The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-02-10
A DREADFUL CASE.


his countenance changing from that Of the
reflective sage, was going to say, to one
that was almost miserable. "Ah, now you
talk of something understand. They are
not watching us, are they?" he broke of,
looking nervously in the direction of the
house.
mo, no." said I, with subdued excite
ment, wondering what was to happen next.
He deliberately unbuttoned his long ulster
coat, shivering in the cold winter air as he
did so; then he began to tumble at a belt
which he wo1e. Several diamonds, of great
value, as T judged, in a moment more
sparkled before my astonished eyes. He
had apparently drawn them from little
leather pocket, curiously concealed beneath
this belt.
"Ah! those are gems, if you like, Sill" he
exclaimed. with an exulting chuckle, which
brought to my mind the impression created
at our frs: interview. that he was not quite
right in his head.
"They ale splendid: said; "but why do
YOU carry them about with you? Suppose
any one, dishonesty inclined; were to learn
that an elderly man had property of such
value upon him? The thought of it makes
me tremble, sir"
''I am not in the habit of exhibiting the
treasures which it has taken my lifetime to
amass. l dare no.. But trust you, ST.
As man of business, Thought there
was here another proof of mental weakness,
in the fact that Re should confde in one Of
whose antecedents he knew nothing, and Of
whose honesty he had no further proof than
love of nature might suggest.
But Glanced a; this moment to look up
at the first floor window of our neighbours
house, and there, watching with strange,
tall, sallow man OF whom both my wife's
and my own impression was so distinctly
unfavorable.
motioneG to the old man to put away
his Jewels, for the German servant was APP
preaching again; most likely sent by her
master.
My strange acquaintance did not appear
in the garden any more.
have al innate horror OF eavesdloDping,
and: as have repeatedly said to my dear
wife, whose femme curiosity Temps her to
attach far too little attention to ihis evil,
Conversation not intended for her ears
ought to be regarded with the same feelings
as a letter not written for he- perusal. She
would feel deeply insulted did aay one sug-
gest that he would be capable OF leading
another persons letter simply because the
seal happened 10 be broken, and she could,
therefore, do so without the fear of detec-
ton" But women, alas! are never logical;
and she will no. see, or perhaps cannot, that
her conduct is no less culpable when she
greedily listens to the private conversation
of others, just because accidel1 or careless
ness on their part has placed her thin ear
shot.
Well, a few days after we sat in our Chez
full, cosy front parlor. We were sitting, I
say, in our cosy parlor; my wife with her
knitting in her hands, on an ottoman. which
was drawn close into a recess by The fire.
place; J., in my good old arm chail, by the
table in the middle OF The room, and reading
the last number of the GGrd,ser's HGgazi,ee.
The entrance Of Ann with our customary
"nightcap" Of weak toddy aud ta,in Dread and
butter interrupted my study Of an article
on "Trenching, p" and caused me to look up
at my wife. - , ~
"Eayesdropping!' Twas about to exclaim,
when my speech was arrested by observing
the strange look of horror on Polly's face.
She had dropped her knitting, and sat with
hands clasped tightly across her breast, and
her head pressed closely against the wall.
you?" said. .,,.. =, ~ aq.s..~. ~.-
90! i is dreadful" she whispered, hold
up her finger to, check me. PRAY come
and hear what they are saying"
Exalted though my principles were against
listening, J. could no: resist the impulse of
the moment, but hastily arose from ny
seat and placed my ear against the wall
likewise. Ann Lightbody too, forgetting
our relative positions, dropped the tray Of
teddy on the table as if it were hot coal,
and rushed to the opposite side of the
mantlepiece to initiate our example. To
any one entering the room at ;;!lat moment
the scene presented must have been absurd:
beyond description. But We were earnest
enough, for what we heard seemed to freeze
our very blood.
rs he dead YETI" We heard Mrs. Maiden
aslr hor hn chan1 with a lou ,nuaica1 1anel,