Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-18
Gales aud Sketthes.
TRICKY THIEVES.

| Mr., Glister stood at his own shop-door
and looked out upon the almost empty
Cathedral Close. Things were dull just
then in Ravensthorpe. as they always are.
except for the few months during which
the Bishop is regularly resident at the
Abbey Hall. and the two rival local packs
contribute to make them brisk, and Mr..
Glister 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 & Co., goldsmiths and jewellers,
had 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 Go.
had long since faded out of reality, but
the old name of the firm was retained, }
who was the third of the dynasty in Raw
ensihorpe.
He had personally managed the London
house until satisfied of its growing solidi.
ty, and had then returned to his native
town and established himself and his FAM
ily in the venerable building of which his
business premises occupied the lowest
story.
He was one of the fine old race of coun-
try tradesmen now fast becoming extinct
proud OF his business and of the long
and untarnished history of the firm. His
manner was marked by a certain stolid,
genial politeness to all men. untainted by
any effort to ape the grand air of his eli
ents. who respected him as their forbears
had respected his.
He passed nearly all his time in Raw
ensthorpe, going to London on the occas-
ion of stock taking and to draw the hand
some profits which went to swell his bal
ance at the county bank, of which he was
partner.
Mr.Gllster was warm man. He looked
it. width his clear, rich. rosy complexion,
heightened by his crisp iron-gray hair and
strips of silvery whisker.hi portly waist
coat crossed by the modestlv solid watch
chain, and the handsome diamond ring
which was his solitary vanity in the article
of dress.
"Here he is again." said MIR. Glister.
A portlv, elderly gentleman in the dress
of a rural dean turned the corner of the
Close and came brisklv along the pave
ment From his countenauce beamed
forth benevolence and goodwill to
all men and from his cleaning shoes and
his neatly stockinged calves to his jol-
ly port-wine tace and clerical hat, his
whole person seemed one solid smile. As
he passed Mr.. Glister he gave him cas-
ual glance of such cordially that the jew
eler felt emboldened to salute him with a
bow, a curtesy returned by the reverend
gentleman by brisk Good morning"
and yet broader smile as he went by
Fate so ordained it that Mr.. Cluster, dur
ing 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 despairing walls of
very small damsel over the shattered
shreds OF an earthenware jug, with which
she had been entrusted for the convey
ance of the family milk. The child stood
above the ruins in such despair as only in
fants of her tender years in dread of an
imminent beating can know. The child
was pretty, and looked all the prettier in
her innocent affiiction. and Mr.. Glister
was tender hearted man. Already he
had taken a step toward the little one. and
his finger and thumb were cropping in the
pocket of his portly waistcoat for the con-
solatory shilling which should repair the
damage and dry the mourner's tears.
when he saw that his charitable intention
had been forestalled. The sef-same ru-
raj dean whom Mr.. Glister had that morn
ing saluted, was soothing the child's grief
with words Of cheer and consoling pats
of the tumbled golden hair that through
which a little damsels fearful eyes already
brighter at the sight of the proffered coin
the reverend gentleman held out to her.
looked up to him with shy gratitude A
pretty picture, thought Mr.. Glister. bow
ing again to the rural dean as their eyes
met, whereat the old cleric nodded with a
confused and somewhat shamefaced aspect.
as though embarrassed that his good deed
should have been witnessed.
Next morning saw Mr. Glister again at
his post of observation. and at his accus-
toned hour the elderly cleric was again
deserted upon the pavement. The jewel
er had already begun to feel a friendly,
almost an affectionate, interest in the old
gentleman, whose appearance was so in
wiling, whose voice so jovial, whose char
ity go ready and unassuming. His atten-
ton was so completely absorbed by the
approach of his new acquaintance that he
had no ears for the quickly approaching
step of young man advancing in the con.
| y
opening his lips to reply to Mr.. Glister's
morning salute when the young man
paused precisely opposite the jeweler.
and extending his hand. hailed the old dig
nifty as Uncle" The reverend gentle
man turned with quick start. and STUN
bic, which. but for the young mans
restraining hand, would have brought him
to the ground.
You young villain" painted the old
man, you'll never be satisfied until you
have been the death of me!''
The young fellow expressed affectionate
contrition for his abruptness, but his ven
cradle relative was evidently more shaken
by his sudden appearance than it seemed
likely so robust an old gentleman would
have been by so slight an occurrence. He
trembled and leaned upon his nephew's
arm for support. and was so evidently
affected that Mr.. Glister begged him to
enter and seat himself in the shop until his
composure should return. The offer was
accepted. and the rural dean was beloved
in chair. The jeweler made hospitable
offers of wine. and of glass of water,
which were refused, the old man tapping
himself upon the region of the heart. and
shaking his head. to indicate to him that
| his maladv Law there and waS havnpJ Tho