Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-03

out the gOlu nlleu tODdccO pouSh Aoh
careful inspection to assure himself
that he was not dreaming. Not so
Philip. The only dominant feeling In
his brain was one of annoyance that
he should have doubted for one single
instant that means would be given him
to secure absolute and undisputed con-
troll Of his treasure.
But there remained the problem OF
weight. His original idea was to wrap
the actual body Of the meteor In the
stout sack he obtained from O'Brien
and then inclose all his valuables IN a
tin trunk which he would purchase
next morning. ANY ordinary trunk
would certainly be spacious enough,
but its phenomenal weight would un-
Questionably evoke more comment than
he desired, and II would need two
strong men to lift 1t.
This portion of his plan needed 20 be
entirely remodeled, and he was now
more than ever thankful that the ESQ,
save one expended, reposed In his
pocket With money, all things, or
nearly all things, were possible.
Owing to the cramped space in which
the meteor lay, 1t was no small task to
bring it to the surface in sections, but
he persevered. BY strenuous endeavor
he accumulated an astonishing pile OF
iron ore studded with diamonds, look
ing not unlike almonds in a brown
cake, and the guttering candle held low
down failed to reveal anything else In
the hole. There was n good deal OF
debris at the bottom, and the depth was
now over four feet. To reach to It's
full extent he was compelled to Jam
bis head and shoulders into the excava-
ton and feel blIndly with one hand, so
he rightly concluded that final ex-
animation might be left until daylight.
By this time he was hot and covered
with dirt. He stripped, washed himself
In front of the fire and changed into
his new clothes.
He did not possess looking glass.
but he felt sure that he presented re-
markably different appearance when
attired In n neat serge suit. a clean
shirt and reputable boots. His first i'm
pulse was to thrust his discarded gar
ments into the fire, but sentiment pre-
vailed, and he folded them into q par
Gel.
Then he extinguished his candle and
went out. To his exceeding surprise he
discovered that it was nearly 0 o'clock.
Time had indeed flown.
The shops in the Mile End road open
early and close late He entered Il
restaurant where he was unknown,
passing. as Il matter OF policy, the cof-
fee stall Of his kindly helper Of those
former days now so remote In his
crowded memories. After eating a
hearty meal, for which he was thor
oughly prepared, he rendered sover'
eign in payment.
The proprietor barely glanced at him.
Philip was now well dressed, according
to local ideas, and his strong, erect
figure, his resolute face, added two or
three years to his age when contrasted
with the puny standard Of fifteen as
set by the poverty stricken East End
He had forgotten to buy necktie
and q new pair Of stockings. These
omissions he now rectified, and he also
purchased a warm, dark gray travelling
rug, several yards Of drugget, ball OF
twine and q pair Of scissors. A couple
of stout but worn leather portmanteaus
caught his eye.
"Those are cheap" said the salesmar
quickly, "only Is shillings each.'
"I'm not sure can afford so much,'
said Philip hesitatlngly. for the rug
alone cost Fl GS.
"They're a real bargain-real leather.
They were never made under f3 each.
"Oh, very well! I will take them"
He produced IS, got his change and
walked away with his goods without
causing any wonderment The shop
man was only too glad to have such a
customer ut that late hour.
Philip BOW knew that he was fairly
safe, but he decided that billycock
hat gave him a more mature appear
ance than a cap. This alteration being
effected, he hurried off to Johnson's
News and re-entered his domicile with
out incident worthy of note.
Very quickly. with the help of drug
get. scissors and twine. the two smal!
bortmanteaus werespacked with pieces
of the meteor and the paper covered
parcels already prepared. When each
bag weighed about forty pounds he
stuffed the remaining space with rolled
up newspapers, closed and locked them.
He estimated that three larger leather
bags, these being less noisy than tin,
would hold the remainder Of the me-
teOr.
As the next morning would find him
occupation enough. he decided to do Us
much as possible that night Three
times he sailed forth and returned
with good sized valise. He paid
prices varying from f2 los. to e los.
and always bought secondhand goods.
He had locked and strapped the
fourth of his goodly array of travelling
bags when he fancied he heard a foot
step in the news. Such an occurrence
would have troubled him not jot a
week ago. Tonight 1t was extremely
disc0ncerting.
Notwithstanding the weight OF the
packed portmanteaus, especially the
larger one. he lifted each bodily In his
arms and ran with 1t into the tiny
scullery. On the front window there
was no blind, only small, much worn