The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-06

| tneul' reCOlleCtbu mat DtuCe was tue
name Of the dog, and wonder" that Of
the lamb, In the museum before spoken
Of; and the other terms, judged, referred
TO the materials with which they were
stuffed; but ] could not sec why they
should speak in 30 low tone as they did
when they spoke Of them. 0nce or twice
they referred 10 bird by some slang
phrase. But alter events made this clear
enough.
By.and-by the weather took up, when
the men, draining their glasses, got up aud
went away. The moment they were gone
the gardner reused up, took a memoTan-
dun book out Of his pocket, and began to
write therein. lie then asked me II l
knew who the men were, aud what was
their occupation, and II | understood any OF
the words they had uttered In the lower
tone oil voice. I gave him what iniorma.
ton could. "But," said, "both they
and believed you were asleep"
ut is well 70 go into dream. land at
times" he said; and then added: "Did
you say the old man keeps o museum?
Have you seen Il? Do you think could
get look at IT."
The questions were put one after the
other in quick succession, as though lie
was eager and anxious about something.
l said Eyes" 10 each; but was surprised
at the good English In which he now
spoke, and at the refinement which mark.
ed his manners. Still could make moth
ing oft.
1pass over the next few days, as they
brought forth no remarkable incident.
The gardner had stuck 10 his contract
with the landlord, and I had been enabled
TO get on with my work. The four men
did not again visit US; but as went on
with my carving, l saw first one and then
another Of them pass my place. And once
saw them all in earnest converse In q re-
tired lane.
After supper one night took the gard
ener TO the barn.like habitation OF the old
naturalist. As We went along, he asked
me TO take particular notice Of the dog
and the lamb. "For," said he, ~ was
struck with the questions one OF the men
put as to whether Bruce and Wonder
could take In any more cotton or lax
And It is Just possible" he continued,
that he hasa way Of taking out and put
ting In the stutling after the skin has be-
come set and bard; thing worth know
ing, 6h0uld think"
When We got to the house the old man
came TO the door, closing It after him. Be.
Ing asked II he would allow the gardener
10 see over his collection Of preserved Rn-
finals, he at first seemed perplexed. and
saying, "pll see my son." he went in,
leaving us outside. Shortly he returned,
and said, at is not convenient TO enter
the room tonight, as 1t Is being cleaned
and the contents re-arranged; but II your
friend will come tomorrow night, and
come alone, he shall see ever Il"
We agreed, and came away. l was at q
loss 10 account for the condition imposed;
but my companion was set up with the
arrangement
Next night came, and the gardner set of
on his GRAND. was all Impotence for
his return. But when he came back he
seemed unwilling to relate the result oil
his adventure, simply saying, "l'm In no
humor to talk tonight; III relate what
I've seen and said tomorrow"
My friend had got on well with his gar
dening. His potatoes and onions, his
turnips and carrots, had been got in; and
II was clear that II the next two days
should prove fine, he would finish the Job
on the Sunday night,
On Friday night he came 10 me In the
kitchen, In corner OF which was read.
ing, and asked me to take short walk with
him. gotup and went The night was
| fine, but dark. We walked In the direc.
ton OF the museum. lie asked me II
could keep secret for day or two. Re-
pling in the affirmative, he said he had
strong suspicion that the old naturalist or
his son was no better than they should be;
that he was sure he or they knew more
about the late robberies than other folks;
and that he believed Il he had a few
shiIllngs which he could call his own, no
could comeNt the truth, and concluded by
asking me to lend him o sovereign for a
few days. agreed, for had begun TO
feel an unaccountable curiosity growing
within me.
We had not walked far before we met
the naturalist's son, apparently by APP
pOlntment; Tor my companion told him
that had promised him loan, and that
therefore he would be NJ his fathers
house next day aud make purchase. We
parted and came home.
About the middle OF Saturday afternoon
he set of, and in less than an hour he
came back, bearing tolerably sized par
Gel. Giving me signal as he passed me,
joined hin in the back yard. He said:
ri am on the track Of the thieves, be-
lleve. Last night but one, on reaching
the house. and while looking over the mu.
seum, the old man said that his son was
rather short OF money, but having ex.
changed u frame Of moths and few birds
Tor lot Of provisions, Il would buy some
OF the latter might sell them at a profit,
or they would keep me in eatAbles for 4
while, and the sale would relieve his son.
! agreed 10 buy II could raise the money.
Now | am not without cash, but 1t would
not have done 10 say so; hence | agreed
to ask you for loan. Well, I've got n lot
Of things to-day dirt cheap, which l really
believe belong to one Of thOlAt robbGries
go hence tomorrow on the sly, but on
Monday you may look for my return"
Giving me playful dig In the side, he left
me. His absence during the night and
day after surprised the landlord, but
said nothing.
4 was all impatienceuntil Monday came.
1t came at last, was busy at my cary.
Ing, when heard q well.know voice hail
me from below. On looking down from
my stage, whom should see IN the TOAD
beneath, smiling oil the iaGO over, hut my
old friend the gardener In pollGeman's
uniform! The truth flashed through me
In y moment. went down. GRsping
my baud, he said, "The secrets out, you
see! Come along with me aud see tue
upshot."
! was about TO witness a tle,lo4ausnl /
had not lcoEed for. Upthe road were q
couple Of policemen. My old companion
was the chief, being sergeant OF police.
He led the way to the museum, and was
first to enter,
"Good morning, old friend, {" he said, on
ennouptpEing the naturalist. give come
70 take awsYa 10y more parreIs Of your
cheap provisions"
saw that the old gardener was detect.
cd In tho speaker, aad that the game was
seen TO be up. The old mans son rushed
70 the door and scrambled Cd, only, how.
ever, TO TALL into the clutches Of one Of tho
officers who were on the watch. The old
man was utterly helpless, and almost DO.
side himself. Sinking into his chair,
he CRIED oEt, "l'm not the thief; the
thieves Dire htEt,H pointing 10 TIC door,
; and meaning, could SOC, lis son aud hii
! coptedsratOs, though they were mot pres
We went into the Inuselai. The fra
thing the old gardener-Rs shall still cal
htm-Sld was % take hold OF Bruce
Thiie ~ desired one Of his comrades "a
lay hold O. Wonder" On moving them
noise OF loose metal was heard. a mo
ments examination sufiiced 70 reveal thl
] shnEnt In tho a q oltln ~ onaL ,anIr.nl /.