The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-09-08

/ "jewels' vas plainly spoken by Ole oi
them and he heard something about "mon
ey," and he was quite sure the word "hid
den" was also used. 1t was impossible
to tell in what connection the words were
spoken, but he had certainly heard them
sweet significant words as they were to
him. The old man vas electrified
Guesses and suspicions Of nature of the
"business" that had brought these mer
here flashed upon him, and hints Of the
true Interpretation to be given at some
remarkable and puzzling dreams that had
lately troubled his slumbers on the bench
were not wanting in that moment. He
continued to listen intently, but he heard
nothing more of this nature, and hearing
noise within that indicated the rising o!
his guests he hurried away to avoid dis
covery.
One OF the men came out and request.
ed him to come into the room with them
for moment. He complied and the
door was promptly shut behind them.
Pretty good provender this for hungry
men after all, Uncle Jacob, said one OF
the men leaning over on the table, with
his hat in his hand. Take that
He threw down a coin on the table, and
it rang most musically in Johnson's cars
Ring? yes,and glittered, too. He snatch
ed it up, and found it FIVE dollar gold
piece.
No mistake my jolly old cove, said
the man, observing the landlords s look Of
surprise Keep it all We'll show you q
way to get more, if you'll give us little
help. say, and he spoke quite low and
bent his head nearer; have you got any
such thing as spade about here. Uncle
Jucob?
A spade The words thrilled through
johnson Mower like a charge Of elcctri-
city. lie was certain now what were the
objects of his guests.
Yes he answered, with II grumbling
voice, and an unwilling manner but |
don't lend it, because I've only got one.
and
oh, bother that =" Interrupted the man
impatiently. Do you see this p
He neld up gold eagle to the old rlau
and the latter looked at it wistfully.
Now propose to buy your spade,and
give you that for it
Its bargain = cried Mower IN
bring it right in'
Don't hurry; take it cool, said the
other, throwing him the coin, This aiu't
all. Can you make mum. old fellow,
and not blab? mean when it's mad
au object for you to hold your tongue
Yes, yes, yes, cried Mower, trembling
all over with excitement.
'Well--dont get nervous; haven't
told you anything yet, and shan't tell you
much. Here's all we want OF you new
or to tell anybody that we've been here.
We're going to quit you in two minutes
and you'Ie not to follow us, Or watch
where We go. You may have strange
men about here in a day or two, trying to
find ont if we've been here. You don't
know US, mind you never saw any such
chaps as they'll tell you of; you're sure
there's been no such coves here all sum.
mer That's your cue, remember. Now
that's easy enough; can you make twon-
ty dollars any easier?'
/ IN do it, I'll do it" Mower eXclam-
ed with alacrity. IN be as secret as the
grave
You'll tell nobody 2
No, not n soul; on my honor, no.
The shining double eagle that the mar
held :emptingly forth in his fingers was
transferred to the pocket Of Mower, and
the three went out Of tho house The
spade was produced and with parting
injunction to the host to remember hi:
promise, the guests plunged into the dark
ness. The old man could not see them
but be distinctly heard them climbing the
ieuce on the further side Of the road
They're bound for Norman's Woods, -
know it = he chuckled and without q
moments hesitation be stealthily followed
Guided by the faint sound Of their feet
in advance. he skulked along, stopping
whenever the cessation of the sound indi
Gated that they had paused to see if they
were followed. The way led across wide
meadow to thick wood, and when Now
er heard the cracking of leaves under
their feet as they entered the wood, h,
took extraordinary precautions agains
discovery. He lay down fiat on ths
ground and worked himself painfully
along, serpent.wise, still guided by The
sound, until they had penetrated some
distance into the wood, when they paused
There ~as sudjued flicker OF light, ,whicl
instantly disappeared; and satisfied tina
they mad reached the scene of their pro
jected operations, the watcher WORKED
himself forward until he was not mor'
than rod od. There, lying prone to th'
ground, and peeriDg around the trunk o
an enormous oak that completely hid blu
be eagerly watched and listened
The two had paused at the foot of
great rock that rose in an irregular ledg
of about five feet in height. 1t forme,
at this place rerreating angle of perhap
four feet in width One of the men he'll
a dark lantern, and by its aid they wer
thoroughly examining the place. Thei
talk wasi very low, almost in whispers
but word now and then reached tho wid
open ears OF the spy. The following i
the substance Of what he heard
'-here-'
should think
'Yes-angle Of rock -
you see, Due north from
sOf cnnrse ---alIya Va find n