Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-03

have been warm enough without it, but
1t was well to be on the safe side.
The remaining coffee was picked over
as rapidly as if Mrs. Grateson herself had
been at it. Meanwhile the boys wondered
how much money the precious stones
would bring and where the treasure was
to be sold. 1t never occurred to them
that the stones were not their own, but
be longed to Mr.. and Mrs. Grateson, who
thereunto appertaining. Neither did they
think to consult their parents, for the great
find was delicious secret, and all boys
delight in secrets. Both had read stories
In which some one named Tiffany, in New
York, was alluded to a dealer in jewels.
so they finally agreed to send the stones
to Mr.. Tiffany by mail, and ask him to
return whatever money they were worth.
But what job and what a risk it was!
First, the stones had to be packed SO that
no one through whose hands they passed
would know what was in the package, for
although the local postmaster was as hon.
est as school day was long, there might
be thieves in the New York post office.
The town merchants packed eggs in bran
to keep them from shaking and breaking
during shipment, SO the boys got small
button box, put a layer of bran in the
bottom, laid the stones. wrapped in
paper, upon It, and then made all snug
placed several thicknesses of paper. fasten-
ed with the best of kite PASTE and thor
oughly dried before the fire.
Then came the question of postage. They
and found it made about four ounces.
They learned, by cautious inquiry, that all
closely sealed packages required letter
postage, which at that time, from the boys
town to New York, was at the rate of 10
cents per half ounce. Eighty cents,-ulore
money than either boy had owned in all
his life! STILL they rose to the demands of
the occasion; they fished industriously
every afternoon after school. selling their
catch to the farmers whose wagons passed
along the river road, and in about a fort
night the price of the stamps was ac-
cumulated. This time was not entirely
wasted. though. for they thought to add
postscript to their letter, asking for pay
ment in very large bills, SO that the bulk
of the remittance might not attract atten-
tion. There were TO postal orders or
registered letters at that time and as there
were no banks in the vicinity. nor had the
boys reached the commercial end of the
arithmetic at school, they knew nothing
about bank checks.
Finally the precious parcel was stamp
ed, and the boys went together, after dark,
to drop it into the slot in the door of the
post office. Then they waited-waited a
long time. Seven days was the average
mail time between their village and New
York, SO they agreed to be as patient as
they could for full fortnight There was
plenty to busy their minds, however, for
they had to arrange about spending the
morey when it came. Charley was going
to lift a mortgage from his fathers place,
and give 1T to the good man as birthday
present if he could keep the affair secret
until then: Jack, not to be outcome In filial
affection, resolved to add to his home a
lean-to kitchen, for which his mother
longed.
But these were mere extras Each boy
was to have his own horse-the very best
the county could supply-and to wear red
topped boots every day of the week. They
would buy an assortment of guns too,
and take a trip to New Orleans, about
LOO miles distant, on the Trusty, and see
Capt. SANS diamond pin all they liked
!,
it would be, while they were in the great
southern city, to buy big diamond pins
themselves, and make Capt. Sam sick with
envy during the return trip! Maybe they
would buy stock of goods, with which to
go into business for themselves on their re-
turn; they rather thought a candy store,
with soda fountain annex, would be about
the thing, for soda water had only re-
Gently made its appearance, and they never
had been able to get enough of it. Most
important of ALL each should have the
very longest fish pole that could be pur-
chased in New Orleans, from which city
all the long bamboo rods came; there were
no such things jofnted rods. that Jack
and Charley knew of, but the boy who
rad the longest bamboo pole in town was
king CT all the boys, and could use bad
language to bigger boys without being
kicked for it.
AS the fortnight neared its end Charley
and Jack hurried to the post office when
ever the horn of the mail carrier was heard
The address they had given was Charley's
whose family had a box at the post office
and one day there came from that box a
piiky envelope, addressed Charles Crate
son. esd" Chariey's hand trenibled so as
he took it that he dropped it. Jack quickly
picked 1t up, and almost tainted, for-Some-
thing Ia 1t ratified. The stones had re-
turned.
Perhaps" Charley whispered, as they
walked quickly away, almost leaning upon
eacn other for support, as they listened to
the omlouS rattle of the stones which
simply would not keep quiet, no matter
how the envelope was held, perhaps he
wants US to name price. Some business
men never make an offer"
Perhaps. suggested Jack. in uncertain.
feeble tones. Mr.. Tiffany don't buy pre-
cious stones in the rough'
The boys sneaked into a neighborirs
barn. opened the letter. and read as fol-
lows:
Dear Sir: We return herewith the stones
Yours, truly, TIFFANY & CO."
About that time the silence in that barn
became so heavy that each boy felt himself
compressed to about six inches of height,
II was several moments before the two
pairs of eyes would meet and remain SO;
then Charley tried to smile, but 1t was such
a siekly effort that Jack tried to laugh at
1t, and he failed miserably. The boys saw
each other nome two or three times before
either could think of anything to talk about.
but finally Charley said:
Jack, guess our old fish poles are long
enough: don't You think sop
The worst thing about the experience was
that Charley's mother felt greatly provoked
when she found one of her window panes
spoiled by name that had been scratched
across it. She wondered many times who
named George" had been in that kitchen
unknown to her; and Charley said, with en-
tire truthfuness. that he was sure he didn't
Know. unless 1t was the peddler who strayed
in the last day that coffee was picked over.
Charley was ordsred to keep on watch for
the peddlsr, so that his mother might give
the fellow piece of her mind and his
father could give him thrashing and
make hiEl pay for new glass.
Both boys again went to fishing as bus
mess. until they earned enough money to
buy window pane and some putty, both Of
which were expensive in the good old times
of which I am writing, and Mr. and Mrs,
Grateson were so surprised that they be-
came suspicious; so finally Charley, calling
in Jack to give him moral support and
otner assistance. told the whole story of
the great find. 1t ought to have made them
happy to note how the tale amused Mr..
AMI Mrs. Gratcson, bit 1t didn't; and when
the good people saw how miserable the
boys were they rendered cake and good ad-
vice. part of which was to put the spoiled
glass in a picture frame, and take turns.
week on and week off. of hanging it m their
rooms, to remind them never again to keep
secrets from their parents.
Both boys became quite well off when
they grew up, but neither of them ever