The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-01-15

asked me to take particular notice of
The dog and the lamb. ssFor," said he, |.
50 was struck with one of the questions
one of the men put as to whether Bruce
and Wonder could take any more 'cot
tom or flax And it is just possible"
he continued, 'sthat he has way of tax
ing out and putting in the stuffing after
the skin has become set and hard thing
worth knowing, should Think
When we got to the house the old
him. Being asked if he would allow the
gardener to see over 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 returned, and said, at is
not convenient to enter the room to-
night, as it is being cleaned and the |
contents re-arranged; but if your friend !
will come tomorrow night, and come |
alone, he shall see over it,
We agreed, and came away. l was
at a loss to account for the condition
imposed; but my companion was set up
with the arrangement.
Next night came, and the gardener
set off on his errand. / was all impa-
tience for his return. But when he
came back he seemed unwilling to re-
late the result of his adventure, simply
saying, elm in no humor for talk to-
night; I'll relate what I've seen and said
tomorrow"
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 Saturday night.
On Friday night he came to me in the
kitchen, in a corner of which I 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 direction of the museum.
He asked me if could keep secret for
a day or two. Replying in the affirma-
tive, he said he had a strong suspicion
that the old naturalist or his son was
no better than he should be; that he
| was sure that lie or they knew more
about the late robberies than other
folks; and that he believed 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 a
sovereign for a few days. I 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 ap-
pointment; for my companion told him
that had promised him a 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 signal as he passed
me, joined him in the back yard. He
said: "I'm on the track of the thieves,
believe. Last night but one, on reach
ing 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 a few birds for lot of provisions,
if would buy some of the latter 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, I am
not without cash, but it would not have
done to say so; hence agreed to ask
you for loan. Well, I've got lot OF
things to-day, dirt cheap, which I really
believe belong to one of the late robber-
les. 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 du-
ring the night and the day after, sur
prised the landlord, but / said nothing.
l was all Impotence until Monday
came. 1t came at last. / was busy al
my carving, when heard well known
voice hail me from below. On looking
down from my stage, whom should
see in the road beneath, smiling all the
face over, but my old friend the garden.
er in a policeman's uniform! The truth
flashed through me in a moment.
went down. Grasping my hand, he
said: " The secrets out, you see
Come along with me and see the up.
shot"
was about to witness a denouement
had not looked for. Up the road were q
couple of policemen. My old compan
ion 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 encountering the naturalist. "I've
come to take away few more parcel.
of your cheap provisions.
l 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 to the door and scrambled off
only, however, to fall into the clutches
OF one 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, elm
not the thief; the thieves are there, y
pointing to the door, and meaning, ]
could see, his son and his confederates.
though they were not present.
We went into the museum. The first
thing the old gardeners I shall still
call him-did was to take hold OF
"Bruce," while he desired one of his
comrades to lay hold of "Wonder.' .
On moving them, noise of loose metal
was heard. A moments examination