Year: 1874

oPuSotOhihS eye. hu Oruer was SGefn-
ly sent forth that all buying was to be
given up, and that "good money" was
no longer to be squandered for rub
bish. Yet it could be seen that. with
an extraordinary inconsistency, they
watched jealousy over every article of
the property, counting them and tax
ing good care to ascertain their value.
All our life in that house was of O sud
den changed. Our poor dear father
seemed to shrink and COVER away un-
der this despotism. As for me, I felt
that all happiness was gone and that I
was living in prison under the charge
OF la1lers. Many were the little furtive
walks he took with mel being no
older than eight or ten years-when we
would make our way guiltily to the
| narrow lane or street, to gaze at curl
osities which he dared not purchase.
Ii was miserable for me, whose hand
was In his, to note his wistful looks,
and even more miserable to see that
this was but part of his suherings un-
der this slavery, which grew moro and
more Calling every day.


1t was on one of those occasions that
we spied the grotesque teapot. The
sight brought the color to his cheeks,
, for he had nothing of that pattern in
the collection. It was exposed in q
poor, mean little den-not a curiosity
shop at ala kind of huckster's place.
Here the teapot was offered with view
to hndlng some purchaser who would
use it for the purpose of making tea.
he was enraptured with it. He could
at least ask the price. Four and six
pence-worth, he said, five guineas,
and would be worth double by-and-bye.
as we went out it was offered for three
and six. 1t was very tempting, but he
resisted it then.


The next day he took me out with
him for walk, hut this was for a
second inspection. He delayed long
before he could make up his mind, but
ut last the purchase was made. Then
1t was to be brought home, and then
came the difficulty. Where was it to
be placed for their Argus eyes would
detect the slightest change. But they
had an instinct that something was
wrong. The daughter was IN parler
window, looking up and down the
street, while she Il always thought Of
her as though she were a unique, like a
teapot opened the door and gave a
policeman-like glance at his figure.
The grotssque was hidden away under
his coat. but great protuberapce re-
vealed the place of concealment. We
were both arrested, the trembling vic
tim assailed by both women and the
grotesque oonfscated on the spot, as,
indeed, all his treasures had been al
ready. saw them later inspecting it
curlously and with eager eyes, for they
had suspicion of it's value, and, after
all, trusted to his Judgment.


Indeed, latterly I noticed that this
pair were inspecting the cabinets, and
more than once had surprised them
with their heads bent down over some
little cup or figure.


One day, too, heard them talking
earnestly about some one they called
"Dimbley's man" and what he had
said. This did not make much impress
sion, but in day or two I again heard
remark about Dimbley's man to the
effect that he was coming tomorrow.
In our next little walk, grown curious
about the matter, I asked my father:


"Who is Dimbley's man, father ?"


He started.


"Why % he said, "what about him :?
What do you know about him? Who
wants him?


These questions were put quickly
and with agitation. I told him what +
had heard, when he almost gave q cry
and turned sharply round to 60 home.


l see what they are at. I suspected
it. They want to sell the things"


We returned hurriedly-he was in a
perfect fever, and, when he entered,
flew to inspect his treasures, which he
found all safe, though he discovered
the two women busily engaged in peer
ing into the cabinets and handling them
cautiously. But with them was q gen.
tlemsnly and fluent parsonage who was
giving his opinion and admiling the
collection.


He read the whole situation at
glance. The color flew to his cheeks,
and, with vehemence that was wholly
artificial and unnatural, he addressed
the party.


81 know we'll what all this means"
he said "I'll not have it'll not al
low it. 1t is robbery. I'll not part
with these things but with my life. Go
away, sir" he said to the gentlemanly
man "this is my property. They are
not to be valued or sold"


To do him justice, the gentlemanly
man was much put out at .his incident,
and declared truly that he had merely
come, as he supposed, at Mr.. Crinkle-
toms request. And then he took his
departure at once. Then my father
turned on them.


"Let a finger be laid on my
treasures" he cried, "and I'll do some
thing desperate. I'll send them away
tomorrow to some museum-give them
sooner than have them scattered. Mind,
take warning, for they are part of my
life."


The two ladies were much taken
aback at this sudden explosion, and
even tried to soothe him. But for the
rest of the day he was terribly excited,