The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-06-22

the room within, that answered for
dining room and patlor, though looking
little enough like either, and then placed
his humble vtctuals upon it, grumbling
all the time at the insolence OF his
guests, which he thought ii best not to
resent openly. gHehsd observed them
closely during bis conversation, and
saw that they were city men, rather
young, with immense black mustaches,
stylish clothes. and snowy rings and
breastpins. When the host announced
the repast as ready, one Of them said :
/ "Wsll, We'll attend TO II. We sha'n't
want youlfor d few minntes.p,
Johnson could not misunderstood 80
broad q hint, and accordingly Withdrew,
but notvery far. These were guests of
q very unusual kind, and seemed 10
have plenty Of mohey. They were eyi-
IDENTIFY from New York (; and what bust
ness could they have in this unire-
quented place9 Tho old mans occu-
patton had mado him sly and watchfpl,
and his curiosity was SO much excited
blythe appearance Of this partythat he
resolved to watch them, aud try to find
out their business. So closing the door
after him he walked into the next room
with some noise and then tip,toed si.
lently back and listened. The strangers
were evidently hungry, for by the
sounds that he heard he Judged that
they we're making short work Of the re.
past. Presently he heard q murmur Of
conversation, but no could not catch .
word Of II. BE put down his head and
crowded his ear as far as he could getit
into the angle formed by the door and
the casing, and-could he believe II?
The word q Jewell" was plainly spoken
by one Of them, and then he heard
something about money" and he was
quite sure the word "hidden " was also
used. Twas 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 was electrified. Guesses
aud suspicious Of the nature Of the
g business that had brought these
men here flashed upon him, and hints
Of the true Interpretation to be
given 10 some remarkable and puz.
cling 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 q noise
within that indicated the rising of his
guests from the table, he hurried away
to avoid discovery. -
One Of the men came out and re.
quested him to come into the room
with them for q moment. He complied,
and the door was promptly shut be-
hind him. iesl 3, 9sls
.as.Pretty good proyender this for hun:
cry men, after all, Uncle Jacob" said
one Of the men, leaning over on the
table, with his hat in his hand. "Take
that. lssS.S.t.S
He threw down o coin on the table,
and IL rang most musically in Johnson's
ears. Rang2 yes, and glittered, too.
He snatched It up and found it a FIVE
dollar gold piece.
enc mistake, my jolly old cove"
said the man, observing the landlords
look Of wonder. "Keep IL all; we'll
show you q wayto get more, il you'll
give US d little help. Isay," and he
spoke quite low, and bent his head
nearer; "have you got such thing as
a spade about here, Uncle Jacob?'
a spade ! The words thrilled through
johnson Mower Ikea charge OF elec-
tricity. He was certain now what were
the objects Of his guests. 4
"Yes, s,phe answered, with grun-
bling voice and IN unwilling manner /;
" but I don't lend II, because I've only
got one, and 5f III ,i,
"oh, bother that" interrupted the
man, impatiently. "Doyou see thisY
He held up gold eagle TO the old
man, and the latter looked at 1t -wist-
fully.
and give you that for it,
"1t'sa bargain lpcried Mower. .ln'
bring itright in"
Don't hurry; take it COOL" said
the other, throwing him the coin.
"This amt oil. Can you make mum,
old fellow and not blab? ] mean when
It's made an object foryou to'hold your
'fYass Yss, yes, a yss,, cried Mower, tren.
bling all over with excitement aiila atii
'h"Well4don't get nervous; I haven't
told you anything yet, and shan't tell
you much. Here's alive. want OF you:
never 10 tell anybody thatwe'ye been
here. We're going to quit you in two
minutes, and you're not tosfollow us,
or watch whore we go. You may have
strange mon about here in a day or
two, irving 10 find out IL 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 coyes here all summer. That's
your cue, remember. Now that's easy
enough /; can you make twenty dollars
si'ild do Il I'll do itl" Mower e1-
claimed, with alacrity. "Pll be as
secret as the graye."e ''f'i n
"Youlll tell nobody2" l0u ''1T III
"No, not o soul on my honor, mol
The aiming double eagle that the
man held tempting forth in his fingers
was transferred to the pocket Of Now
er, and the three went out Of the house.
The spade was produced and with o
parting injunction to the host to re.
member his promise, the guests plunged
into the darkness. The old man could
not see them; buthe distinctly heard
them climbing tho fence on the further
sideoi the road.
aThey're bound for Norman 5 Woods
-Iknow itlv he chuclled and with.
out moments hesitation he stealthily
followed. .f
Guided by the faint Il sound ! Of their