The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-15
~ Harvest Mystery.


his quarry. That this part OF the city
wag 10 be their resting place appeared
10 have been gathered from a remark
they had made before starting; and
tho ugh had little hope Of finding them.
and expected that the whole would be
but herring trailed across the scent
10 nislead. / readily accompanied the
man 10 the Grassmarket. The hrst
Face visited produced no clue TO the
culprits; but the second, which was
crowded TO the door by noisy collec-
tion OF shearers OF every age and ap-
pearanoe, was more fruitful When We
entered the room there were at last
fifty weary travellers grouped around.
some seated on forms, others squatted
on the bare floor, all busy talking, pro-
testing. shouting, or eating. generally
at hard bread. cheese or bacon. the
more difficult to digest the more profit-
able To the poor hard-working eaters:
but the moment the hat Of the county
constable appeared within the doorway.
dead silence fell on all. The proprie-
tor OF the establishment, fearful of
lines for overcrcwding. was stepping
forward to volubly explain that not
one-half of those present were 10 sleep
in fhs plac.. that night. when 1 raised
hand sharply, and motioned TO the
constable 10 speak
.'Is there one Mrs. O'Donnel here.
with her boy Phelim and her girl Al
leen?" he demanded, in voice start
ing encug. i'm lis otiicial-like stern
ness 10 make every one present glance
fearfuily and suspiciously at his neigh
bor."
Yes sur. I'm here. and my children
with me-" came at once from the other
end of the room; and Mrs. ODonnei
moved forward somewhat excitedly,
saying, lis there anything wrong that
we're axed for?'
There was a deep stiffness I'm the long
room. as the three moved forward, and
stood alone in the long circle-of won
dering faces with the keen eye of the
constable running quickly over their
cOuntenances in search OF guilty hush
or covering look.
That is what we're here 10 try TO
find out. You left the Hillside farm to-
day. didn't you?''
Yes. sur"
What did you take away with you?''
Not n rag-not a ha'pOrth but what
was our own" vehemently answered
the mother. evidently becoming more
uneasy. What should swe take. I'd
like to know? Were not thayes. else
YOU wouldn't see our feet cut and sore
wild rough roads
The reasoning like most advanced by
her sex. was somewhat defective. and
the stolid constable had no time to
waste on the niceties OF language.
w mere your tH'ii
out II you don't want to go with me.
he said. with business-like promptitude,
being evidently accustomed 10 deal with
her class after fixed idea OF his own.
You've nothing 10 hide. ! suppose; and
as there r. information against YOU,
p'r'aps it's the best plan you could foi-
low. though it's not in our power To
force YOU 10 IL here.
May the curse of heaven light or
me and my children. II YOU find that
we've tuck anything that's not our
own" fervently returned Mrs. ODon-
mes, as she produced her unopened bun
die and placed IL i'm the hands OF the
constable. There's my bundle: open
IL before all these good paiple, and IL
lie you ray punish me Tor IT.
The bundle was opened and every
separate article carefully examined. but
nothing found which might not be
picked up for nothing any morning
from our city dust heaps.
is that all you've got?' asked the
constable. after whispering 90 me. ex.
pressing suspicion that they had rid
themselves of the plunder on entering
the city.
'All. but the money we've earned by
slavin' night an day since we KEN
over" cried the mother. beginning 90
breathe again. except Pbelim's bundle,
wild the stockings and shirts.
Where's Phelim's bundle?" asked
the constable.
Here. sir" and Phelim turned right
round as he spoke, and showed IL yet
fastened on his back. Sure l forgot
il was there until this mint. theuGh
might have felt tho weight of il afte:
carryin' IL so far"
And We may save yourself the bother
OF opening IL. for | put Il up myself
and was particular that nothing went
in II that worn't our own observed the
he. 81 lt,s, i'd
the boys shoulder and opened before
her eyes.
Nothing but shirts and stockings
you said?" inquiringly returned the
constable. What do y1u call this?'
and he held up large horn-handled
.pocket-knife. with one large blade. and
"a hole through the handle for string
lis this yours
Both mother and the boy stared at
the knife in mute surpriseand at length
the face OF the former flushed stern and
severe as she turned on the boy for an
explanation.
mo. that's not ours. unless Phelim
got IL from anyone or found IL"
'Imphm, where the Hielantman
found tho tongs-at the fireside." drily
remarked the constable.
Speak up, Phelim!" cried the mother
in anguish. tn the speechless and star
ing boy. did yau find the knife and
"No mother: 7 never saw II till this
minute. w knew 81 was i'm the bun
dle." simply and earnestly answered
the boy: and something in his face
made me incline to believe that he
spoke the truth. till aneher exultaut
cry from my companion sent my with
a-noundering.
And you never saw this either,
suppDsc?' he added. turning out a
coarse worsted stocking. and producing
from the inside a silver verge watch.
with old ia sh' 'oned double cases. worth
at most 10 shillngs." and holding il up
before their eyes. This IL what I've
come so far u find. The knife I heard
nothing OF. though we may get an own
er for IL too. before We have done with
you.
A wall OF grief burst from the poor
mother. and. pale as death, and with
hands clssped I'm anguish. she turned
and fixed one long look OF reproach on
the fearful countenance OF the boy. Not
word was spokon--nothlng but the
mute, deathllke look OF horror and dis
may; but the glance spoke TO the boy
az no words could have done. and with
a shuddering cry he dropped to his