Smyrna times., 1875-02-03

them, and taking good care to ascertain their
value. All our life in that house was of sud
den changed Our poor dear father seemed to
shrink and cove: away under this despOtism.
As for me- felt that all happiness was gone,
and that | was living in prison under the
charge of jallOrs. Many were the little furt!ve
walks he took with mel being no older than
eight or ten years-when we would make our
wav guilty to the narrow lane or street. to
gaze at cutlosities which he dared not pur
chase. 1t was miserable for me, whose hand
was in his to note his wiSttul looks, and even
more miserable to see that this was but part
of his sufferings under this slavery, which
grew more and more CALLING every day.
1t was on one of these occasions that we spied
the grOtesque teapot The sight brought the
color to his cheeks, for he had nothing of that
pattern in the collection. 1t was exposed in
poor, mean little den-nOt a curiosity shop at
ala kind of huckster's place. Here the tea
pet was offered with view of finding some
purchaser who would use it for the purpose of
making tea He was enraptured with it. tie
could at least ask the price. FOur-andsix
pence worth, he said, five guineas and would
be worth double by-andby. As we went out
it was offered for three and six. 1t was very
tempting, but he resisted it then.
The next day he took me out with him for a
walk, but this was for a second inspection. He
but at last the purchase was made. Then it
was to be brought home, and then came the
difficulty. Where was it to be placed for
their Argus eyes would detect the slightest
change. But they had an instinct that some
thing was wrong. The daughter was in the
parlow window, looking up aud down the
street, while she-I always thought of her is
though she were unique, like the teapot
opened the door, and gave pOliceman-like
glance at his figure. The grOtcsque was hid
den away under his coat but great prOtuher
ance revealed its place of concea!ment. We
we're both arrested, she trembling victim
assaied by both women, and the g>otesque
confiscated on the spot as indeed all his
treasures had been already | saw them later
inspecting it curiOusy, and with eager eyes;
for they had a suspicion of its value, and after
ali trusted to his Judgment.
Indeed, latterly noticed that this pair was
inspecting the cabinets; and more than once
[ had surprised them with their heads bent
down over some little cup or figure.
One day top, | heard them talking earnestly
about some one they called 'Dimbey's nan,
and what he had said. This did not IN Ike
much impression, but in a day or two again
heard remark about Dimbley's man, to the
effect that he was coming to morrow. la or
next little walk, grown curious about the
matter, | asked my father
WHO is Dimbey's man father?'
H. started.
"Why?'' he said, what about him? What
DO you know Of him? VINO wants him?'
These questions were put quickly and with
agitation | told him what | had heard, when
he almost gave cry, aud turned sharply round
to 60 home.
II see what they are at. l suspected it.
| Thew want to sell the things.
We returned hurriedly. ii was in perfect
! fever, and when he entered few to inspect his
darling treasures, which he found all safe
though he discovered the two women busily
engaged in peering into the cabinets an1 hand
ling them cautiously. But with them was
gentlemanly and fluent parsonage, who was
! giving his opinion, and admring the collection
He read the whole situation at a glance.
The color few to his cheeks, aud with vehc
Inenca that was wholly artificial and unnatural
lie addressed the party.
4 II know well what all this means" he said
] "Pll not have it'll not allow it. 1t is rob
berry. III not part with these things but with
my life. Go away, sir" he said to the gentle.
manly man this is my property. They are
not to be valued or sold"
To DO him justice, the ggntlemanly man was
much put out at this incident, and declared
truly that he had merely come as he supposed
at MIR. CrnkIetOn's g request. And he took hi;
departure at once. Then my father turned on
them.
Let finger he laid on my treasures" ht
cried, land | will do something desperate. Ii
send than tomorrow to some museum-giv'
them away--sOoner than have them scattered
Mind, take warning, for they are part of my
life |" .
The two ladies were much taken back a
this sudden explosion, and even tried to soOth
him. But for the rest of the day he was terri
bly, excited, and the following morning wa
lying i'll in bed, with wild eyes and all tn
E symptoms of fever. A doctor was sent for L
attend him-an eminent prOcttioner-wh
looked grave. Indeed, the two ladies caugh
the reflection from his face, and looked gray
and disturbed. >it.' '..
4 was the only one whom he seemed te recoQ
. nize, though indistincty. Again there wa
fresh whispering, and inspection OF papers an
a property. Aud again his eyes peered out wis
. fully towards the door, as if he could see th
. spectral images Of his collection floating ava
. in the direction of Dimbley's. ~
He grew worse and worse. To nay inexpre,
. sible grief il one morning passed round tn
v house in mysterious way that we were to los
!. him Some one came running for nae and too
=. me by the hand to lead nae to him. Thei
20 was a piteous intelligence in his eye, and
/, gieatn of light came into il az he saw me. n
!. was moving his arm and pointing, and tryir
10 to speak.
! The lady who was his wife kept turning I
n her eyes aud haking her head, as who shou
e. say bis wits were gone. But he kept his it
le ploring glance fixed on me, making as thouI
Id he would clutch something in his hand. W
I'd sure, L could have sworn il was one OF his p
er treasures, and stOlepaway To rack my little bra
with desperate attempts. AT FIRST thought
,e. aust be. the two precious figures of q
n. Bow, representing Kitty Give and Woodwa
a Martin, as the fine lady and gentleman, ana
m returned with these in my hands. A FIRE
=. eagerness came into his eyes, and he seem
~ ~ to smile and nod his head, as though it v
nn something near what he desired. a.e a-
IS = Some curious stupidhycame over me, or v
N. il nv trouble2 for surely ought to have gds
,at ed, aud gone. out to choose some other artiC
:" 80 which should be the right one. While | v
"a taxing hurried bird s-eye glance over the G
-, lection thsyecams running to nae sgain, ant
III wss dragged in to see tbe last friend had
cd earth in his agony laa anl@.-I "sr 'A 'ril
" ~ So sxIa7 sisseoxo t0#H4"t# ~ yiR#