The Newtown bee., 1898-09-16


1t was funny to call such little dot of
blue-eyed, flaxen-haired child by such
a formidable name as "Polly the ExplOr-
err" her baby name of pleasant Polly''
was much more appropriate, but her
Grandpa Langton began it and it was in
this way. She was his especial pet and
in her pale-blue gown, for in blue she was
always dressed, went following him about
almost as closely as his shadow and 80
quiet in her ways was she that no one
seemed to consider that she listened to
whatever was said and remembered 1t as
well. One summer morning Grandpa
LAngton was saying as he sat on a rude
bench in front OF the village store, chat
ting of the collapse Of the Alaska gold
excitement
'. "Yes, went to California in 40, and
might write quite q story OF my adven-
lures and explorations"
whats 'splorationsr' abruptly asked
Polly, who, as usual, was leaning against
his knee.
:
one" and the store-keeper shook his head
knowingly as he said:-
California was one of the strange
places in them days sure enough, strang-
d, er even than Alaska is now. l remember
we about gave you up for lost when you
" went away, and remember when you
came back, sir, and that big watch chain
- that you wore that you said was made of
gold you dug yourself" .:...
$50 1t was" said Grandpa Langton,-
$50 1t was. l told the truth, and thought
the world Of that great ugly yellow chain
r. because it was worth it's weight and
%, because II stood to me for many hours of
hard work. ..."
"You haven't worn it for a long time.
should think you would put 1t on again.
1t would be curiosity to many people"
' .''No doubt it would said the old gen.
tlemap, land I'lll tell you why / don't
81 wear It. 7 never have said much about it,
w but 1 lost that chain years ago. 1t was
stolen of my vest, must have been, and |
q" never have seen IL SINCE" f."
"And you never told of II, uor advertis-
ed Il, nor anythingP'' ..--.- 81
a .-A'Because 1t wasn't of any use. knew
who took IL and I've been watching to see
III ii ever showed up. I've been playing
detective on that fellow all these years.
I won't tell who ID was, but I'll tell how
lit happened You remember when the
20 railroad was built through here took the
contract for the stone work, and when
u the men were putting In the eulvert down
back OF my house / was there superin-
tending and had on that chain, always
wore It Ia them days. There was big
gang OF men, the derrick got out OF order
and some hard lifting had to be done. i
knew who stood next me and knew that
q when the stone was la place the chain
/ was gone. i snppose be had the chance
and couldn't resist the temptation"
f@You might have lost it," z = ~ b.,
ii NO, II looked but ! knew 1t couldn't
have got away without hands" Il
.ieg t'Was the watch lost, teog'' aeA w !.
y NJ No, but twas an old one, and didn't
2 count, but that chain was worth az much
20 me as the cplvert TO the railroad COM
= pany. nsataes a,f ~ trnaaaa g. aHeat !
II ,ssWhat's RculvertS" aaked Polly, who
had probably been puzzling over the
!. word since Il, was 6rst mentioned. e
80 1.-THE euIyert carries the brook under
the railroad" answered grandpa, lifting
the dainty blue-gowned figure 10 his kns
'sSomsfla like . iesophentqhsA n b
'sNot Bit, little one. Some day when
va 10 20 tbe Jingle for strawberries we
will ITO the railroad and explore the
cufvert.o ss..sa sssisf aaaja II, b ss8ia +.
1T nsed 30 be . pretty walk TO follow