Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-01-14

made a desperate ottemptto gain possession
ofit2
al Sec | wonder what really did be-
come Of it2"
Father came to the conclusion that it
must have been stolen from his brothers
trunk on board ship, after his death. But
he always kept the trunk and its contents
very carefully, and enjoined on me to do the
same, though it has been ransacked again
and again, aud every article il contains thor
oughly examined
"Aud where is it uow2"
Up stairs in the little third-story back
room. Don't you remember it--a middle
sized sole.leather trunk. with $. G.. marked
on it2"
al tell you what, Patience" | said,
sprnging up, " mean to have a look at
the contents Of that trunk early tomorrow
morning"
What nonsense, Addie Don't | tell
you that everything in it has been thor
oughly examined hundreds of times2"
Well, then, it will do no harm to exam
inc them several hundred-and time.
But was not that a ring at the bell ? Yes,
indeed ? Here comes my trunk, Patience.
want to show you my Christmas gifts
and | have knit you such a pretty shawl. "
And in the unpacking and examination Of
my little stock Of treasures the remainder
Of the evening passed swiftly away, and
there vas no further question Of Stephen
Carr or the lost jewels. But ! had not re-
linquished my purpose, and as soon as the
breakfast things were put away the next
morning assailed Patience anew "Where
is the key of Stephen Carr's trunk2 |
know you mean to be closeted with Nora
for an hour at least experimenting the
stuffing of that turkey so, unless you
wish me to die of eunui during your absence,
you might as well let me amuse myself af-
ter my own fashion"
Curiosity, thy name is-Adelaide Carr J"
laughed Patience as she went to her desk
to look for the key. Here it is. And
put on a shawl Addie: there is no FIRE in
the room, aud do not want you to catch
cold"
"And if find the fortune ?"
" Bring it down stairs and show it TO me,
that is, if it is not too heavy for you to
carry"
SO Patience disappeared, laughing, in the
direction of the kitchen, aud bastened to
put on my heavy cloth travelling sacque,
aud made my way to the third-story back
room--a little dingy apartment used as a
lumber-room, and half filled with old trunks,
broken furniture, discarded pictures in
fact, all the rubbish which collects in old
houses, aud which, though considered too
good to throw away, is usually mere useless
lumber. An old picture, the portrait Of
some forgotten friend or distant relative Of
our parents or grandparents, leaned against
the wall, and seemed to leer at me out Of
its faded eyes with look of mockery and
Encouragement. An old high clock in the
corner, Jared probably by my step on the
floor, started suddenly into a wheezy series
of ticks, and then was silent again. The
air of the shut up room smote coldly upon
my senses, and chilled me despite my warm
wrappngs. Gathering my dress about me
picked my way across the floor, avoiding
sundry Jagged nails and broken trunk-cor
ners and soon stood in front OF the trunk
marked as. c." STOPPING, l fitted thu
key to the lock it turned slowly anc
crcakingly, and with an eager yet trem
bling hand flung back the lid. No sud
den glow of gold or jewels flashed from thu
interior. A quantity of masculine habili
ments, carefully folded, greeted my eyes
and strong odor OF campnor assailed my
} nose. That was all.
took the things out one by one, unfold
ing each article as did SO, and scrutiniz
ing it carefully. Old.fashioned shirts, yel
low as saffron coats from which every yes
tige Of the lining had been ripped in tn
, search for the hidden wealth trouser
/ with the pockets turned inside out stock
J ings not rolled in compact balls, bu
stretched out at full length, such wer,
the uppermost things in the old trunk
Underneath lay pair or two of boots, {
small dressing-case covered with Russii
leather, a small fat work-box containing
two spools, one of black silk and one o.
white thread, lump Of wax scored By
passing threads, needle-book shaped lik'
butterfly, and pair of scissors) and
writing case, also covered with Russii
] leather, took this last to the light ant
e carefully examined it, in the vague hop
r that it might contain some fragment o
! writing, some entry in cipher perhaps, tina
T might prove clew to the mystery. Vail
hope The stained blotting paper, tn
t shabby pen-holder, the rusty penknife re
veaed nothing; and all written papers ha
y been removed long ago, had there indee
}. ever been any. The dressing-case and tn
e work.box were alike unfruitfu of disco,
f cries. The heels Of the boots had been Gu
n of and cut in pieces, and | found tn
n fragments lying at the bottom of the trunl
r And the trunk bottom itself had been spl
d open and pried apart, in search for a falls
: compartment doubtless. Truly, Garrett
:, searchcrs had been before me; where wa
s the marvel if | failed to find anythiDg2
}. Slowly and reluctantly folded and rt
e placed the scattered garments in the trunl
aid the work-box, writing.case and dres'
e ing case on top of them, closed the lie
r turned the key, and putting it in m
d pocket ran down stairs, resolved to forge
e old Stephen Carr and his belongings.
o The afternoon was spent, as we ha
}, planned, at the theatre, and in the evenin
l. it was agreed that Patience should rea
IT aloud whilst | sewed. had piece
20 6nery that needed renovating-a blac
cloth coat, the shabby fringe of which
is was going to replace with fresh and ney
/ fashioned fur trimming-an was anxiol
l. to get it done that might look my best
g. church the ensuing Sunday. got out N
A. work, and my good sister produced a thic
le promsing-lookiDg novel.
d "What have you got there, Patience
Ie But stop. Before you begin, can you le;
Is me piece of wax 2"
re al have not bit in the house."
D, How provoking This black silk ia
70 giles and knots so when it is not wake
le Patience, there is a nice ball of wax |
lg stairs in old Stephen Cars work-box.
II you think his ghost would come after n
ID were | to 90 up after it ?"
Or "For three cents | will insure "
Mt against all ghosts"
is Done I'll send you the three cen
III in the shape Of a postage.stamp on the We
90 next letter write you. Where's the ca
c. die? | have the trunk-key still in n
De pocket"
no So up | went, and soon returned wi
ar the yelowsh ball Of thread.scored wax
1fT my hand. Then We sat down, and for son
"a. ,;..a ,ha ,york and tho roadino nrncaad