The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-09-13


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 unquestion-
ably evoke more comment than he de-
sired. and 1t would need two strong
men to lift II.
This portion of his plan needed to be
entirely remodeled. and he was now
more than ever thankful that the Jews
fifty pounds. 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 ii was no small task
to bring II to the surface in sections
But he persevered. BY strenuous en-
deavor he accumulated an astonishing
pile OF iron ore studded with diamonds,
looking not unlike almonds in a brown,
cake, the guttering candle held low down
failed to reveal anything else in the
hole. There was a good deal of debris
at the bottom, and the depth was now
over four feet. To reach to its full ex-
tent he was compelled to jam his head
and shoulders into the excavation and
feel blindly with one hand. so he right
ly concluded that a final examination
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 a looking glass,
n fnls tlx.,N L.
markably different appearance when at
tired in neat serge suit, a clean shirt
and reputable boots. His first impulse
was to thrust his discarded garments
into the fire. but sentiment prevailed,
and he folded them into a parcel
Then he extinguished his candle and
went out. To his exceeding surprise he
discovered that it was nearly 9 o'clock
time had indeed flown.
The shops in the Mile End road open
early and close late. He entered q
restaurant where he was unknown.
passing. as 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
oushly prepared. he rendered soVer-
eign in payment.
The proprietor barely glanced at him |
Philip was now well dressed. according
10 local ideas. and his strong. erect fig
ure, 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 a necktie and
a pair of stockings These omissions he
now rectified. and he also purchased
warm. dark-gray travelling rug. several
yards of drugget, a bali of Irvine and
q pair of scissors. A couple of stout but |
worn leather pOrtmanteaux caught his !
eye.
Those are cheap" said the salesman. !
quickly. only fifteen shi!lngs each"
I'm not sure | can afford so much"
said Philip. hesitatinsly. for the rug
alone cost one pound six shilings
They're rare bargain-real leather |
they were never made under three |
pounds each
fOh. very we'll / will take them" |
He produced three pounds. got his
change, and walked away with his
goods without causing any wonderment |
The shopman was only too glad to have /
such customer at that late hour
Philip now knew that he was fairly |
safe. but he decided that a billy-cock |
hat gave him a more mature appear
ance than a cap. This alteration being
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 Irvine. the two small
We're packed 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
1p newspa pers, 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
occupat ton enough. he decided to do as /
much as possible that night Three
times he sailed forth and returned with
4 good-sized valise. He paid prices vary
ing from two pounds ten shillings to
three pounds fifteen shillings. and al
ways bought secondhand goods
He had locked and strapped the fourth
Of his gOodly array of travelling bags
when he fancied he heard footstep in
the news. Such an occurrence would |
have troubled him not a lot a week .
ago. Tonight 1t was extremely discon-
certinG.
Notwithstanding the weight of the
packed portmanteaux. especially the
larger one, he lifted each bodily in his
arms and ran with it into the tiny soul
ery. On the front window there was
no blind. only a small much-worn cur
tain covering the lower panes, and he
lid not want any stray loafer to gaze in /
at him and discover a large quantity
IF luggage In such disreputable howell |
When the fourth bag was disposed of |
n the dark recess of the scullery he
paused for an instant to listen. There
vas not sound. Through the window
lie could dimly discern the roof of the |
deserted stables opposite.
He bent again to the task of packing /
he fifth pOrtmanteau, and was placing
n 1t the last parcel of ore and dia-
nonds when some of the heavy contents /
ell through one end where the drug L
ret wrapping had been hastily folded
Shaking the package on the floor as
| grocer beats down the contents of
ugar bag, he picked up the fallen spec
mems and put them in, one by II
ne. A large lump of ore had
allen apart when II dropped. Inside
here was a huge kernel. rough dia-
nond quite as large as hens egg.
Philip smiled as he recalled his boast
0 Isaacstein. He examined the stone
and realized that if it were
awless 1T must be one of the marvels
( creation. Without experiencing any
ositive motive he slipped this unique