Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-05-28
The ThieVing Maybe.

A tame magpie, belonging to DIR. Stew
ely. of Belfast, twas particularly fond
of any shining article, such as spoons
and trinkets. These, says our informant,
he frequently stole and we came upon his
treasure-house in a remarkable way.
There was an old gentleman, a great
friend of my fathers, who resided with
US almost continually. He was of pc
culiarly studious disposition, but from a
deformity in his person used generally
to read standing, with his arms and
breast resting on the back of chair and
the book placed before him. After hav-
ing read for while, it was his habit to
take off his spectacles, lay them beside
him, blow his nose, take pinch of snuff
and, after few moments bordering of
what he had been reading, resume the
spectacles and proceed.
One very warm day / lay reading at
the end of room in which there was an
open glass door leading to the greenhouse;
in this room the old gentleman was most
intently pursuing his studies at little
distance from me. My attention was
suddenly arrested by seeing the maybe
perched upon the chair near him, cycling
him most intently, and with very arch
expression, and at length, in an instant,
he had, with most active hop, reached
the table, secured the red leathern spec
tacle case, and was out of the glass door
with noiseless wing and with q very
graceful motion.
L remained quiet, resolved to see the
end of the joke. After few seconds alb
sence, Jack" was again at his post, eye
ing the old gentlemrn with most in
quisitive and yet business like glance.
AT length off came the spectacles, and
out came the pocket handkerchief and
snuff-box; quick as thought Jack had
visited the table and was out of the open
door with the prize, which l have no
doubt had from the beginning been the
object of his covetous admiration while
they were on the nose of the old gentle
man. This time the maybe did not re-
turn, either because he found it more
difficult to reach his store-house with the
spectacles than with the case, or because,
having gained the object of his ambition
he conceived his presence no longer nee
essary.
At length the period of Illumination
having elapsed, the old gentleman was
about replacing the spe"tacles. AS soon
as his surprise had abated at not finding
them with his hand beside him on the
table, he removed the chair and CROPPED
about on the carpet, then raised the book
and examined every part of the table
Not being able to restrain myself any
longer, l exploded in laughter, and Of
course | was instantly suspected of play
ing off practical joke and charged with
taking the spectacles, but ut length sue
ceeded in convincing him that had new.
er risen from the sofa on which | reclin.
ed. After good deal of laughing, and
two or three other members of the fami
ly having been attracted to the room BY
the hubbub, l was compelled, under
cross-eXamination, to own that / haC
witnes ed Jacks distractions.
The question then became serious how
the articles were to be recovered, anC
some person suggested to leave a tea
spoon near him and watch him. Thi;
was accordingly done, but his motions
were so rapid that he eluded us all, seem
ing at first to completely pass over thu
house. At length by placing persons il
two or three favorable positions, he wa!
marked in leaden valley between {
double part of the roof, and this having
been closely searched, deposit was dis
covered, not only of the things whicl
Jack had that day carried off, but alsC
of some articles which had been for SOM
time supposed to be lost, but respeetin!
which breath of suspicion, as to him
had never been entertained. This day.
successful foray led to his losing hi
entire store, no doubt in the midst of hi
triumphant rejoicing."- Chimney Cor
ner.
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