The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-10-08
CHAPTER VIII.

Shhk LIN VII.
On the next morning (tte morning Of the
twenty-sixth) showed Mr.. Franklin this article
Of jugglery, and told him what have already
told you. His opinion was, not only that the
Indians had been lurking about after the Dia-
mond. but also that they were actually foolish
enough to believe in their own magic-meanng
thereby the making of signs on boys head.
and the pouring Of ink into the boys hand. and
then expecting him to see persons and things be-
yond the reach Of human vision. In our coun-
try, rs well as In the East, Mr.. Franklin in
formed me, there are people who practice this
curious hocus-pocus (wthout the ink. howeyer) ;
and who call It by French name, signifying
something like brightness of sight. depend
upon it," says Mr.. Franklin, "the Indians took
Il for granted that we should keep the Diamond
here and they brought their clairvoyant boy to
show them the way to it. if they succeeded in
getting into the house last night"
''DO you think they'll try again, sir'" lask-
ed.
''It depends" says Mr.. Franklin, con what
the boy can really do. If he can see the, Dia-
mond through the iron safe Of the bank at FRI
,inehall, We shall be troubled with no more vis-
its from the Indians for the present. II hecan't
we shall have another chance Of catching them
in the shrubbery before many more nights are
over our heads"
waited pretty confidently for that latter
chance but. strange to relate, 1t never came.
Whether the iugglers heard, in the town, Of
Mr.. Franklin having been seen ut the bank, and
drew their conclusions accordingly or whether
the boy really did see the Diamond where the Dia-
mond was now lodged (Which l, for one, fatty
disbelieye) or whether, after all. 1t was mere
effect Of chance, this, at any rate, is the plain
truth-not the ghost Of an Indian came near
the house again, through the weeks that passed
before Miss Rachel's birthday. The jugglcrs
remained in and about the town plying their
trade and Mr.. Franklin and remained wait
ing to see what might happen. and resolute not
to put the rogues on their guard by showing our
suspicious OF them too soon. With this report
Of the proceedings on either side, ends oil that
have TO say about the Indians for the present.
On the twenty-ninth Of the month, Miss Ra-
chel and Mr.. Franklin hit on n new method Of
working their way together through the time
which might otherwise have hung heavy on their
hands. There are reasons for taking particular
notice here Of the occupation that amused them.
You will End II has bearing on something that
is still to come.
Mr.. Frankln's universal genius, dabbling in
everything, dabbled in what he called "decora-
tive painting" He had invented, he informed
us, new mixture to moisten paint with, which
he described as "vehicle." What II was made
Of don't know. What il did can tell you in
two words-it stank. Miss Rachel being wild
to try her hand at the new process, MIR. Frank
lin sent to London for the materials; mixed
them up, with accompaniment Of smell which
made the very dogs snecze when they came into
the room put an apron and bib over Miss
Rachel's gown, and set her to work decorating
her own little sitting-room-called for want OF
English to name il, her "boudoir." They be-
gan with the inside Of the door. Mr.. Franklin
scraped of all the nice yarnish with pumice-
stone, and made what he described as surface
to work on. Miss Rachel then covered the sur
face, under his direction and with his help, with
patterns and devices-griiins, birds, flowers,
cupids, and such like-copied from designs
made by n famous Italian painter, whose name
escapes me-the one, mean, who stocked the
world with Virgin Marys, and had sweet
heart at the bakers. Viewed as work, this
decoration was slow to do and dirty to deal with.
But our young lady and gentleman never SEEM
ed to tire Of il. When they were not riding, or
seeing company, or taking their meals, gripping
their songs, there they were with their heads
together, as busy rs bees, spelling the door.
The next date worthy Of notice is Sunday the
fourth OF June.
On that evening we, in the servants hall, de-
bated domestic question for the first time,
which, like the decoration Of the door. has its
bearing on something that is still to come.
Seeing the pleasure which Mr.. Franklin and
Miss Rachel took In each others society, and
noting what pretty match they were In all
personal respects, we naturally speculated on
the chance Of their putting their heads togrth-
er with other objects In view besides the orna-
menting Of q door. Some Of us said there
would be wedding in the house before the
summer wa over. Others lied by mel admit
ted II was likely enough Miss Rachel might be
married; but we doubted (for reasons which
will presently appcar) whether her bridegroom
would be Mr.. Franklin Blake.
That Mr.. Franklin was in love, on his side,
nobody who saw and heard him could doubt.
The difficulty was to fathom Miss Rachel. Let
me do myself the honor Of making you sequaint-
ed with her; sfter which viii leave you to
fathou her yourself-if you can.
Ny young lsdy's eighteenth birthday was the
birthday now coming, on the twenty -6rst Of
June. II you happen to like dark women (who
am informed, have gone out Of fashion, latter
ly In the gay worid), and IL you have no par
tieular prejudice in favor OF sine, I answer for
Miss Rachel as one Of the prettiest girls your
eyes ever looked on. She was small and slim,
but all In fine proportion from top to toe. To
see her sit down, TO see her get up. and spccial-
ly TO see her walk, was enough to satisfy any
man In his senses that the grace Of her figure
(if you win pardon me the eIpression) were in
her hesh, and not In her clothes. Her hair was
the blseket ever saw. Her eyes matched her
hair. Her ncse was not quito large enough. !
admit Her mouth and chin were TO quote
Mr.. Frsnkln) morsels for The gods; and her