The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-04-29

kitchen, in a corner in which | was
reading, and asked me to take a short
walk with him. / got up and went.
The night was fine but dark. We walked
in the Objection of the museum. He
asked me If | could keep a secret for q
day or two. Replying in the affirmative,
he said he had strong suspicion that
the old naturalist or his SON was no bet
ter than he should be; that he was sure
he or they knew more about the late
robberies than other folks, and that he
believed if he had a few saillings which
he could cali his own he could come at
the truth, and concluded by asking me
to lend him sovereign for few days.
agreed, for had begun to feel an TN
accountable curiosity growing within
me. -E ~
We had not walked far before we met
the naturalist's son, apparently by ap-
polntment; for my companion told him
that 1 had promised him a loan, and
that, therefore, he would be at his
fathers house next day, and make q
purchase. We parted and came home
About the Middle of Saturday after
noon he set out, and in less than an
hour ne came back, bearing tolerable
sized parcel. Giving me a signal as he
passed me, / joined him in the back
yard. He said: "Pm on the track of
the thieves, I believe. -Lsst night but
one, on reaching the house, and while
looking over the museum, the old man
said that his son was rather short of
money, but having exchanged frame
OF moths and few birds for lot of
provisions, if / would buy some of the
latter l might sell then at profit, or
they would keep me in staples for
while, and the sale would relieve his
son. 1 agreed to buy, if 1 could raise
the money. Now, am not without
cash, but it would not have done to say
50; hence l agreed to ask you for loan.
Well, l have got a lot of things to day
dirt cheap, which really believe belong
to one of the late robberies. l 90 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 the
day following surprised the landlord. but
said nothing.
1 was all impatient till Monday came.
1t came at last. was busy at nv cary
ing when well-known voice hailed me
from below. On looking downfrom nv
stage whom should see in the road be-
meath, smiling all his face over, but nv
old friend, the gardener, in a police
mans uniform! The truth flashed
through me in a moment. Invent down.
my hand, he said: "The Sc
cret's out, you e! Come along with
me and see the upshot"
was about to witness a denouen,ent /
had not looked for. Up the road were
a couple of policemen. NY old com
panion was the chief, being Sergeant
Of Police: He led the way to the mu-
scum, and was the first to enter.
.Good morning, my old friend" he
SAID, on encountering the naturalist.
nave come to take away few more
parcels of your cheap provisions"
saw that the old gardener was de-
tected in the speaker, and that the game
was seen to be up. The old mans son
rushed up to the door and scrambled
Oft, only, however, to fall into the
clutches of the officers who were on the
watch. The old man was utterly help.
less, and almost beside himself. Sink
ing into his chair, he cried out: lam
not the thief; the thieves are there"
pointing to the door, and meaning.
could see, his son and confederates
though they were not present.
we went into the museum. The first
thing the old gardener did--as 1 shall
still call him-was to take hold of
Bruce" while he desired one of his
comrades to lay hold of "Wonder.n On
moving them noise of loose metal was
heard. A moments examination suf-
heed to reveal the secret. In the off
side OF each animal, in the soft part. an
oritice had been made by cutting the
skin IN such a way as to enable the
operator to replace it with little care
A part of the stuffing had been removed
leaving a vacancy Just like a tbrostle's
nest. This was filed with jewelry,
guards, earrings, and finger
rings. A further examination of the
museum revealed other and as singular
hiding places: for example, a game.
COCK was found put out of sight: on
-aking hold of it, noise of cIinking
metal was heard; on lifting up the
feathers over the crop small hole was
'een, out'of which rolled, when the bird
vas shaken, a number of trinkets.
Nearly all the proceeds of the two |
of the Jeweler were recovered |
me watch and few guards only being
.bsent. And some of the property of |
he provision dealer was also found |
towtd in the breeding-box, though |
most OF it had been used or sold. Z
leed hardly say that the parcels sold to |
ne gardener were part of it. and had |
o do with the detection of II. NV
rlend, the sergeant, informed me that he
lad been induced to assume the cbar.c.
er, which he had so well personated |
ntirely on speculation. While maxine
!. survey of the neighborhood a few
lays before he began to play his part
le had observed the backward state NJ
he landlords garden, and believing
hat he would readily catch at a chance
# getting it finished off in a cheap wav
nd, being good hand at gardening. he
lad hit upon the scheme which an
wered so well. He had believed that
he robbers were not far from the local
~ OF the public house, and might
ONE there now and again, and 80. conld
e lodge there without being known or
he might get at all he de-
ired. And as he had hoped. SO did II
ONE to pass.
The naturalist who, it came out, had
ong been receiver of stolen property,
nd his son, whose first burglaries these
7ere, got each five years penal servi.
uoe; one OF the other men-who came
rom distant town, and were old
ands-was likewise convicted and pun.
shed; but the fourth, for some forgo.-
en- reason, got of. My friend came in
or q good reward offered in this case.
nd for the part which 1 had taken in
ne affair the jeweler gave me a good
'enci[holder, which / value as me-
nento.
THERE is now in Germany a manu.
,aJ actoIy which turns out daily 1000