The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-01-27

tlHles. ne shiu, anu tnen huueu. "Dlu
you say the old man kept museumY
Have you seen II 2 DO you think could
get look at III
The questions were put one after the
other In quick succession, as though he
were eager and anxious about something.
/ said Eyes" to each but was surpris-
ed at the good English iu which he now
spoke and at the refinement which marks
ed his manners. Still could make moth
ing of It.
pass over the next few days, as they
brought forth no new incident. The
gardener had stuck to his contract with
the landlord, and 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 in earnest conversation
In a retired lane.
After supper, one night, took the
gardener to the barn-llke 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 Won
der could take in any more cotton or
flax And 1t is just possible" he con-
tinued, " that he has way of taking out
the stufIlug after the skin has become
set and hard-a thing worth knowing,
should Think
When we got to the house, the old man
came to the door, closing if after him.
Being asked If he would allow the gard
ener to see his collection of preserved
animals, he at first seemed perplexed,
and saying, I'll ask my son." he went
in, leaving us outside. Shortly he re-
turned and said : A." 1t is not convenient
to enter the room tonight, as it is being
cleaned and the contents rearranged
but if your friend will come tomorrow
highland come alone, he shall see over
it,"
We agreed and came away. 1 was at
a loss to account for the condition i'm
posed, but my companion was set up
with the arrangement.
Next night came, and the gardener set
off on his errand. j was all impatience
for his return. But when he came back
he seemed unwilling to relate the result
of his adventure, simply saying, I'm
in no humor for talk to- might L III relate
what I've seen and said, to morrow"
My friend had got on well with his
gardening. His potatoes and onions,
his turnips and carrots had been got in;
and it was clear that if the next two days
should prove fine he would finish the
job on the Saturday night.
On Friday night he came to me in the
kitchen, in corner of which was read
ing, and asked me to take short walk
with him. 1 got up and went. The
night was fine, but dark. We walked in
the direction of the museum. He asked
me il could keeps secret for day or
two. Replying in the affirmative, he
said he had strong suspicion that the
old naturalist or his son was no better
than he should be that he was sure he
or they knew more about the late rob-
berries than other folks, and that he be-
lieved if he had a few shillings which
he could call his own, he could come at
the truth, and concluded by asking me
to lend him sovereign for a few days.
1 agreed, for begun to feel an unae-
countable curiosity growing within me.
We had not walked far before we met
the naturalist's son, apparently by APP
pointment for my companion told him
that had promised him loan, and
that therefore, he would be at his fathers
house next day and make purchase
We parted and came home.
About the middle of Saturday after
noon he set off, and in less than an hour
he came back, bearing tolerably sized
parcel. Giving me the signal as he pass
ed me, 1 Joined him in the back yard.
He said: "I'm on the track of the
thieves, 1 believe. Last night, but one,
on reaching the house, and while look
ing over the museum, the old man said
that his son was rather short of money /;
but having exchanged a frame of moths
and few birds for lot of provisions, If
would buy some of the latter, 1 might
sell them at a profit; or they would keep
me in eatables for while, and the sale
would relieve his son. / agreed to buy
! if could raise the money. Now, am
not without cash, but it would not have
done to say SO; hence 1 agreed to ask
you for loan. Well, I've got LOT of
things today dirt cheap, which l really
believe belong to one of the late robber-
les. l 90 hence tomorrow on the sly,