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

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personages.
In the course of three weeks, at the
end of which the set was to be done, the
Colonel often came into the shop to see
how the work was going on, and always
discoursed so affably with the goldsmith
that the latter could not find sufficient
words of praise for his genial customer
when speaking to others about him. At
last the service was completed. 1t was
placed upon large table in the count
ing-room, and covered with cloth of
blue velvet. Punctually at the stipulated
time in the afternoon, Col. Green en-
tered the shop, his elegant cabriolet with
the blooded horse remaining before the
door in care of the groom.
The officer stepped into the counting
room, and Mr.. Green, swelling with
pride, removed the velvet cloth from the
service. The Colonel, though usually a
quiet man, declared that it surpassed his
most sanguine expectations, and greatly
insisted upon paying the entire Fl 800,
and also upon the jeweler retaining the
deposited f100 as douceur for the sat-
isfaction he had given.
"You owe me no thanks, my dear
Mr.. Green" warmly said the Colonel to
the delighted goldsmith. "Give me
your hand, and again receive my heart
felt acknowledgment for this superb
masterpiece.
The jewelers. beaming countenance
on grasping his namesake's hand scan
be better imagined than described"
"Now to business" said the Colonel.
Be so kind as to take out my pocket
book and count off your FL 800, for l
do not wish to tarry moment before
showing your chef d'gucre to my wife. :"
The jeweler fastened to comply. He
took from the officers breast coat-pock-
ct q card-case, a set of ivory tablets and
a silk purse, through whose meshes
glittered some five or six sovereigns-
but no pocket book. Upon the Colonel's
request, he then examined all of his
pockets. The search was futile. ,..
" Strange! incomprehensible! Could
l have lost it or been robbed?" NUT
tered the Colonel, audibly, perplexed
and provoked. "What o'clock is ftp"
he suddenly asked. . u. ...
"Twenty minutes to five.'
"Good; it is time enough. You
once more, my dear Mr.. Green, and act
as my secretary. You know 1 can not
use my right hand. Will you have the
goodness to write few lines for me to
nay wifep"
With these words the Colonel stepped
to the jewelers. desk, on which lay some
writing paper printed with the name of
the firm. Taking sheet, he placed it
before the jeweler, saying: "This will
do; my wife knows that I am here.''
He then dictated, and the jeweler
wrote:
MY DEAR WIFE: Have the goodness to send
me at once 81 800 through the bearer. You
know where the money is kept. l am in i'm.
mediate need OF it; therefore do not detain
the messenger, who is trustworthy person.
Your atfectlonate husband,
JAMES GREEN.
"Thank you," said the Colonel, after
cried, stepping to the door and calling
the groom, stake this letter, ride home
as fast you can, and return at once to
this place with that which my wife will
give you"
The groom took the letter, bowed,
and quickly rode off.
Fifteen minutes, half an hour, nearly
an hour passed away, and Michael did
not return. The Colonel waxed impa-
tent, and wished that he had gone in
person for the money. The jeweler es-
sayed to tranquilize him but ineffectu-
ally.
81 have always regarded the fellow
as honest and trustworthy" said the
Colonel, "and have on several occa-
sions intrusted him with large sums of
money, though, it is true, never with as
much as this time. Fifteen hundred
pounds may have proved too strong
temptation for him." Pulling out his
magnificent gold watch, he continued:
81 wait just seven and a half minutes
longer, for that is exactly the time it
takes him to drive hither from Leicester
Square"
The seven and a half minutes were
gone, and the groom had not come.
The Colonel could contain himself no
longer.
Do me the favor, Mr.. Green, to call
a cab," he said, in the greatest impa-
thence. 81 shall 90 home myself, and
will return within half an hour"
The cab was soon at the door.
"Quick to Leicester SQUARED" cried
the Colonel to the coachman. ga half
crown extra if you will drive WE'LL"
The cab drove off as rapidly as the
horse could go. The goldsmith, in the
meantime, had the service packed up,
and waited for his patrons return. The
clock struck six, seven, eight, nine. The
Colonel did not come. Something I'M
usual must have detained him; but the
jeweler felt no anxiety, for had he not
still the service and a deposit of 9100P
Tired of waiting at last, he closed his
shop at half-after nine and went home.
His wife, who had been long expecting
him, had grown sleepy, and was slum-
bering peacefully on a sofa. An open
letter lay in her lap. Mr.. Green step
ped lightly to her side, intending to wake
her with kiss, when his eyes fell upon
the letter.
"What is thisp'' he cried, dunn
founded, as he recognized his own hand
writing and the letter which he had Just
written for the Colonel.
The reader can readily guess the Sc
quel and the connection.
True, there existed Col. Green who
had served in India and the Crimea and