Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-03-02

In the course OF the three weeks, az
the end OF which the set was 10 be done,
the colonel often came into the shop 10
see how the work was going on, and al
WAYS discoursed so affably with the
goldsmith that the latter could not find
sufficient words Of praise for his genial
customer when speaking 10 Others about
him. At last the service was completed.
II was placed upon q large table in the
counting-room, and covered with 4 blue
velvet. Punctuany at the stipulated
time in the afternoon, Colonel Green
entered 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 cover from
the service. The colonel, though usual
ly a quiet man, declared thstit surpassed
his most sanguine expectations, and
greatly insisted upon paying the entire
fl50O, and also upon the jeweller re-
tanning the deposited f100 as q douceur
for the satisfaction 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 heartfelt
acknowledgment for this superb master
piece"
The jewellers beaming countenance,
on grasping his namesake's hand,
"can be better imagined than describ-
ed.r
"Now to business" said the colonel.
"Be so kind as to take out my pocket
book. and count off your f1500, for l do
not wish to tarry moment before show
ing your chef: ID GuUre to my wife"
The jeweller hastenedto comply. He
took from the officers breast coat-pock-
ct card-case, setof ivory tablets, and
q silk purse, through whose meshes
glittered some five or six sovereigns-
but no pocket book. Upon the coloners
request, he then examined all of his pock-
cts. The search was futile.
Strange! lncomprehensible! Could l
have lost it, or been robbedp" muttered
the colonel, audibly, perplexed and pro-
voked. "What o'clock is it?'' he sud
denly asked.
Twenty minutes to five."
"Good! 1t is time enough. You must
make yourself serviceable to me once
more, my dear Mr.. Green, and act as
my secretary. You know I cannot use
my right hand. Will you have the good
ness to write few lines for mo to my
wifepn
With these words, the colonel stepped
to the jewellers desk, on which lay
some writing paper printed with the
name of the firm. Taking sheet he
placed it before the jeweller, saying,
"This will do. My wife knows that l
am here" He then dictated, and the
jeweller wrote:
send me at once 9l5O) through the bearer. You
know where tho money is kept. am in inn
mediate need Of it: therefore do not detain the
messenger, who is q trustworthy person.
"Your affectionate husband,
JAMES GREEN"
Thank you," said the colonel, after
perusing the epistle. Michael" he
cried, stepping 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
quickly drove off.
Fifteen minutes, half an hour, nearly
an hour passed away, and Michael did
not return. The colonel waxed impa-
tient, and wished that he had gone in
person for the money. The jeweller
essaycd to tranquillize him, but inetfect-
ually.
II have always regarded the fellow as
honest and trustworthy" said the col
onel, "and have ON several occasions in
trusted him with large sums of money,
though, it is true, never with as much as
at this time. Fifteen hundred pounds !
may have proved too strong trmpta-
ton for him." Pulling out his magnif-
cent gold watch, he continued, II will /,
wait Just seven and half minutes long
err, for that is exactly the time it takes
him to drive hither from Leicester
Square"
The seven and 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-
tiencc. Il shall 60 home myself, and
will return within half an hour"
The cab was soon at the door.
"Quick to Leicester Squarer' cried the
colonel to the coachman. IA half-crown
extra, if you drive we'll"
The cab drove off as rapidly as the
horses could 90. 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 un-
usual must have detained him; but the
jeweller felt no anxiety, for had he not
still the service and IL deposit of g1C0?
Tired of waiting at last, he closed his
shop at half after nine and went home.
His wife, who had long been expecting
him, had grown sleepy, and was slumb-
ering peacefully on ~ sofa. An open
letter lay in her lap. Mr.. Green stepped
lightly to her side. intending to wake
her with a kiss, when his eyes fell upon
the letter.
"What is this?" he cried, dumfound-
ed, rs lie recognized his own handwrit-
ing and the letter which he had just
written for the colonel.
The reader can readily guess the sequel
and tho connection. ,.
True, there existed Colonel Green
who had served in India and the Crimea,
and had been wounded at Balaklava,
who had rented the house in Leicester
Square, cnd who possessed a consider
able fortune; but, alas! he was not the
Colonel Green who had ordered the
silver service. Heaven KNOWS nv wnat
means the sharpers had gained knowl-
edge of all the facts and circumstances
upon which they constructed their ad-