The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-07-06
''pecauee, SIR" replied. Mr.. Priddy,

which no longer rightfully belongs to
me. To put the matter on business
footing. what will you give me to
show you exactly the whereabouts OF
the money!
Why" said Mr.. vandervcltt, an ex-
preston Of pcrplexity coming into his
stolid countcnance II don't know
what to say. How do know you are
not u swindler, for instnaceT And
Mr.. Vandervelt tried TO force "a very
knowing scowl.
"Oh, as to that" replied Mr.. Priddy,
with superior smile. "give me Il
shovel and | will reassure you at
once"
"Good"' replied the city gentleman,
rising. There is still light TO see by.
Lead the way, sir"
Hold! the bargainr' said the seedy
man, picking up his hat and halting
upon the threshold. "lf the money Is
there ! take half. Is that fair?'
ut will b. quite fair If the money is
there" said Mr., Nanderveldt
Mr.. Priddy took the shovel. and, car
rying II In his hand, walked straight
to the large, oval plot In the middle
of the green, pausing to gaze about
him when he arrived on the edge of II,
as though 10 get his correct bearings
Mr.. Priddy then fell 10 digging The
earth was moist, and the large, brown
sods were easily turned
Mr., Nandcrveldt, regardless Of the
flying mold, drew to the edge of the
plot and stood staring with eXpectant
gaze down into the slowly-ieepeuing
hole.
Suddenly the blade Of the shovel
sinote something hard. and there was
slight sound of the splintering of
wood. Mr.. Prlddy redoubled his ef
forts without y word. Mr. Wander
veldt gave vent to a deep "ah"
In another moment a small, square
box was disclosed to view, the wood 0f
IL discolored almost to the hue of the
clay soil which still adhered in Jumps
70 IL.
For heavens sake" cried Mr.. Van
derveidt, fairly overcome with excite
ment 'let us go in the house and
divide. The money, man--the money!
The city man, with trembling hand.
lighted the gas. Mr.. priddy took up
the door mat and very carefully de
posted the befouled box upon H.
The shovel had shattered the fragile
lid. and with the aid of carving
knife he speedily prled open the splln-
hand, he drew forth small red, cun.
vas bag, nearly round in shape, ami
tightly bound with cord at the
mouth.
Cut lt!'' cried the portly city gentle
man, thrusting a knife into Mr.. Prid-
dy's hand, when that worthy had been
calmly trying to undo the knot for
about three minutes.
II trust you are no longer inclined
to question the motive of my visitY'
said the seedy man, passing the keen
blade through the string.
20, hang it. no! There. open. do!
Ahw
y large heap Of glittering gold rolled
out upon the snowy tablecloth as Mr..
Priddy turned the canvas bag upside
down.
Both men stood regarding il for
moment In silence; then Mr.. Wander
veldts fat hand wandered mechanic
ally toward the little pile, and he
fell to counting.
"Ah, that's light" said Mr. Priddy.
See how much we have here"
Five hundred dollars" announced
the city man, after long interval of
silence.
Good. I thought as much. Two-ffty
each. A good nights work. Mr. Van
derveldt."
MY friend, you have behaved like
true gentleman. The money was all
within your grasp, yet you chose To
say, No, II belongs to the owner of
the house" Give ME your hand. Mr..
Priddyw
And now let US dividew continued
the city man.
Stay! One little favor. Mr.. Van
dervelt. Two hundred and fifty dol
lars In gold is no light weight. Would
you give me paper for the amount,
your check or notesT"
with pleasure" replied Mr.. Van
derveldt; and going to desk he un-
locked IL, drew forth check book.
and, filling In check for the amount.
handed IL TO the seedy man. who. with
the greatest sang froid imaginable,
placed 1t in the breast pocket of his
shabby jacket.
The two men sat awhile smoking
and chatting. and then Mr.. Priddy
took his leave and departed.
Again Mr.. Vanderbilt sat after din
ner complacently surveying his gar
den, this time in the company Of his
wife and daughter.
Again there came tap at the door.
again the servant maid announced a
visitor, and again she was directed to
show him in.
A tail man IN a frock coat entered.
bowling very politely to nobody in par
tcular, In manner peculiar 10 shop
walkers
Mrs. Vanderveldt instantly recog-
nized him as Mr. Mercer, the silk mer-
chant, TO whom she was under various
pecuniary obligations.
Very sorry TO trouble you sir. at
this unseemly hour" said Mr. Mercer.
with an apOlogetic glance at the table
cloth. "Do you remember settling
little account of mine this afternoon.
slr?"
II gave you eight eagles" said Mr..
Vanderveldt
The shopman put his hand into his
pocket and produced the eight pieces
of money which he laid upon the
table
You are gentleman. sir" said he.
bOWing toward the fat t.ity man