The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-07-13
were selected to do this same looking

were selected to do this same looking
after
II became rumored around that Mr:
James was frequently seen digging in
remote corner of his garden after
sunset, aud this circumstance was re.
garded as very mysterious What
should he be digging for at that time
Of year? Also, it was rumored that
people in passing by his house frequent.
ly had noticed very strange smells
like drugs aud doctors stuifs; and this
was extremely alarming. For what
should Mr.. j. James, or any other
man, be having smells of doctors stuff
round his premisesY
Things came to such a pass that the
investigating committee felt themselves
justified in watching the house. This
they did for ten nights, but saw moth.
ing moro remarkable than q night.cap.
ped head thrust out Of one Of the cham.
Der windows, aud the nose of the said
head blown with wonderful vigor and
thoroughnoss.
Mrs. Briggs got sweeter than ever
on Peter during these lonesome yigils,
aud leaned lovingly on his arm as they
went home, aud told him ovor and over
again how dreadful nervous she was
getting about staying alone now that
dreadful man was around
Tho third night Mr.. j. james came
into the garden about nine O'Clock, with
spade in his hand. Mrs. Briggs
tremblcd, aud graspcd Peter by the
arm.
Don't be skeered I'm here !" said
Peter, bravely. al reckon he's going
to dig it up"
dig what up?" cried Mrs. Briggs,
with increasing terror.
"llis victim Mebby it's grown
person Mebby it's a baby Dear me {!
| most wish was to home with Sally I"
They pccpcd through tho fence, aud
saw Dir. j. Jamas digging, talking to
himself at the same time.
"lf all goes right" said he, oI shall
be rich If it don't rot, my foretuue is
made ! And the old woman doesn't
mistrust a word OF it 20
Then for while he stopped digging,
stopped over the hole he had made, ap.
parently examining something, then be
filled in the dirt again aud Lett the place
Peter and Seth crept through the
fence, and Mrs. Briggs followed them
"It's dead body that he's got bur.
ried there y sail Peter.
"No 'tnin't. It's money :" said Seth.
"Didn't you hear him say his fortune
was made 7"
The two men fell to digging, and
had made quite hole, when out rushed
Mr. J. James in wild aud frantic haste.
For Heavens sake, stop" " cried he.
'Im ruined Keep my secret, gentle.
men, and namo your price !"
81 scorn your gold p said Peter, loft
lily. 81 am an honest man %
THE noblest work of God !" said
Mrs. Briggs
Seth went on digging. Mr.. j. James
danced about like wild man.
Il shall 80 crazy For the love of
iicaVcn stop ulgSinS
wretch p cried Peter, "what have
you buried thcrey 7"
81 paid ten dollars for 'em - cried
James; "two pertaters Of an entirely
new kind, warranted to be five weeks
earlier than any known kindl I've
been in tho fancy pertater business two
years and lost good deal of money
My old womau's down on it, heavy,
aud | have to be little private, and
work by night This pertater, my
friends, is to DO called tho Prolific
Abundan, j. James, aud if it only ger.
inmates, within three days l shall be
rich man p
Seth aud Peter looked extremely
cresttalleu, but Mrs, Briggs was not
conquered.
"What was that smell of Doctors
stuff round your house 2" said she
"that's what | should like to know !"
Oh, my old woman is troubled with
rheumatic, and she stews up mess Of
nasty weeds, in which she bathes every
night! Two alters told her that they
smelt horrid !"
Well, the investigation committee
went home, and let Mr., J. James alone.
His potato vegetated finely, and he
has realized handsomely from sales of
the tater.
Mrs. Briggs aud Peter Wright are
married, aud tho nightly lectures are
resumed, but Peter has recently grown
very hard of hearing, and his wife casts
her wise admonitions upon deaf cars.
She is very well aware that Peter
does not hear her, but still she says it
is comfort and consolation to her to
free her MUD, even if nobody docs