The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-01-30
now 1 VAS ROBBED.

/ -"oiO ehau tnlIly YEARS ago L was living
at small town called Winslow. about eight
miles from Buckingham, and [ may as well
mention that was and still am a lady of
small but independent means but [ vas
/ then about tWeHty-four and now-yeH.
/ need not finish that sentence.
! AT the period TO which l refer, the little
RossipinR country town, was greatly excited
by report that a gang OF professional
thieves were busy ia the neighborhood.
Several most artful burglaries had been
effected, and In the surrounding country
ROADS and lanes persons had been robbed by
strategy-always without violence.
just at that time had occasion to 90 to
Buckingham, and, as the railway to that
town was not then available, 1 decided to
drive there in my little basket-chaise, accom-
panied by my servinRman, who was coach
man, groom, and gardener all in one
Tad business in Buckingham at my law
yer's, and intended to put up at the princi-
pal inn there and return home the next day.
As 1 dressed myself for my drive. nv
young cousin, Mary Ward, who was staying
at my house, SAID to me
Emily, don't wear that beautiful brooob
to-day
why Eot, my dear p said 1, at the same
time fastening in the brooch to which she
had alluded, which was very handsome and
very valuable. both for the diamonds It was
set with and for a lock OF hair that 1t con
tained, which was one Of my greatest trea-
sures
There are thieves about, said Mary.
Well / said, mo one will get close to me
sitting in my little chaise,'
And you'll pass the gypsy camp contin-
ued Mary. Suppose hat a dozen great
gypsy men we're to spring at your ehaise,
and make dasE at your brooch, Sandy
would be nowhere
For Sandy, as we called Alexander Thoms
my man, was small and 1ear.sighted. and
certainly not great In strength or courage.
laughed, for 1 really had no fears.
The turnpike road from Winslow to Buck
inRham was straight as a lire, and neither
lonely or romantic.
There was no danger, as told my cousin,
and soon after l set or
1t was a beautiful September afternoon,
and l was enjoying the freshness OF the air
when, as we walked the pony up a rather
long hill, about a mile out Of town, 1 saw
the figure OF a plainly dressed elderly wo-
man tollinR on before as on foot, and pre-
sently she turned round and seemed to be
waiting for Us
I beg your pardon. she said, coming up
to the chaise, as we slowly approached her,
but think address Miss Simmonds.'
1 acknowledged that that was my name,
and she continued
lam an old acquaintance Of Mrs. Bolton,
Of Swsnbourne. be lleve you know her p
Mrs. Bolton is a very old friend OF mine,
l replied.
4 have come from her house to-day said
the stranger, and am Obliged to get to Buck
ingham on business. She told me that you
were driving there this afternoon, aud that
l might make so bold as to mention her
name, and ask you to kindly give me lift
It's long way to walk
1T Is, indeed said L. But Why did you
not come to my house with Mrs. Bottoms
message?'
L got lift from Swanbourne right thro'
Winslow in a cart, mA'am.' replied the wo-
man, and then 1 thought would not trou-
bic you. But find can scarcely manage q
seven mile walk
We'll, get up said 1, for there was q lit
tie back seat to my pony-chaise. or course
l am glad to accommodate any friend Of
Mrs. BOlton's.'
I am scarcely friend said the woman,
but 1 was once In her service, and she
knows me WE'LL
So saying, she got up, and we logged
along.
After addressing a few civil remarks to
her relapsed inte silence. for am one that
likes quietness in travelling, until passing
the edge Of a common that skirts one Of the
outlying villages We saw the gipsy camp
close to Us.
L thought Of Mary, when several great
rough looking Ripsies approached the clIsise
and begged.
Ny pony shied at them, and presently
stopped.
One Of them reached over and laid his
hand on my little Maltese dog which sat by
my side but as turned angTily upon him,
he withdrew dire city, declaring he meant no
harm.
1 threw them some hslf-pence, and pre-
sentIy, the pony having recovered, we drove
on and in due time reached Buckingham,
and cIstteI ed into the yard OF the principal
inn.
The strange woman got down first, and
begged that she might help me TO alight
She was very grateful for her ride, and
said she should be able to return TO Swan
bourne by q carri er's cart.
As / stepped down she was wishing me
good-dsy when suddenly she said
'Ma'am your Grape is unfastened, and ex-
cuss me, but think that you had brooch
on
1 put up my hand In alarm, and, sure
enough, my costly brooch was gone.
We hunted the bottom of the chaise In
vain.
It's them Ripsies,' said Sandy, In greal
CONSERVATION. It's them cOnfOunded gyp
sizes. They made the pony shy s-purpOse Il
take me off them that they might do theil
thieving.'