West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-09-25
THREE TRICKY THIEVES.
how They Managed to Dupe a
Condding Jewele

JoWel9
MIR. Glister stood at his own sbon
door and looked out upon the almost
empty Cathedral Close. Things were
dull just then in R~avensthorpe. as thew
always are, except for a few months
during which the Bishop is regularly
resident at the Abbey Hall, and the two
rival local parks contribute to make
them brisk, and Mr.. Giister seldom had
much else to do in the long off-season
but pursue such limited observations of
the worlds life in general as the Close
offered him material for.
Glister IL Co, goldsmiths snd Jewell
ers, had a London house in Bond street.
The London manager spoke sometimes
to his clients of "our Ravensthorpe
branch" which was inaccurate. The
London house was only thirty years old,
and had been established by the present
proprietor (Co. had long since faded
Out of reality, but the old name oil the
hrm was retained WHO was the third
OF the dynasty in Ravensthorpe.
he had personally managed the Lon
don house, until satisfied fits growing
solldity, and had then returned to his
native town and established himself and
ms family in the venerable building of
which his business premises occupied
n lowest story.
He was one Of the fine old race of
country tradesmen now fast BECOMING
extinct-proud of his business and of
the long and untarnished history of the
firm. His manner was marked bv n
certain stolid, genial politeness to all
men. untainted by anv effort 10 ape the
grand air of his clients, who respected
MN as their forefatEers had respected
his.
He passed nearly ell mis- time in Ra-
vensthorpe, going to London on the oc-
casion of stock taking. and to draw the
handsome profits which went to swell
his balance at the county bank of which
he was a partner.
MIR. Glister was a warm man. He
looked it with his clear, rich, rosy COM
PleXlon, heightened by his crisp IRON
gray hair and strips of silvery whisker.
MS portly waistcoat crossed by the
modestly solid watch-chain, and the
handsome diamond ring which was his
solitary vanity in the article of dress.
Here he is again, - said Mr.. GIister.
A portly. elderly gentleman in the
dress of a rural dean turned the corner
of the Close and came briskly along the
pavement From his countenance
beamed forth b~enevolence and good
Will TO all men, ana from his cleaning
shoes and his neatly-stockinged calves
to his jolly port-wins face and clerical
hat his whole person seemed one solid
smile. As he passed Mr.. Glister he
gave him a casual glance Of such cor
diahty that the ieweler felt emboldened
TO salute him with a bow, a courtesy
returned by the reverend gentleman by
n brisk Woodworking" and a vet
broader smile as he went by.
rate so ordained il that Mr.. Glister.
during the next day or two, saw a good
deal of the reverend gentleman. That
same afternoon the generally peaceful
air OF the Close was rent by the de-
spairing walls Of a very small damsel
over the scattered shreds Of an earth
enware jug, with which she had been
Entrusted for the conveyance of the
family milk The child stood above
the uin IN such despair as only infants
OF her tender years in dread Of an i'm
m1nent beating can know. The child
was pretty. and looked all the prettier
M her innocent afiliction, and Mr.. Glis-
ter was q tender-hearted man AL
ready he had taken a step toward the
little one. and his finger and thumb
were cropping in the pocket Of his port
~ waistcoat for the cOnsolatory shilling
which would repair the damage and
Dry the mOurner's tears. when he saw
that his intention had been forestalled
Inc self-same rurHl dean whom Mr
Glister had that morning saluted was
soothing the child's grief with words
Of cheer and c~OnsOling pats on the
child's tumbled golden hair through
which the little damsels fearful eyes.
already brighter 90 the sight Of the
proiiered cOin the reverend gentleman
held out to her. looked up ~ him with
shy gratitude. a pretty picture.
thought Mr. Glistcr. bowling again to-
TIE rural dean as their ewes net. where
Of tho old cleric nodded with a con
fused and somewhat shame-faced az.
poet. as though embarrassed that his
good deed should have been witnessed.
Next morning saw Mr.. Glister again
~ his post Of observation. and af his
accustomed hour the cd cleric was
again deserted upon the pavement The
lcweler had already begun 70 feel "a
friendly. almost an affect ona O. interest
in ihe old gentleman, whose appear
aDce was SO inviting whose voice so
Jotisl, whose charity SO ready and I'M
assuming l's attention was 30 com
Tleteiy absorbed by tho approach ~ bis
new acquaintance Chat be- lad no ears
Tor The quickly approaching step N %
Young man advancing in tic contrary
direction. The rural dean was inst
opening bis lips ~ reply 20 Mr. Glistor s
morning salute, when The young man
paused precisely opposite the ieweler.
aud extending his hand. hailed The old
dignliary as Uncle. Tho reverend
eDntieman turned with "a quick start
aud a stumble, which A2t fsE iho young