Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-01-09

ger IN the gray coat had reached for the pie
lures, and was unceremOnIously striking off
the splendid gilt frames with his stout cane.
mercy! Stop! What are you dOing?"
Mrs Bamber ran nimbly to his side and ar
rested his hand.
Il don't want these frames" said the
stranger, eontemptuously. you set your
own price, and i will give you five thousand
dollars"
Mrs Bamber sank down on a stool i'm
speeches. astOnishment How unreal every
thing had become-the snowy street, the
shop, the man in gray coat! Surely Nanny
would soon tap on her bedroom door and tell
her IL was time 10 get up. Then, by a sud
den and not unnatural transition of awaken
ing, she became suspicious and vigilant.
Her visitor wasted no superfiuOus words;
his broad ruddy face betrayed not n trace of
emotion as he produced crisp bit OF paper.
dipped pen into Mrs Bamber's ink, and
began to write.
Z" If you are not cheating me- let me see the
money" interposed Mrs. Bamber. sharply.
He wiped the pen, restored ii to q silver
sheath in his pocket, and took up the draft.
Very goOd,' was his sole comment, and
he went out.
Mrs. Bamber laughed Historically. Would
he ever return? Perhaps he was a maniac.
1t seemed an hour before he returned, and
counted out pile broad shining gold pieces
that made pleasant clinking music as they
fell in a glittering heap. Five thousand dol
lars!
Still phlegmatic and apparently unmovet.
the purchaser folded the pictures beneath his
ample cloak, and returned to the StOncpOrt
Hotel. where he was the solitary guest. Once
n his chamber his reserve melted; he beamed
broad smiles, and rubbed his hands with
Subdued chUckle Of triumph.
:" Dirt cheap" he said To himself. and fell
10 studying the dim canvas with the aspect
Of a cOnnO!sseur. He then wrote the follow
'' 10 the RirAi HonOrnBls the Earl Of H:
MY LORD: j have the satisfaction Of informing
years search in the states They in the posses
ZION Of an ignorant woman, keeping shop III an oh
scure town of the New England coast VINO sold them
to me for tIpO. The pictures undoubtedly the
missing originals Of Raffaelle Sanzio. and will
plete yonr i9TdShIp collection / tracked the ltal-
ian, Luigi Carnoe, to the haunts Of his in the
city Of New York, and was obliged to proceed with
been acuaed by revenge in the theft of the pictures
Your lor,lshp will be better able to determine than
am whether this revenge was loyal attachment To
the palace Of his master the duke, and consequent
rag at Ihe dispersion OF IT'S works OF art To foreign
Iahds, OF more strictly personal motive He made
no effort here to sell the pictures originals deal
ers or private individuals and after qnarrcl with
with another Italian. Pursuit led me across the
ian, wandering musician only to learn that lac had
parted with Luigi CaTnoe six months before, IN the
in poverty and bad health, and l able TO follow
his steps to my present locality where he died
return TO England 10y the next mail. / have the
honor TO subscribe myself.
want ALGERNoN SMITH :"
Mrs. Platt sat in her best parlOr, her eyes
swollen with weeping, and the curtains
drawn to exclude the curious glances of
StOnepOrt. She held fast the hands of her
the stroke OF the clock. The young people
gaZed sadly at each other across the black
figure of the mother, who was attired as if
for funeral. Would Hiram briggs reent
and give more time? Was 10 not probable
that he would appear and claim all? The
young man could only chafe athis own help
leSsness in the emergency and inability TO
protect his own.
The sound of flying feet made them all lis
ten. Mrs. Bambcr, breathless and without a
bonnet, rushed into the paTlOr and cast a
leather purse down in Mrs. Platt'S lap.
"Oh, YOU needn't count il! I've done so 2
dozen times already. Here's five thousand
dollars and the house is saved
Between laughter and tears she explained
her unexpected wealth. and restored it To
the wife of her benefactOr of years ago. Then
a shadow crossed her face, just dimming it's
brightness for a moment. Much could have
been done TO advance the interests OF BAN
ber's Drops, and place the remedy properly
before an enlightened public with the aid of
this money. She pluckCd Charley's sleeve
in the midst of the thanks which overpoWer-
ed all coherent speech, and said, tremulous-
ly,
''YOu will not forget the Drops when YOU
receive your diploma, Will you. tharey"r
Neither the Drops nor my debt returned
Charley. in an unsteady voice.
Then Mrs Bamber, through mist OF tears
saw Charlotte Eaton rise, tall and proud. and
take the purse from Mrs. Plat, for Hiram
briggs stood on the threshold.
Thus a humble little woman placed her gift
on the altar of the New Gear.-HCEpeT's
U'1fEiH,