The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-08-18

that OF the gardener. he came lnUO Tile
yard through small gateway which had
not observed, and which led into the gar
den. He held long, sharp, three-pronged
fork in his hand. saw at glance that
move the first was defeated. Supposing
the inmates to be ignorant of my arrival,
my plan had been to cover quietly by the
door until opened for egress, which [ had
calculated would be early in the morning,
by one of the domestics-eitherf for water,
as there was pump in the yard, or for
some other purpose-and then slip in with
dash. Once in, I did not despair of hold
ing my ground, for had on me couple
of very pretty "persuaders," in case of at
tempted Violence pair of pocket pistols.
"There,' [ said, quietly; ''stop that con-
founded noise. You know better than that.
Is Mr. Wintock in p
The man grinned Cant 'zactly say.
Dunno. Which on 'em ?"
"The elder Mr.. Wintock. Iwant to see
him on particular business"
"Do zee?
"Here; come this way minute, y whis-
pered, at the same time holding up a SOW
ereign between my finger and thumb and
stepping under cover of the caves Of an
clubhouse. ''Now, don't you think you can
get me speech with Mr.. Wintock this
morning for this little bit of yellow stuff ?
You don't pick up sovereigns every day, |
daresay.'
[ had hastily determined to secure the
fellow as an ally if possible, and felt that
bribe was the only means Of doing so.
He scratched his head, grinned, and
looked wistfully at the coin. ''Oi dares to
say could-out of DOORS and he stretch
ed out his hand for it.
''Not so fast, my man. You must earn
it first. 1t must be inside. You are not
such fiat but that you guess my business
here. Let me only put one foot within
the doorway, and it is yours"
The gardener gave me peculiar look
and burst into Il loud haw-haw as he
turned away. NO use, measter! Tother
chap tried that little game
saw my scheme was frustrated, and
that there was no help for it. Neverthe
less, hung about the premises for some
time, but to no purpose. went away for
awhile and returned again as stealthily as
| could. | watched the house for days,
and from every available corner that |
could use as hiding-place The inmates
were too much upon their guard. 1t ap-
peared there was pump in the scullery as
well as in the yard, and plenty of coal in
the cellars. The place seemed victualed
for siege Not a soul ever passed or re-
passed the door, at least with my recog
nizance What orders were issued were
given to Hodge from an upper window, in
accessible by me- At last [ determined to
give up Watching, and try if I could not
accomplish my purpose in some other way.
l withdrew, foiled, but not defeated.
Thus matters remained for some time,
until [ began to think should fare no
better than my predecessor, and to grow
dispirited, when a lucky accident turned
up, which aided me not little.
One afternoon, disgusted with my i'll
success, [ had taken a walk around the
park, and had nearly y reached the side re-
motest from the Hall, when [ was startled
by hearing sounds of alteration and loud
screams for help. [ did not hesitate an
instant, but in two minutes had scaled the
park palings and leaped into the lonely by
road which bounded them on that side
1t was we'll that [ did so; for [ was just in
time to render efficient aid to an elderly
female vainly attempting to hold her own
against two villainous- looking tramps. The
old dame was a carrier from Briteleigh to
a neighboring town, whittier she went three
times a week with her cart and blind pony
to fetch and carry for the villagers, pack
ages and parcels of all descriptions, from a
lady's dress to half pound of tea. The
rascals attempted to help themselves to
some of the numerous provisions in the We
hicle, and being resisted by her, were just
on the point of using violence, when [
rushed unperceived to the rescue, and
caused the fellows to beat a hasty retreat
The dame was profuse in her thanks for
my timely assistance, and earnest in her
way to make me some recompense. The
poor old creature had been terribly alarmed
and shook like an aspen. In assisting her
to repack her things, and in trying to re-
assure her, very naturally inquired where
she was going.
"Deed, an [ be goin' on to the Hall"
The mention of the Hall arrested my
attention, and an idea Immediately y occurred
to me. This time, however, [ determined
to experimentalize, without taking my ally
into my confidence.
"Going to the Hall, Mother, are you p
[ said, carelessly. "Ah! suppose you
take parcels there very often, of course 7?
"Why, yes, do, and [ don't now. [
90 every fortnight for the linen. The
family don't wash at home; they send it all
to Mrs Biggs at the village. Them
baskets you see there, she added,
nodding to them, 'Fare for the Wintocks;
I'm goin' to leave 'em as | go long"
"Well, dame," | said, II am only out
for stroll. Perhaps those scamps may be
lurking about somewhere to give you an
other turn as soon as | am fairly out Of
sight. Suppose l ride a little way with
you for protection. What say you?"
The dame willingly assented, and L
mounted the cart beside her. 1t was pref
ty closely packed with sundry parcels, be-
sides the baskets in question, and well Sc
cured behind with coverlet, tied down to
the hinder part of the cart. The blind
pony started at shambling trot. Mrs
Stokes and [ got into conversation.
"How do you contrive to get these
great baskets out of the cart and into the
house?''
"Oh, that's easily done. I unite the
cloth behind, and Martha-that's the old
woman at the Hall-or else the Italian
servant, helps me in with EN-"
And so we logged on, chatting, round
the exterior of the park, until within few
dozen yards of its gates.
"Dame !'' 1 said, suddenly, II did you a
good turn little while back; now want
YOU to do one for me in return"
Mrs. Stokes was taken at disadvantage,
and looked at me with perplexed express
sion unon her cOuntenance. She clearly