The Springdale news., 1888-12-14

- beautiful boy, the least-were not nat ure's vagaries well known-likely to be born among and belong to such surroundings, who stood between the legs of the man himself, who had his back to the visitors and was crouching low over the scanty fire. The man turned his head for a mo- ment, gave blank stare, then an inn perceptible nod, and once more he glowered down upon the fire.
 Here, little ones; do you see this gentleman? He's conjuror. Know what conjuror is, Tommy" catching up mite of four or five from the floor. No, not you; nor you, Sarah; nor you, Jakey and he ran through all their names.
 They had now ceased their gam l bols and were staring hard at their visitors-the moment was propitious; Jack Newbiggin began. He had fortunately filled his pockets with nuts, oranges and cakes before leaving the parsonage, so he had half his ap paratus ready in hand.
 The pretty boy had very soon left the father at the fire and had come over 10 join in the fun, going back, however, to exhibit his share of the spoil and describe voluminously what had occurred. This and the repeated shouts of laughter seemed to produce some impression on him. Presently he looked over his shoulder and said, but without animation:
 ''lt is very good of you, sir, surely; very good for you to take so kindly to the little chicks. It does them good to laugh a bit, but it ain't much as they we had to make 'em lately.
 'It is good for all of us now and again, take it" said Jack, desisting and going towards him, the children gradually collecting in a far off corner and comparing notes. You can't laugh. sir, if your heart s heavy; if you do it can be only d sham. o
 While he was speaking he had taken ing his seat began to turn the leaves over
 I'm an untaught, rough country man, sir, but 1 have heard tell that these strange things you do are only tricks; ain't it sop
 Here was indeed d hopeful symptom. He was reused then to take some in- terest in what had occurred.
 Al tricks, of course; it all comes Of practice said Jack, as he proceed ed to explain some of the simple proc esses, hoping to enehain the mans at tention.
 That what thought, sir. or I q have given you q job to do I've been iii want of d real conjuror many a long day, and nothing lessll do. See here, sir, he said, as he took small, care fully-folded paper from between the leaves of the Bible, do you see this?o
 It was half Bank of England note for f100.
 sHow, sir, could any conjuror hell me to the other half?a
 "How did you come by it?" asked Jack at once.
 "In tell you, sir, short as l can make it. Conjuror or no conjuror, you've got kindly heart, and I'm main sure that you'll help if you can v
 Dan then described how he had picked up the basket from the 10:45 Liverpool express.
 There was the linen; I've kept it. See here; all marked quite pretty and proper, with lace round the edges as though its mother loved to make the little one smart. "
 Jack examined the linen; it bore a monogram and crest. The first he made out to mean H. l.. NJ, and the crest was plainly two hammers crossed, and the motto: .I strike mot a com mon crest-and he never remembered to have seen it hefore-
 And was that all?
 :" Cept the bank note. That was in poor old purse with a pawn-ticket and thimble. l kept them all.
 Like a true detective Jack examined every article minutely The purse bore the name Hester Gorrigan, in rude letters inside, and the pawn-ticket was made out in the same name.
 THE SECOND HALF.
 When Jack Newbiggin got back to the parsonage he found that his host had accepted an invitation for them both to dine at the Big House. as it was called, the country seat of the squire of the parish.
 "I have been fighting your battles all day." began Mrs. Sitwell. the host ess, when seated at dinner next to Jack