The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-03-30

elton was a very liberal fellow although
somewhat hasty. 1t turned out that Ii
pifering had taken place that night, no
did any occur for two or three nights ai
ter, fact which Mr.. Gisser attribute,
to the influence of Mr.. Baselton's vigil
lance. lie took great interest in the cx
hibitor's plans, and paid him several com
plimepts which the latter received will
but Indifferent grace, having reasons tha
the other knew not Of for thinking bu
modestly Of this same vigilance,
One morning, little while after th,
fruitless watch, Mr. Baselton was in
bad temper, for he had sustained iresl
loss He was leaning against pillar
some distance from his counter, thought
fully biting the end Of his pencil case
when a man spoke to him. He looked
round at the sound, and saw police con
stable, whom he very much disliked fol
his apathy and unbusiness.liko ways
standing close by him. lie growled ou
some hardly civil words, and turned from
the man, but the latter was not to be
daunted.
Il am afraid you have had loss
sir, said the man, "and | hope it is moi
very serious; but, at any rate, should
like a word or two with you"
What for ?" retorted Baseton. al
have lost gold watch. and as [ have
not brcathcd syllable about it t, a soul
| don't see how you could know anything
OF it, unless some OF your lively force
have
"You are too severe, Mr. Baselton, y
said the other, finding he stopped "you
are indeed, sir Now, sir, have my
opinion about these robberies, and
think | have found out the order the
thief works in, and can pretty well guess
in what quarter he will next try. be.
lieve can catch him."
"You ~ exclaimed Baselton, with an
emphasis which was an, hing but com.
pllmentary to the officer
YES, sir" replied the man, firmly, 81
can You have good deal of influence
with the authorities, aad if you will ask
| shall be taken of regular duty and de.
tailed for special service ; and can then
catch him."
"Well, tell me your plans" said Ba-
selton, land in return will tell you
this you know there are fifty pounds Of.
fered on the quiet for the apprehension
OF the thief. Find him and will make
it huhdred"
The constable smiled, and lowering his
voice, spoke to the exhibitor in whispers
When he had finished Basel.on slapped
his hand on the counter with force that
Jared every article around, and exclaim.
ed, You are right. Are you on duty ?"
mo, sir" said the man.
"Then you shall be-
The application for the constable's S
change of duty was doubtless made, for
he disappeared from his accustomed pa.
troll.
During the next day or two Baseton
became loquacious on the subject, and in
conversation with Mr. Glisser. who took
very kindly interest in the matter, owned
hat he had changed his opinion about
he manner Of the robberies. He was
he said, that if the thief had
come by night,he would have been caught
Oug tofO,., L~. .L~. e-o-yLsdy was on
.he wrong scent, and that the thefts were
really committed in the hustle of closing
for the evening, and then not being found
'ut till the morning, it was naturally sup.
posed that the thief came in the night.
Mr., Glisser was very much struck by this
view. which he commended highly and
Urged increased vigilance about the time
poken Of.
While this was going on, there had
,een no fresh depredations from the coun-
ers, and Constable Lowcifle had been alb.
tent from duty, although no one seemed
o have noticed it. When the visitors
departed at the close of the dag, all the
Interior Of the building became depress.
ng enough, as the light faded away, and
here were no places more spectral in
heir aspect than those where clustered
most closely the white statues which were
beautifully sprinkled about. Nymphs,
Venuses, Bacchuses, and Apollos, Grecian
hunters, scriptural and NEUROLOGICAL fig.
lres, all looked equally ghostly in their
linn white, when the twilight or night had
allen upon them. So in the gray of the
all the statuary looked mystic
md unearthly enough, as the stony fig.
Tres looked down from their pedestals
'ut none looked more sepulchral than did
/ tall, shceted figure which occupied
PEDESTAL slightly screened-come from
which direction the visitor might--by two
'r three large groups. This figure might
lave been taken in the distance, and il
he dim light, for Jewish priest, or a
Druid, or anything of the kind but had
my one come near enough to inspect, it
would have been seen that the long robe
vas Of linen, moi stone, and that the face
Vas less that Of an ancient hero than a
modern one. And what was rather
trange,this particular pedestal was empty
Nj day, and only occupied at pight.
Standing at this particular spot any
me could see in every direction for con.
iderable disatnce, aud there was scarcely
my hiding place near the Druid on his
pedestal had no doubt reckoned on these
acts having great weight with the mar.
luder Several nights had gone by and
10 discovery made, yet Ned Lowcliffe
'rept silently to his selected station and
'ssuming his disguise as the sbrouded
tatue, patiently watched all through the
darkness ; SO patiently, that no one not
lose enough to touch him could have i'm.
lgined that he differed from the efiigies
Iround.
1t was yet comparatively early in his
watch. on a certain night, and a young
noon threw just sufficient light here and
here to make everything more uncertain
han usual, when Lowcliffe, finding him.
elf little cramped from standing so
ong in one position, prepared to make
me Of the guarded shifts he was forced to