Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-05-18
ay as led to the belief that a gang of

live among us, or have they come from
distance:" This query was still going
from mouth to mouth, when we were
startled, astounded, indeed, by repor, of
second robbery of the same premises,
and on the night following by the break
Ing into and purloining of a provision
warehouse in our own village. Were ]
writing fiction, would not have rob
bers pay so soon a second visit to the
jewellers. as such an act would have been
deemed prcposterous, but | am relating
what really occurred, and so am forced to
say what have said.
The jeweller had been so taken up by
efforts TO find out the thieves and regain
his first loss, that he had not placed ad-
ditional guard over what was left: be-
sides, he was sure, he said, that thieves
would no, think of revisiting him for a
long time AS for the provision dealer,
he said in my hearing that he had no fear
of his place being entered, as he believed
robbers would not care to touch property
so bulky and Of such inferior value as his.
But he had reckoned without his host;
for he had lost fine ham, large lot of
tea, "A deal of spices, n few boxes of cigars,
and indeed a portion Of most Of what he
dealt in. The excitement and alarm oc-
casioned by these robberics were great
and widespread.
Two patches of detectives, one from
Lancaster and one from Kendall. came to
our village to see what they could find
out. They were not short of questions,
minded; but they took care what sort
Of questions they answered. 1t was easy
to see that one of their aims was to make
it appear that they believed the robbers
came from distance, in order to put the
thieves off their guard; for their own
opinion was the opposite of this.
No event, however serious, can keep
hold of peoples minds beyond certain
time: and these robberies were beginning
to give place TO some other subject, when
the next act OF the drama began TO be
played. 1t was on a Friday afternoon,
about a month after the robberies. The
day was wet and wild; and as my work
was the outdoor carving of stones which
had been placed in position in the rough,
| was unable to 90 on with it, and so
had 10 return TO my quarters. had got
my dinner, ard had just called for pint
of ale with my pipe, when an elderly, i'll
dressed man came in, and, sitting down
on bench beside me, said, in broad
Lancashire accent: "l'll sup wi tina, lad,
| if tha doesn't care" on which he lifted
my mug to his lips and drank freely
had not got over my surprise, when he,
wiping his mouth with his hand, gave me
the history OF the past day or two. The
account was this: He had been gentle
mans gardener, near Lancaster, over
twenty years; had a capital place, but
had not had sense enough TO keep it, for
he had gone on the loose for fortnight,
which was more than his master would
put up with, so he was discharged.
This wor day afore Yesterday he said,
IAN I've drank for vary vexation ever
sin, trampin as | drank. an so here |
am, wi dry math an wi'out a 'oppenny
i my pocket. Doesta think" he contin-
ued, ";ha can raise penny or tuppence
amans this company"
| gave him trife; Others did the same !;
and having thus raised the wind" he
called for bread, cheese and ale, and made
a good meal.
During the time the gardener had been
talking to me, the landlord had been with
in hearing: so, accosting the old man
while he was eating his dinner, he said
"You are gardener, understand :"
81 am" was the reply.
"Well," said the landlord, II have a
garden which needs fettling. / have MOI
time to attend to it myself, and as it is
time the seed was in, Ill employ you il
you are willing. Ill find you plenty tc
eat and drink; you can have bed a:
well. and if you please me I'll not see
you leave without few shillings in your
pocket. What say you:"
81 say agreed" replied the gardener
rising to his feet and grasping the land
lords hand. "I'll not begin to-morn
however; but I'll look reand an ge
riddy for Monday morn"
This proposal was satisfactory, where
fore the gardener was made happy.
Shortly afterward we had an addition
to our company by the incoming of tho
old bird -stufer, whom shall hencefortf
call the naturalist (as this designation wa.
t the one which pleased him. his son, th'