Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-10-21

hand. Will you have the goodness to write a
few lines for me TO my wife 2"
With these words the colonel stepped TO the
jewelers. desk. on which lay some writing pa
per printed with the name Of the firm TAX
ing a sheet, he placed it before the ieweler,
saying "This will do my wife knows that
am here" He then dictated, and the jew
eler wrote
Ny Dear WIFE: Have the goodness to
send me at once e1500 by the bearer. you
know where the money is kept. am in i'm
mediate need of it therefore do not detain
the messenger, who is a Trustworthy person.
Your at ectionate husband, JAMES GREEN.
"Thank you," said the colonel, after perus-
ing the epistle. "AIichael," he cried, step.
ping to the door and calling the groom, take
this letter, ride home as fast as you can and
return at once to this place with that which
my wife will give you"
The groom took the letter, bowed and
drove quickly away.
Fifteen minutes, a half hour, nearly an
hour passed away, and Michael did not re-
turn. The colonel waxed impatient, and
wished that he had gone in person for the
money. The jeweler essayed to tranquilize
him, but Intellectually.
II have always regarded the fellow as hon
est and trust worthy" said the colonel, 'and
ihfb Ou bbNbIhl OCGhhlOub lulEubltQ ulul Win
large sums of money, though never, It is true,
with as much as at this time. Fifteen hun.
dred pounds may have proved too strong q
temptation for him." Pulling out his mag
nifcent gold watch, he continued 81 will
wait just seven aud one-half minutes longer,
for that is exactly the time it takes TO drive
hither from Leicester square.
The seven and a half minutes were gone
and the groom had not returned. The colo
mel could contain himself no longer.
DO me the favor, Mr.. Green, to call me a
cab, he said in the greatest impatence. 81
shall go home myself, and will return within
half an hour"
The cab was soon at the door.
"Quick-to Leicester square :" called the
colonel to the driver "a half-crown extra if
you drive well"
The cab drove of as rapidly as the horses
could go. The goldsmith meantime had the
service packed up, and then waited for his
patrons return. The clock struck six-seven
-eight-nine. The colonel did not come
Something unusual must have detained him
But the jeweler felt no anxiety, for had ne
not still the service and deposit of e1OO?
Tired of waiting, at last he closed his shop
at half-past nine and went home. His wife,
who had long been expecting him, had grown
sleepy, and was slumbering on a sofa. Mr..
pASch StePpeu hButly up " ntrj luIeuulnB 70
waken her, when his eyes fell upon letter
'What is this ?" he cried, dumbfounded, as
he recognized his own handwriting and the
letter he had penned few hours before for
the colonel.
The reader can easily guess the sequel and
connection.
True, there was Col Green who had serv-
ed in India and the Crimea, had been wound
ed at Balaklava, had rented house in Leices-
ter square, and who possessed a considerable
fortune; but, alas! he was not the Col. Green
who had ordered the silver service. Heaven
knows the means by which the sharpers had
gained knowledge of all the facts and circum-
stances upon which they constructed their in
genious plan.
The man personating the groom was, of
course, an accomplice, and the letter which
Mr.. James Green had penned for the pseudo
Col. James Green was delivered by him to
the jewelers. wife, who did not hesitate for a
moment to deliver to him the E15OO because
she recognized her husbands handwriting
upon the paper stamped with the name of the
jewelry firm. Who the sly rogues were never
came to light.