Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-05-10
lFrom Tinsley's Magazine.J
ROMA.

Lit was certainly Yer1table antique,
not absolutely perfect, still more valu-
able. Professor Buchanan contemplated
it with all the satisfaction of an antiquary
confirmed III an original opinion.
1t was, after 8ll, poor thing at first
sight-only a dllapidated-looking orna-
ment, an old bracelet spoiled by sea-
sand and sea-water.
But in the eye of an antiquarian the
disGgurements of age are so many signs
of beauty. That the bracelet was bent,
that its gold was furnished and the mo-
sales with which it was inIaid were partly
wanting, was nothing; It's antique shape
and the magic word "Roma, with which
its ancient maker had cunningly en-
graved it, were quite enough for the
professor.
Moreover, had he not always main
tanned that the remains on that part of
the coast were Roman His brother
professor, McNaughton, had constantly
aendeavored to prove that that mighty
nation had never penetrated so far north.
The ocean itself was to witness for the
truth, and only ten days ago this pre-
cious relic had been offered to him by
fisherman who had brought it to shore
In his net.
1t was with some difficulty that the
professor could conceal his sense of the
value of the bracelet sufficiently to drive
a reasonable bargain; but his Scotch
prudence prevailed and in his heart he
congratulated himself.
For some years he had spent part of
his holiday on this coast, where far
famed river w1dened to the sea and the
nos 10 aT1 fro Of tho LITTLE c4oo
across It's mouth was one of the great
events of the day. To-day was stormy
and the waves ran high, and even now
the professor had been watching the
somewhat rough passage of the boat.
" Overdue, y he said, and then he had
turned again to inspect his treasure. CT
only regret SO ran his professional
thoughts that that paragraph got into
the Modern Athenian OF yesterday; that
body Andrew was just premature in
sending it. It will anticipate what I was
writing to the Antiquary."
"Here's gentleman speering for ye,"
said his rough Scotch domestic at this
moment, recalling him rudely to every
day life
The professor instinctively replaced
the bracelet in an open drawer, and
closed the latter quickly before he
turned to receive his guest, who proved
to be a young man about 20, snort, fair,
and frank-looking.
Professor Buchanan, think?" said
this young man, with bow. ''I must
apologize, sir, for intruding on you. I
have called upon you IN consequence of
a paragraph in the Modern Athenian.'
"Deed," said the professor, So L am
glad to hear it, sir. At your age lads are
not always so much interested as all
that in antiquities, and what will your
name be 90
"My name ?'-there was, perhaps, a
moments hesitation on the part of the
visitor; his color deepened-" ooh, my
name is Henderson, and I"
est down, Mr.. Henderson, sit down.
And so you saw the pit passage in the
paper; put IN with no leave of mine, I
must tell you.
"Well, l am very glad it was put in,
was the reply, for it has led to the dis
covery-"
GA discovery, you may well call it,
Mr.. Henderson, said the professor, ris-
ing, and holding the lapeIs of his coat
with both hands. ga discovery confirm
ing that which I have for years main
tanned, and that is that If we could get
leave to excavate we should find"
"Nay, sir" interrupted Mr.. Hender-
son, with smile intended to disarm and
propitiate; 81 am afraid / am not here
to confirm your antiquarian theories. I
am herein fact, L am come to tell you
that the bracelet described in the
Modern Athenian belonged to lady
who wishes to claim it.
"To aleddy !"ejaculated the professor,
becoming more Scotch in his surprise.
<'To Teddy Ma, ma, Mr.. Henderson.
The Teddy that wore that bracelet is
away to her grave, and will ma claim it. -
But, sir, was the rejoinder, Sc [ as
sure you L have often seen this lady
wear the bracelet described in the para
graph; and she herself has no doubt it
is hers. 1t was brought to her some
years ago from Rome. You know they
make them on the antique model still.