The Portland daily press., 1875-01-23
A Living Statue.

A LIVING SLaLuee
In the height of the Exhibition season of
1872 there was a great deal of unpleasantness,
mystery, and suspicion generally in the In
dustrial Palace by constant succession of
petty robberies, which took place nearly
every night in the best stalls. Articles of
value were stolen from drawers and boxes !;
money lett by stall-keepers often went, unless
very securely slowed away; but the depreda-
tors did not venture on taking many 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 committed by some person or per-
sons Connected with the Exhibition was also
beyond doubt. Watches had qeen set,
traps had been LAID over and over again, but
all in vain. When too much had been done
in the way of planting watchmen, no robber-
les took place at all; and when articles had
been purposelY lett, apparently fol- gotten, but
in reality fixed by minutest wires to bells
which sounded at the slightest touch, they
were left untouched. 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, he came upon an exhibit
tor and his staff OF assistance. who were
grouped around box which was open before
them, and at which they were looking with
apparent interest. 4 va
"Good morning Mr.. Baselton," said the
officer; ga very fine day we are likely to
have"
"Fine day, Sir! And very find night we
have had, too, suppose" retorted the ex-
hibitor, in a tone Jess pleasant than that in
which he he had been addressed. Here's
pretty affair! Seven pounds worth of Scotch
pebbles set in sver-brooches, earrings, and
so forth-the whole of them clean gone"
The Sergeant, with expressions of regret,
said he would see the officer who had been
ON duty. Mr.. Beselton professed to hav lost
all confidence in the Police, and asserted that
if he were to watch, the thief would certainly
be discovered the very first night.
II wish you would try, them said the
Sergeant; II would obtain permission to
watch with you; and if you can suggest any
thing fresh, will gladly support yon."
Although, when he made this last asser-
ton, Mr. Baselton probably meant nothing
at all, vet, after little talk with the officers
the desire OF finding tie thief, and his belief
in his own acuteness, were strong enough to
make hem 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 il was
impossible to say what time of the night the
robbery was committed.
Strict silence was enjoined on either side.
and observed by the Sergeant entirely, and
by Mr.. Baselton pretty well, as he only mem
toned his plan to Mr.. Chatenoux at the
French stall just by, and to his neighbors, Mr..
Hynks and Mr.. Carrables. MIR. Carrabfes, by
the way, was not there that morning; so Bas-
elton told Mr.. Glisser, Mr.. Carrables' fore
man, instead, who, in a becominsly sympa-
thizing 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 nearly tired of being on his feet.
'Now," said Sergeant, unconsciously
dropping his voice as he spoke, 1--WE viii take
up our quarters. If we can only get there
unperceived, have arranged what l think
you will find pretty god corner"
All right" returned the exhibitor, in the
same guarded tone; and they stole noslessly
on, passing, once or twice, a constable; but
the presence of the Sergeant of course pre-
vented all.questioning. Some large boxes left.
apparently by accident, at the angle of the
stall, were in reality placed so that they
formed an almost perfect screen; and, with
out any reason to suppose than they had
been noticed, they slipped in and sat down.
Presently the moon rose; and as it
climbs higher, and its light grew stronger, the
building became visible throughout with a
light which was most unearthly and ghostly
in its character. This impressed itself very
much upon Baselton.
81 had no idea, Sergeant" he whispered to
the officer, ''that the place was such a
strange, cemeteryish sort of spot as it is. 1
must own, should not like to be on duty
here all night. However, have brought
some little refreshments with me, so let us
Ia l,la - -- In cilpnfo
they ate and drank; and in silence, save for
the Ginning OF the clock, or the occasional
tread of policemen, The hours crept or. The
policemen passed within couple of yards of
the watchers repeatedly, but whether they
knew of their presence or not, Baselton could
not judge. The length and WEAKNESS of the
hours grew at last intolerable to him, and see
ing that the Sergeant was as cool and widea-
wake as when they first entered their lair, he
whispered, Il feel terribly drowsy, Sergeant;
I always do about this time. Five minutes
nap will make me as fresh as daisy. Rouse
me up if you hear anything before that time"
His companion smiled, and, in the same
subdued tone, gave the promise.
Nothing did happen requiring Mr.. Basel
toms presence either before or after the expir-
alton of five minutes, although the officer
stealthily looked out hundred times during
the night. At last the darkness thinned
away, and then, after short gray twilight,
dawn came, and the Sergeant shook Baselton
by the shoulder.
Eyes, yes; am ready" stammered the
exhibitor, then opened his eyes very wide in
deed: "Why, les daylight! [ must have
'lept'-
Yes. of course you have" interrupted the
other, 'bat let us 60 out qutely. l don't
mind our men seeing us, of course; but 9TH
ers need know nothing of our watoh.'
Il think the less your men or anybody else
know about the way we kept our watch the
BETTER" said Mr.. Baselton, as they left the
counter; Fin fact shall regard it as friend
ly thing If you say nothing about it."
The Sergeant smiled, bvt kept his own
counsel; and it may be limited that Baselton
was very liberal fellow, although somewhat
hasty. 1t turned out that no pilfering had ia
en- place that night, nordid any occur for two
or three nights after. fact which Mr.. Glisser
attributed to the influence of Mr.. Baselton's
vigilance. He took great interest in the ex-
hibitor's plans. and paid him several compli-
ments, which the latter received with but in
different grace, having reasons that the 9th
er knew not of for thinking but modestly of
this same vigilance.
One morning, a while after ther fruitless
watch, Mr.. Baselten was in very bad tenn
per, for be had sustained a fresh loss. He
was leaning against pillar, some short dis
lance from his coulter, thoughtfully biting
the end OF his pencil-case, when a man spoke
to him. He looked round at the sound, and
saw Police constable, whom he very much
dfsliked for his apathy and urbusiness-like
ways, standing close by him. He growled
out some hardly civil words, and turned from
the man, but the latter was not to be daun-
ted.
81 am afraid you have had a loss, Sir"
said the man, land hope it is not very seri-
Gus; but, at any rate, should like word or
two with you"
''What fol % retorted Baseton. 81 have
lost gold watch, and as l have not brealhed
syllable about it to soul, don't see how
you could know anything of it, unless some
of your lively force have"---
You are too severe, Mr.. Baselton," said
the other, finding be stopped; "you are in
deed, Sir Now. Sir, l have my opinion
about these robberies, and l think | have
found out the order the thief works in, and
can pretty well guess in what quarter he will
next try. l believe can catch him."
"Youp exclaimed Baselten, with an en-
phasis which ways anything but compliment
tary to the officer.
eyes, sir,' replied the man firmly; 81 can.
You have good deal OF influence with the
authorities, and if you will ask, shall be ia
ken off regular duty, and detailed fer special
service and can then catch him."
s.Well Tell me VOur plansn said Raselton: