance
the lock=ups they were set at liberty Bnt
became standing joke with Mr.. Higgins +
Mr.. Dudgeon, from time to time, whether h
could recommend him place of safety fc
his valuables; or. if he had made any MOI
= inventions lately for securing houses from rot
bers.s, ss. asa a.
About two years after this time-abor
seven years after. Mr.. Higgins had been ma
ried-one Tuesday evening. MIR. Davis W,
sitting reading the news in the coffee room
the George inn. He belonged to club
gentlemen who met there occasionally to pls
: at whist, to read what few newspapers an
magazines were published in those days,
chat abont the market at Derby. and pric
Z, all over the country. This Tuesday night
was black frost; and few people were in tt
room. MIR. Davis was anxious to finish an
tic in the Gentlemans Magazine; indeed,
was making extracts from it, intending to a
swer it, and yet unable with his small incon
to purchase copy. So he staid late; it W,
past nine. and at ten o'clock the room WI
closed. But while he wrote, Mr.. Higgi
came in. He was pale and haggard with coli
Mr.. Davis who had had for some time so
possession Of the FIRE; moved politely on ol
side. and handed to the new conner the 60
London newspaper which the room afforde
: Mr.. Higgins accepted it, and made some
mark on the intense GOODNESS of the weathe
but Mr.. Davis was too full of his article, al
i intended reply to fall into conversation res,
ly. Mr. Higgins hiIohed his chair nearer