The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1875-11-18

tall sheeted figure which occupied ped
estal slightly screened-come from which
direction the visitor might-by two or
three large groups. This figure might
have been taken in the distance, and in the
dim light, for a Jewish priest, or Druid,
or anything of the kind; but had any one
come near enough to inspect, it would have
been seen that the long robe was Of linen,
not stone, and that the face was less that
of an ancient hero than modern one.
And what was rather strange, this partlcu-
lar pedestal was empty all day, and only
occupied at night.
Standing at this particular spot, any one
could see in every direction for consider
able distance, and there was scarcely any
hiding-place near; the Druid on his ped
estal had no doubt reckoned on these facts
having great weight with the marauder.
Several nights had gone by and no discov-
cry made; and yet Ned Lowcliffe crept
/ silently to his selected station, and assum-
ing his disguise as the shrouded statue,
patiently watched all through the dark
ness; so patiently that no one not close
enough to touch him could have imagined
that he differed from the efigies around.
1t was yet comparatively early in his
watch on certain night, and a young
moon threw just sufficient light here and
there to make everything more uncertain
than usual, when Lowcliffe, finding him
self little cramped from standing so long
in one position, prepared to make one Of
the guarded shifts he was forced to indulge
in during the evening; but just as he COM
menced carefully to draw one leg behind
the other, he stopped, rolled his eyes eag-
erly around, and then remained SO motion
less he scacely breathed. With a step al
most noiseless-but not quite SO for such a
listeners cara man glded round the
angle of counter close by, and standing
close by Lowcliffe, paused, stopped, looked
round the floor in every direction, then sat
upon an adjacent pedestal, and leaning
against the legs of Hercules, listened. If
theprocess of Precipitation were not wholly a
silent one, Lowcliffe would have been be-
trayed, for the cold beads came upon his
forehead as he saw how near he was to a
discovery. The man was sitting on the very
next pedestal, block which almost touched
his own. There he waited quietly for
while, not very long. but long enough to
assure himself that no patrol was coming
that way then he rose, and in few steps
was at the nearest counter, and had tried
key in the lock ), one or two attempts failed,
but at last door opened, and his head and
shoulders were lost to sight; he reappeared
with a small box, which he placed on the
ground before him, ana then tried one or
two keys Again the lock yielded, the lid
was thrown back, and a few articles were
rapidly transferred to the mans S pocket.
Some object, however, seemed unknown
to him, and he held it up against the dim
light, endeavoring to make out what it
was. To his horror, one of the statues
sprang from its pedestal toward him. 1t
was instantaneous, but the flash was
enough; the figure all in white moved,
and leapt upon him then, with a fearful
yell, which rang from end to end of the
building the thief fell in fit upon the
floor. Alarmed by the scream, two or three
officers were speedily at the spot, and turn
ing on their lanterns, were nearly as much
astonished in their turn to see white
sheeted figure standing by the side Of the
man in convulsions.
When their monetary surprise had
ceased upon their discovering who the
sheeted figure was, they proceeded to un-
fasten the PROSTATE mans scarf and collar,
sprinkled him with water, and lifted him
from the ground; his struggles ceased,
and few long breaths announced his
| coming to"
| II don't know him." said one Of the con-
stables.
| al do, though !' exclaimed Lowcli6e.
"Well of all the parties as l could have
supposed, l ever could have supposed
him. Why it's that blessed Glisser-from
the next s. old Baselton a fellow that
looks as ii .u er wouldn't melt in his
mouth"
"Where am I?-who are you?' asked
the miserable culprit.
ooh, we are particular friends Of yours"
returned the officer.
"But saw--I saw one of those things
move," said the man, looking timidly
around with dreadful shuddef. Lowcliffe
had stripped off his white raiment by this
time, and so did not shock the wretched
Glisser's eyes. t-.
"We will tell you all about that in the
morning." said the constable. ''What you
have got to do is to come along with us"
It was so-he had 70 "come along" and
directly the exhibitors and their staff mus
tered into the building the intelligence
few like wild fire that Mr.. Glisser was in
custody for breaking into the stalls OF
I, nights.
It was shock to large circle Of his ac-
Fl 4udiltHiiceS aHu huiuifeIS, WHO cOulu naru-
ly believe it and when on..his lodgings be-
ing searched, the bulk Of the articles miss
ing from the counters was found, the thing
seemed more Incredible still. Mr.. Basel,
son WAS especially sstil.shsi, because ne
!, had made quite a confident Of the young
man. and had the modification of remem-
i berins, how he himself had revealed to MIR.
Glisser the various plans for detecting the
thief; and that, if it had not been for
Lowcliffe insisting on the Notwithstanding
lbe nilferiny to the afternoon instead of the