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

/ unpleasantness, mystery and suspicion
generated in the Industrial Palace by a
: constant succession Of petty robberies,
which-took place nearly every night at
the best stalls. Articles Of value were
stolen from drawers and boxes money
left by stall.keepers often went, unless
very securely slowed away but the dep
redators did not venture on taking any
bulky articles, or on breaking open any
receptacle which would require great
; force. They knew their risks, that was
evident and that the thefts were CON-
: mitted by some person or persons connec.
!, ted with the exhibition was also beyond
: a doubt. Watches had been set, traps
: had been laid over and over again, but
n all in vain When too much had been
done in the way Of planting watchmen, no
robberies took place at all ; and when
articles had been purposely left, appar-
emily forgotten, but in reality fixed by
the minutest wires to bells which sounded
= at the slightest touch, they were left un.
touched. The thief, if only one, always
stole, too. from places in the shade, so
that he could command view of The
more open spaces, while he himself was
unseen.
One morning, as the sergeant of police
was going his early round before the
building was opened for the day. be came
upon an exhibitor and his staff OF assist.
ants who were grouped round a box
which was open before them, and at
which they were looking with apparent
interest
Good morning, Mr.. Baselton,," said
the officer ; "a very fine day we are likely
to have"
"Finc day. sir and very fine night
we have had too, suppose" retorted the
exhibitor, in a tone far less pleasant than
that 10 which be had been addressed.
"Here's pretty affair Seven pounds
worth of Scotch pebbles set in silver
brooches, earrings, and so forth, the whole
of them clean gone
The sergeant, with expressions of re-
gret, said he would see the officer who
had been on duty. Mr. Baselton profess
ed to have lost all confidence in the DO.
lice, aud asserted that if he we're to watch
the thief would certainly he discovered
the very FIRST night
al wish you would try, then" said the
sergeant IL would obtain permission to
watch with you and if you can suggest
anything fresh, | will gladly support you"
Although, when he made this last as
sertion. Mr.. Baselton probably meant
nothing at all, yet after little talk with
the officer, the desire of finding the thief,
and his belief in his own superior acute.
ness were strong enough to make him
volunteer to watch; and it was agreed
that the sergeant should join him just as
the palace was closing at night when
they would be on the lookout directly for !
it was impossible to say at what time OF
the night the robberies were committed.
Strict silence was enjoined on either
side, and observed by the sergeant entire.
ly, and by Mr.. Baseltou pretty WE'LL as
he only mentioned bis Dlan to NJ. Chat.
enoux at the French stall just By, and to
his neighbors, Mr., Hynks and Mr.. Car.
rabies. MIR. Carrables, by the way, was
not there that morning 80 Baselton told
Mr.. Gisser, Mr.. Carrable's foreman in.
stead, who, in becoming!y sympathizing
tone, wished him success,
The evening came, the spies met, and
hung about the passages Of the vast
building until deepest twilight, and until
Baselton was pretty near tired of being
on his feet
"Now." said the sergeant, unconscious.
y dropping his voice as be spoke, "we
will take up our quarters. If we can
only get there unperceived. | have ar.
ranged what | think you will find pretty
good corner"
"All right" returned the exhibitor in
the same guarded tone; and they stole
noiselessly on, passing once or twice a
constable but the presence OF the ser.
geant OF course prevented any questioning.
Some large boxes left, apparently by &C.
cident, at the angle OF stall were in re.
atty so placed that they formed an al.
most perfect screen and without any rea.
son to suppose that they had been motto.
ed they slipped in and sat down.
Presently the moon rose ; aud as it
climbed higher and its light grew strong.
er the building became visible throughout
with light which was most unearthly
ghostly iu its character. This impressed
itself very much upon Bassellon
81 had no idea, sergeant" he whisper
ed to the officer "that the place was such
strange cemeterylsh sort Of spot as it is.
| must own | should not like to be here
on duty all night. However | have
brought some little refreshments with me
so let US make ourselves comfortable"
10 silence they ate and drank and in
silence, save for the Ginning of the clock
or the occasional tread of a policeman o the
hours crept on. The policemen passed
within couple Of yards OF the watchers
repeatedly, but whether they knew OF
their presence or not Baseiton could not
judge. The length and WEAKNESS of the
hours grew at last intolerablc to him, and
seeing that the sergeant was as cool and
wide awake as when they first entered
their lair, ae whispered, al feel terribly
drowsy, sergeant always do about this
time. Five minutes nap will make mo
fresh as daisy. Rouse me ~ if you
hear anything before that time
His companion smiled. and, in the
same susdued tone, gave the promise.
Nothing did happen requiring Mr..
BasseionS presence either before or after
the expiration Of FIVE minutes, although
the officer stealthily looked out hundred
times during the night. At last the dark.
ness thinned away, and then after a short
gray twilight, dawn came, aud the serge.
ant shook Baselton by the shoulder.
"Yes, yes, | am ready" stammered
the exhibitor, then opened his eyes very
wide indeed. why, its daylight
must have slept