Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-23
A CHANCE OBSERVATION.

One day while studying sun spots with my
telescope. which was fine and powerful in
strument, It occurred to me TO fit my terres-
trial eye piece TO the tube and amuse myself
looking around the country. l had fire.
quently tested the power Of my glass by read
ing the time on church clock In neighbor-
ing town, and counting lightning rods on
distant buildings and in various other ways,
and never tired Of making fresh tests
On this day had been through my rou.
tine, and, while sweeping the glass slowly
around for fresh objects Of interest, | saw,
through vista In a distant piece of woods,
two men carrying a small but seemingly
heavy trunk.
knew the woods perfectly, having become
familiar with every square yard of it in my
cunning expeditions
The sight of two men carrying trunk in
the woods was singular enough TO excite my
curiosity. Ispeculated on their probable err
rand, and, remembering that there was
railroad station not far from there, decided
that they were ON their way to intercept
train.
As | watched, the two men, putting the
trunk down and using it for seat, began an
animated conversation, which, judged, was
an argument. Ny opinion was based on their
gestures and facial expressions, which l
could see plainly.
One or the men WIS much taller than the
,cher, much better dressed, and had much
liner features The other, who was Of low
stature, but very powerful looking, owing to
great breadth of shoulders and depth of chest,
was dressed Like laborer.
could see these men so plainly that II
scanned strange that could not hear their
voices; and felt so much like an eavesdrop-
per that when they started simultaneously
and looked in my direction instinctively
shrank back to avoid observation.
They must have heard some noise which
startled them, for they rose quickly and
stood in attitudes which betokened expect
ancy. They stood thus alert, watchful and
apparently listening, for a few instants, and
then resumed their seats, as II what had dis
turbed them was no longer an object Of
anxiety.
The tall man soon rose, In a decisive
sort Of WY, and the other, rather reluctantly
that the tall man had sent him back for soue
forgotten piece of baggage. 1t seemed mai
ural that the relations of the two men should
be those Of master and servant; but | could
not understand the equality indicated by
the mutual labor OF carrying the trunk, or
the apparently familiar air OF discussion.
No; / was mistaken In my surmise; the
servant, II be were such, had not gone more
than a few steps, for here he was again,
bearing pickax and spade
The tall man in the meantime had been
walking about as if selecting spot to bury
the trunk, for be pointed to large hollow
beside q granite bowlder, where the servant
began digging, after having cleared away the
leaves which had collected there
While the servant was digging the master
sat on the bowlder watching him ut work,
and smoking cigar which saw him take
from pocket cigarette case and light.
When the hole was ready the two men
lifted the trunk into it and the short one COW
cred it with earth he had thrown out and
then carefully covered the place with leaves.
The spot selected was good ons for the pur-
pose, as the hollow merely looked a little
shallower than before
After the short man had carefully con-
csaled the tools beneath projecting part Of
the rock and filed the crevice with leaves,
the two held short conversation and sep
arated, going in different directions the tall
man toward the railroad station and the
other IN the direction from which they had
come with the trunk. Just as the man dis
appeared heard steps coming up the obssrv.
atory stairs.
drew q long breath, as one does after hav-
ing finished chapter in an interesting book,
and, turning from my glass, saw servant
bringing me a telegram. It bore the an
nouncGmsnt Of near relatives death, and It
drove from my mind all thought of the oc-
eurrence which had just sngrossed my attan-
ticn 50 thoroughly.
As soon as could get train was on my
way 10 distant city, where had TO repre-
SAINT my family at the funeral of my late
relative
tanning to my relatives estate detained me
somewhat more than month
Soon after my return home I heard Of a
robbery which had been committed in the
neighboring town Of - a month or more
before.
Mr.. Hammond, wealthy gentleman, who
owned q fine place on the bank Of the -
river, had been robbed Of several thousand
dollars worth Of jewelry, silverware and
other things, among which was a very fine
collection Of precious stones, both cut and
uncut
No trace Of the stolen articles had been
found, nor had any clew to the identity Of
the burglars been discovered
Finding, by comparing dates, that the rob
bery was committed the night before | left
home, jumped at q conclusion; the men in
the woods whom I had seen making the
strange burial Of trunk were the robbers,
and were burying their plumber On the day
following the robbery.
I had spoken to no one Of what saw that
day; In fact, did not remember thinking Of
that scene ngnin until / heard Of Mr.. Ham,
monds loss.
Thinking 1t duty to inform Mr. Ham
mond Of what had seen drove over to -
the next day, and called at his house, al
though personally wo were unknown to zach
other.
Twas ushered into the parlor by tho ser
want, who took my card to his master, and
waited some time for his appearance While
thinking over what should say by way Of
introduction to the story had come to tell
WINS startled by seeing before me in tho door
way one Of the very men had seen bury the
trunk It was the tall, well dressed ons
Before had recovered from the shock Of
surprise caused by the sight Of him, he ad-
vanced with the ease Of well bred host and
welcomed me, calling my name and putting
the matter beyond q doubt that this was Mr..