The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-06-11

Oh uCh IAc OAO ScuIAeu1du dC once d.
being singular that this man should
claim to be starving when not two
hours before he had been eating heart
lily from brown paper parcel in the
train. Tramps did not usually trave
by train-not inside of them, at any
rate-which was an additional cause
for suspicion. Uncle Michael deter
mined to Investigate the matter fur
Their, so he led the tramp to the back
Of the house, where a plate Of bread
and meat was set before him. he ate
sparingly for hungry man, but took
In the premises with seemingly care
less eye, while the account he gave OF
himself was far from satisfactory. He
claimed to have come from Albany on
foot, as was shown by the travel stain.
ed condition Of his shoes, which was
clearly a lie, for Mr.. Corrigan had
seen him travelling in an entirely oppo.
site direction and was more convinced
than ever that cast in the eye was
the brand of scoundrel. He declined
to give the fellow money and watched
him suspiciously until he left the
place, feeling instinctively that some
thing would bring him back again.
Richard, who was sitting on the
lawn with Miss Harriet, had also seen
the tramp as he limped through the
open carriage gate into the road. Bills
had ridden over to Tarrytown in quest
Of pipe tobacco for his master anG
was stopped by the vagrant at the en-.
trance Of the drive. Richard saw him
bend in his saddle, confer with the
mar for a moment or two then turn
Into the stable yard. Presently he re.
appeared and crossed to his master
with the tobacco which he had Sc.
cured
"Navy Capstan, M lord" he stated
triumphantly, "the kind wot you
smokes at 'ome, s:r''
'Thanks," said Richard. by the
way, Bills, what was that queer look.
ing beggar saying to you just now?"
Bills started slightly, as one ashamed
Of being seen in such evil company.
"Oh, i'm? Yes, sir. wy, e was
awskin' his way to the station, M lord
A rum sort, calls i'm, sir, beggin'
your pardon for
eyes, yes, Bills" Richard reproved
with show of Impotence. "That will
do. You may CO."
The valet bowed respectfully an6
departed, while Miss Harriet looked
at her companion in polite surprise.
"Why are you so short with him?''
she asked. ITO me he is perfectly de-.
licious. I don't believe he ever laugh
ed in all his life, did he?"
Richard lazily. II curb his tongue
from necessity. The fellow is inclined
to be loquacious. At times I am forced
to-ah-sit on him."
Miss Renwyck laughed.
"Do you know" she said, you are
becoming an American very rapidly:
Really, am beginning to be quite
vain of my success with a first pupil"
"My dear young lady," the Texan
answered in tone half banter, half
in earnest, which was deeper than she
dreamed, IF you should wish it I'd
gladly become-er-a kangaroo
Again Miss Renwyck laughed till
the silvery echoes reached the ears of
Michael Corrigan. who lounged on the
front veranda.
"By George" he chuckled to him.
self as he rubbed his hands in the
manner characteristic Of him, "that
young man is making progress!"
In the evening when Mr.. RenwycL
came up from the city Mr.. Corrigan
took him aside and related the days
experience with the tramp, suggesting
that detective be employed while the
valuable lot Of diamonds was in the
house. The two gentlemen, as has al
ready been stated, never got on to-
gether peaceably. If one of them of.
fered a suggestion the other found rea.
son to combat it vigorously, and in this
case Mr.. Renwyck took the opposite
side with a vengeance, poohpoohing
the possibility Of theft from start tc
finish.
''Why, my dear Michael" he said in
tone OF undisguised scorn, what you
say is nonsense, pure and simple. The
house is equipped from top to bottom
with a perfect system Of burglar
alarms, which set myself each night
Unless there is collision with some
person on the inside 1 not only defy
any light fingered gentleman to enter,
but I give him a cordial invitation to
try. No, sir! If you want to put a
Calling gun in your own house, do SO
by all means. In mine have no room
for artillery or an army of Pinkertons.
Now, don't you see how absurd you
are?'
"All right" assented Mr.. Corrigan.
"'I've warned you, and that's all I've
got to say. They're not my diamonds"
"Just wait moment, Michael" said
Mr.. Renwyck, walking after him. Il
want to show you what an idiotic
stand you have taken. You say the
man has cast in his eye: Very good;
I'll admit that, but I venture to say
that In the state of New York there
are from fwontv IN fhjr+-, +houco ~