The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-02-18

shine came; andwhen, one day, Capt.
Ezekiel Midget was seen sitting on a
wooden milking stool, smoking his
pipe, in front of the open door, the
neighborhood all opened their eyes.
@@'Jest come back from the east,'
said Deacon Robbins.
Been alvin with. pashas and ef-
fendis,;' said John jerks, who had
once heard a lecture on the east.
'Makin' his fortune, I calculate,'
observed Billy Thaxter.
Don't look much like it," said
shrewd Mr.. Munday. Hes got on
the very same identickle coat he wore
when he went away; I'd know them
horn buttons if was to see 'em in
Jerusalem. And he hain't refurnish-
ed to signify; and there suit My amt
been no attempt to mend the broken
fences, nor patch up the stun walls
on the place.
Capt. Midget had commanded the
Nancy Belle, fishing schooner which
cruised from Maine to Florida, and
during one of his voyages he had fall
en- in with the captain of q Turkish
vessel, and allowed himself to be
tempted into the far regions of the
golden east.
After that all record ceased. except
that now and then rumor floated
back ofthe captains having been seen
by stray travellers, seated cross-leg-
ged on a cushion, smoking II prodi-
gious chibouque, in the companion
ship Of turbaned dignitaries and
salaa1ning slaves!
But of all this the captain would
bear no testimony.
Il did stay east a SPELL" was all
that he would say, "but I can't say
liked it,
The captains favorite niece Lucy
Ostrom, came down from Bidding
ham to live with him, and settle his
house.
Il don't want things no different
from what they be-" said the thank
less mariner.
ooh, but you can't live so, uncle"
said Mrs. Ostrom. And Nathan
would just as lief come down and live
here, as to work in the shoe factory
at Biddingham."
A sharp attack of genuine Connec-
ticut rheumatism accentuated Mrs.
Ostrom's advice, and Capt. Ezekiel
made no further objection to the
plan.
IL ucy's good creetur'," said he.
81 guess I'll let her have her own
way"
Uncle, is it true?' Mrs. Ostrom
asked, one day
SIS what true"' retorted the old
man, slowly, rubbing his swelled fin
gers with pine scented linirnent.
about your having a genuine
cashmere shawl that once belonged
to great begun in Wahwallah, in
India?' ...>
Eyes, it's true" said Capt. Ezekiel.
ooh, uncle, where is it,"
II left it in the bonded warehouse
in New York." answered the old man.
WAS it very pretty, unc]e?'' be-.
oval, it wasn't bad to look at"
Mrs. Ostrom's bright blue eyes
sparkled. ~"
''HOW l should like to see it!'' "
"Guess likely you wouldp' was the
dry rejoinder. IT,. i.
''Uncle!'' ,-.-..
"Wal?" "- ,'
"What are you going to do with
it?' ~ :, :
Capt. Ezekiel screwed up his face.
oval, l was calculatin' to hev it
sold at auction at Buckingham. Fri
day week." he answered, slowly. "lt
orter'd fetch a deal O. money, that
shawl. It's all sorts o'colors, and
that fine we can dror it through q
weddin' ring, if SO be ye're a mind
to-"
'Dear me!'' said Mrs. Ostrom.
The fame Of the begum's shawl
spread all through the place. Every
woman in Bidding Center had some
question to ask, or some statement
to make in regard to it. Not O soul
but secretly determined to put bid
for the treasure.