The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-10-30
AN ENGLISH DETECTIVES STORY.

AN ENGLISH DETECTIVES STORY.
SHORTLY after the Crimean war an in
dividual, whose right arm was incased
in splints and hung in sling, entered a
magnificent jewelry shop, the proprie-
tor of which was Mr.. James Green.
The stranger had that in his appearance
which is generally styled diStingue: his
carriage and garb revealed the military
veteran, and his manners the finished
gentleman. At the door halted an ele-
giant cabriolet, and the good taste of its
owner was made apparent by the plain
but neat livery of the groom and the
choice traprings of the handsome blood
ed horse.
The stranger stated that he was de-
sirous of procuring a complete silver
table-service, rich, solid and elegant,
with but little ornamentation. Could
Mr.. Green prepare such one for himp
The goldsmith answered, of course, in
the affirmative, and showed several pat
terms to his visitor, who then described
very infinitely the style in which he
wished the articles to be made, and
asked by what time they could be got
ready. At the same time he insisted on
punctuality, saying he must use the set
at reception he would soon give at his
new residence in Leicester Square.
Green promised to have it done in three
weeks, and then the two parties dis
cussed the terms.
The jeweler very carefully made all
his calculations and demanded f1,20O.
The stranger reflected q few moments,
then said he had determined upon get
ting service at q cost of 1880, and
requested Mr.. Green to add as many
more pieces to the set as would fix the
price at that sum. Mr.. Green thanked
the gentleman for this mark of conf
dence, and inquired of him to whose
recommendation he owed his patronage.
"No one has recommended YOU to
me-" replied the stranger.
The jeweler looked up in surprise.
The stranger, who had hitherto worn
an air of dignity almost amounting to
austerity, now became more friendly
and continued:
81 am a solder. 1 have served for
years in India, and more recently in the
Crimea. At Balaklava received Sc
we're wound in my right arm and hand,
which will perhaps disable the member
for life. My patronage you owe to your
parents, grandparents, and in fact to
the whole line of your ancestors"
The jeweler was amazed and bewil-
dered. His parents and other ancestors
had long been dead, and could not have
referred the soldier to him. The latter
apparently enjoyed Mr.. Green's per-
plexity, and smilingly continued: 81
will make myself clearer. When, in
consequence of this unfortunate wound'
here sudden twinge in his arm made
him start painfully-''I was compelled
to leave the service, / resolved to settle
down in London. While riding out the
other day my attention was attracted by
the appearance of your splendidly-fur-
nished shop, but more so by the name
OF your sign, for mine is precisely the
same. To this simple circumstance you
owe the present visit of Col. James
Green, of the Grenadier Guards
The jeweler expressed his delight at
the honor of being the namesake of so
distinguished warrior, and after few
more phrases of this sort the converse
ton reverted to the business in hand.
"May now inform you," said the
jeweler, with some hesitation, "of the
conditions which must generally be
complied with previous to making
sale?'
"No," said the Colonel, sharply, 81
have my own way of doing business.
You and do not know each other; and,
although my order is not an uncom-
monty large one, still it amounts to
sum with which you can not credit a
stranger. l will therefore pay you f1OO
cash down for a surety, the remaining
FL 400 when l call for the service.''
Mr.. Green accepted the proffer with
profuse thanks.
"You need not thank me, )" the officer
interrupted. GAS l remarked, always
have way of my own, from which l
never like to deviate. Now do me the
favor and take my portemonnaie from
my coat-pocket; my unfortunate Balak-
lava wound" the Colonel again WINGED
with pain-"has famed my right arm
and hand completely"
Mr.. Green expressed his sympathy in
the warmest terms, carefully pulled the
portemonnaie from the veterans coat
pocket, opened it at the latter's desire,
and from four or five new f100 notes
took one, which the Colonel requested
him to keep. Mr.. Green wrote off re-
ceipt and placed it in the pocket-book,
which he very carefully restored to its
resting place. He then assisted the
Colonel to enter the carriage, and the
groom-Col. Green could not drive on
account of his injured arm-rapidly
drove off in the direction of Leicester
Square. The jeweler, though much
overjoyed, was cautious business man,
and, notwithstanding the considerable
deposit, proceeded to make his safety
certain.
In the "War List " he readily found
the name and rank of his customer, just
as he had been given; and from the es.
tate agent who rented out the splendid