THE TIMES, NEW BLOOM FIELD, l'A. JAN U Alt Y 27 1860.
A Story of Detection.
MY EMPLOYMENT Is that of a car
ver In stone. Many years ago,
oon after I had learnt tny bUHlnes, the
firm lu whose employ I was undertook
I he erection of a gentleman's mansion,
and I was sent to execute the ornamen
tal work. The village near to where
the inanition was built was on the shore
f an estuary In the liny of Morecauie,
not far from a market town whose name
I need lint give. As my work would
keep me from home several weeks, a
good lodging was a most desirable thing;
but although I tried to get accommoda
tion in a private house, 1 failed, and was
forced to lodge In the village inn, the
Lord Admiral.
Among those who were in the habit
of frequenting the aforesaid holstery
was a man of singular habits and odd
temper. Ills home was about a mile
from the village, on the side of a lane
tending to a couple of farms. His house
like himself, was a queer one. Origin
ally it hud been built for the storage of
corn, the produce of fields at a distance
from the farmstead. Ksmchow, it had
ceased to be needed for that purpose; so
Its owner turned it Intoa dwelling-house
and as such It was now occupied by the
aforesaid strange man. It was divided
into three apartments on the ground
flfoor, one of which, a very large one
was set apart and used as a kind of mu
seum, its occupant being a stuffer of
birds and small quadrupeds. When lie
had no work of this sort for other per
sons, he worked for stock, and this large
room was his warehouse.
He was a man of ill temper and loose
habits, and for Borne time had borne a
dubious character. When people were
. asked why lie was suspected they could
not give a satisfactory reply. "He
lives," they said, "without doing work
equal to his expenditure, which looks
bad." As I got to know him I fouud
that he had au unamiable temper; was
morose, sour and at times . passionate.
He ww also fond of display, given to
-betting, and, like all such, led a loose,
uneven life, oftener loitering about than
at work. Bo I did not wonder that well
meaning people did not like him.
He mostly came on wet nights to the
Lord Admiral. As we became acquaint
ed he invited me to look over hia collec
tion of birds and quadrupeds. I was
pleased with what I saw. He had, in
deed, a good collection, and, as well as I
could judge, had done his work well.
He had also a good assortment of butter
dies and moths, and in a corner, close to
the celling, he bad what he called a but
terfly breeding box, which, he said, be
longed to his son, a young man of my
own age, also given to bird stuffing
amusements.
But I was most taken up with two an
imals which differed from therest. One
was a beautiful dog, and the other a
lusus natuns a lamb with the rudi
ments of a fifth leg, and some other
characteristics, which I have forgotten.
The old man said he had stuffed both for
their oiiginal owners, who had somehow
failed to take them away. They were
placed at one end of the room, one in
each corner, away from the window,
and close to the wall, where, except in
trong daylight, they could not be easily
seen. The connection of these particu
lars with my story will be seen in the
sequel.
I bad been in the village about six
weeks when the neighborhood was
aroused and alarmed one morning by the
report of the robbery of a Jeweler's shop
in the market town already referred to,
that had been effected during the pro
ceeding night. Much valuable property
had been taken. This robbery had been
effected In such a Way as led to the be
lief that a gang of practiced thieves had
done it. The prevailing question was,
"Do the robbers live among us, or have
they come from a distanceV" This query
was still going from mouth to mouth
when we were startled, astounded in
deed, by the report of a second robbery
of tbe same premises, and on the night
.following, by the breaking into and pur
loining of a provision warehouse in our
Tillage. Were I writing fiction, I would
not have made the robbers pay so soon a
second visit to tbe jeweler's, as such an
act would have been deemed preposter
ous; but I am reiterating what really
occurred, and so am forced to say what
I have said.
The jeweler had been so taken up with
efforts to find out the thieves, and regain
his first loss, that he had not placed ad
ditional guard over what was left, be
aldes he was sure, he said, that thieves
would not think of revisiting him for a
long time. As for the provision dealer,
be Baid in my hearing that he had no
fear of his place being entered, as be be
lieved robbers would not care to touch
property so bulky and of such inferior
value as bis.
But he had reckoned without his host,
for he had lost a fine ham, a large lot of
tea, a deal of spices, a few boxes of ci
gars, and indeed a portion of most of
alarm occasioned by these robberies
were great and widespread.
Two batches of detectives, one from
Lancaster and the other from Kendal,
came to our village to see what they
could find out. The were hot short of
questions, I mind, but they took care
what sort of questions they answered.
It was easy to see that one of their alms
was to make It appear that they believed
the robbers came from a distance, in or
der to put the thieves off their guard,
for their own opinion was the opposite
of this.
No event, however serious, can keep
hold of people's minds beyoud a certain
time; and these robberies were begin
ning to give place to some other subject,
when the next act In the drama began to
be played. It was on a Friday after
noon, about a month after the robberies.
The day was wet and wild; and as my
work was the outdoor carving of stones
which had been placed in position in the
rough was unable to go on with it, and
so had to return to my quarters. I had
got my dinner, and had just called for a
pint of ale, with my pipe, when an el
derly, ill-dressed man came in, and sit
ting down on a bench beside me, said in
broad Lancashire acceut : "1,11 sup we
tha lad, If tha dosen't care;" on which
he lifted my mug to his Hps and drank
freely. I had not got over my surprise
when he, wiping his mouth with his
baud, gave me a history of the past duy
or two. The account was this; he had
been a gentleman's gardener, near Lan
caster, over twenty years; had a capital
place, but had not had sense enough to
keep it, which was more than his mas
ter would put up with; bo he was dis
charged.
"This wor day afore yesterday," he
said; "au" I've drank for very vexation
ever sin', trampin" as I drank; an' so
here 1 am wi' a dry math an' wi'out a'
apenny '1 ray poket. Doesta think," lie
concluded, '"a con raise a penuy or tip
yence among th' company?"
I gave him a triile; others did the
same; so having thus "raised the wind,"
heat once called for bread, cheese and
ale, and made a good meal.
During the time the gardener had
been talking to me, the landlord had
been within hearing- Bo, accosting the
old man while he was eating his dinner,
he said, "You area gardener, I under
stand?"
"I am," was the reply.
"Well," Bald the landlord, "I've a gar
den which needs fettling. I have not
time to attend to it myself; and as it is
time the seed was in, I'll employ you if
you are willing. I'll flud you plenty to
eat and drink; you can have a bed as
well; and if you please me, I'll not see
you leave without a few shillings in your
pocket. What say you?"
"I say agreed," replied the gardener,
rising to his feet and grasping the land
lord's hand. "I'll not begin to-morn,
howl ver; but I'll look rand, an' get rlddy
fur Monday morn."
This proposal was satisfactory, where
fore tbe gaidener was made happy.
Shortly afterward we had an addition
to our company by the incoming of the
old blrd-stuffer, whom I shall henceforth
call the naturalist us this designation
was the one which pleased him his son,
the butterfly breeder, and two other men
whom I had not yet seen. These the
strangers first looked hard at the com
pany ; but tbe naturalist, giving them a
significant nod, which seemed to say
" All's right," they settled down and
called for a glass of rum apiece.
By this time the gardener had finished
his dinner, when, putting his arms on
the table and his head on his arms, he
fell or seemed to fall asleep. Thevralu,
which continued to come down, com
pelled me to still abide uuder cover ; so,
placing my chair in a corner and putting
my head against the wall, I tiled to get
a nap also. The naturalist and bis com
panions were now the only persons in
the room besides the gardener and me.
I cannot tell half nor quarter of what
was said by first one and then another
of the four persons ; nor did I understand
some of the phrases which they used.
"Bruce" and " Wonder," "flax" and
"stuffing" were words often employed
by them. I' recollected that " Bruce"
was the name of the dog, and " Wonder"
that of tbe lamb In the museum before
spoken of ; and the other terms, I judged,
referred to "the materials with which
they were stuffed; but I could not see
why they should speak In bo low a tone
as tbey did when they spoke of them.
Once or twice they referred to a bird by
some slang phrase. But after events
made this clear enough.
By-and-by the weather took up, when
the men, draining their glasses, got up
and went away. The moment they were
gone tbe gardener roused up, took a mem
orandum book out of his pocket and be
gan to write therein. He then asked me
if I knew who the men were, and what
was there occupation, and if I under
stood any of the words they had uttered
In the lower tone of voice.. I . gave him
what information I could, "But," I
said, "both they and I believed you were
asleep."
times." be eald, and then added: "Did
you say the old man kept a museum V
Have you seen It ? Do you think I oould
get a look at It?"
The questions were put one after the
other in quick succession, as though he
were eager and anxious about something,
I said "Yes" to each i but I was surpris
ed at the good English in which he now
spoke and at the refinement which mark--
ed bis manners. Still I could make noth.
lug of It.
I pass over the next few days, as they
brought forth no new Incident. The
gardener had stuck to his contract with
the landlord, and I had been enabled to
get on with my work. The four men did
not again visit us; hut as I went on with
my carving I saw first one and then
another of them pass my place. And
once I Baw them in earnest conversation
in a retired lane.
After supper, one night, I took the
gardener to the barn-llke habitation of
the old naturalist. As we went along he
asked me to take particular notice of the
dog and the lamb ; " for," Bald he, " I
was struck with the questions one of the
men put as to whether Bruce and Won
der could take in any more ' cotton' or
flax.' And it is just possible," he con
tinued, " that he has a way of taking out
the Btufllug after the skin has become
set and hard a thing worth kuowing, I
should think."
When we got to the house, the old man
came to the door, closing if after him.
Being asked if he would allow the gard
ener to see his collection of preserved
animals, he at first seemed perplexed,
and saying, " I'll ask my sou," he went
In, leaving us outside. Shortly he re
turned and said : " It is not convenient
to enter the room to-night, as it is being
cleaned and the contents rearranged ;
but If your friend will come to-morrow
night, and come alone, he shall Bee over
It."
We agreed and came away. I was at
a loss to account for the condition im
posed, but my companion was set up
with the arrangement.
Next night came, and the gardener pet
off on his errand. I was all impatience
for his return. But when he came back
he seemed unwilling to relute the result
of ills adventure, simply saying, " I'm
in no humor for talk to-night ; I'll relate
what I've seen and said, to morrow."
My frleud had got on well with bis
gardening. His potatoes and onions,
hia turnips and carrots had been got in ;
and it was clear thatif the next two days
should prove line be would finish the
job on' the Saturday night.
On Friday night he came to me in the
kitchen, lu a corner of which I was read
ing, and asked me to take a short walk
with him. I got up and went. The
night was fine, but dark. We walked In
the direction of the museum. He asked
me if I could keep a secret for a day or
two. Replying in the affirmative, he
said he had a strong suspicion that the
old naturalist or his boh was no better
than he should be ; that he wag sure he
or they knew more about the late rob
beries than other folks, and that he be
lieved if he had a few shillings which
he could call his own, he could come at
the truth, and concluded by asking me
to lend him a sovereign for a few days.
I agreed, fori begun to feel an uuae
countable curiosity growing within me.
We had not walked far before we met
tbe naturalist's son, apparently by ap
pointment ; for my companion told him
that I bad promised him a loan, and
that therefore, be would beat his father's
house next day and make a purchase.
We parted and came home.
About the middle of Saturday after
noon he set off, and in less than an hour
he came back, bearing a' tolerably sized
parcel. Giving me tbe signal as be pass
ed me, I joined him in the back yard.
He said: "I'm on the track of the
thieves, I believe. Last night, but one,
on reaching the bouse, and while look
ing over the museum, the old man said
that bis son was rather short of money ;
but having exchanged a frame of moths
and a few birds for a lot of provisions, if
I would buy some of the latter, I might
sell them at a profit ; or they would keep
me In eatables for a while, aud the sale
would relieve his Bon. I agreed to buy
If I could raise the money. Now, I am
not without cash, but it would not have
done to say bo ; hence I agreed to ask
you for a loan. Well, I've got a lof of
tbiugs to-day dirt cheap, which I really
believe belong to one of the late robber
ies. I go hence to-morrow on the sly,
but on Monday you may look for my re
turn." Giving me a playful dig in the
side he left me. Ills absence during the
night and the day after surprised the
landlord, but I said nothing.
I was all impatience until Monday
came. It came at last. I was busy at
my carving when I heard a well known
voice hail me from below. On looking
down from my stage whom should I see
in tbe road beneath, smiling all the face
over, but my old friend the gardener in
a policeman's uniform. The truth
flashed through me in a moment. I
went down. Grasping my hand he said;
" The secret's out, you see 1 Come along
I was about to wltnesa a denouement
I had not looked for. Up the road were
a couple of policemen. My old oonipan-
Ion was tbe chief, being a sergeant of
police. He led the way to the museum
and was first to enter.
"Good morning, old friend," he said
on encountering the naturalist, " I come
to take away a few more parcels of your
cheap provisions."
I saw that the old gardener was de
tected in the speaker, aud that the game
wag seen to be up. The old man's son
rushed to the door and scrambled ofT,
only however to full Into- the clutches
of one of the officers who were on the
watch. The old man was utterly help.
less and almost beside himself. Sink
ing into his chair he cried out : " I am
notthethelf; the thelves are there,"
pointing to the door, and meaning I
could see his Bon and confederates, al
though they were not present.
We went Into the museum. The first
thing tbe old gardener-as I shall Btlll
call him did was to take hold of
" Bruce," while he desired one of big
comrades to lay hold of " Wonder." On
moving them, a noise of loose metal was
heard.
A moment's examination sufficed to
reveal the secret. In the off side of each
animal, in the soft part an orifice had
been made by cutting the skig in such
a manner as would enable the operater
to replace it with a little care. A part
of the stuffings had been removed leav
ing a vacancy just like a throstle's
nest. This was filled with Jewelry
watches, guards, ear-rings and finger
rings. A further examination of the
museum revealed other aud as singular
hiding places; for exam pie, a game cock
was found put out of sight; on taking
hold of it, a noise of clinking metal was
heard. On lifting up the feathers over
the crop, a small hole was seen, out of
which rolled, when the bird was shaken,
a number of trinkets.
Nearly all the proceeds of the two rob
beries of the jeweler were recovered, one
watch and a guard only being absent.
And some of the property of the provis
ion dealer was found stowed away in
the breeding box, though most of it had
been used or sold.
I scarcely need say that the parcel sold
to " the gardner" was a part of it, and
bad to do with the detection. The ser
geant, informed me that be had been in
duced to assume the character which he
had so well enacted entirely on specula
tion. While making a survey of the
neighborhood, a few days before he be
gan to play big part, he had observed
the backward state of the lardlord's gar
den ; and believing that he would readi
ly catch at a chance of getting it finish
ed In a a cheap way, and being a good
gardener, be had hit upon the scheme
which had answered bo well. He had
believed that the robbers were not far
from the locality of the public house,
and might oome there now and again,
and so could he lodge there without be
ing known or suspected he might come
at all that be desired. And as he had
hoped so it did come to pass.
The naturalist, who it came out, had
long been a receiver of stolen property,
and his son, whose first burglaries these
were, got each five years' penal servi
tude: one of the other men who came
from a distant town and were old hands
was likewise convicted and punished;
but tbe fourth, for some forgotten reason
got off. My friend came in for tbe good
reward offered in the case ; and for the
part which I had taken in the affair,
the jeweler gave me a gold pencil-holder
which I treasure as a memento.
An Englishman's Architectural Whim.
An eccentric JDngiisnman built a
house in the Quarter Tivoli for tbe rest
dence of himself, bis wifo and eight
children, which is the talk of Paris. It
is circular, and has neither door nor
window externally. The approach to
it is from the ground floor on to the roof
by means of a ladder, which is moved
up and down by machinery similar to
that of a drawbridge. There is only
one floor, and that contains eighteen
apartments, more 6r less small dimen
sions, looking into the centre, which is
lighted from above by a glazed cupola.
One stove for all these rooms is in the
middle, aud in summer its place is to be
occupied by an exquisite parterre of
flowers. A circular balcony, opened to
all the apartments, surrounds this space,
Tbe motive of this oddity is of course,
only known to the author of it, but
everybody can see that two points are
gained by it Immunity from the taxes
on doors and windows, and a perfect-
preventive of any attempt at burglary
Answer This.
Did you ever know any person to be
ill, without inaction of jtb.e Stomach,
Liver or kidneys, or did you ever know
one who was well when either was
obstructed or inactive ; and did you ever
know or hear of any case of the kind
that Hop Bitters would not cure. Ask
your neighbor this same question. 4 2
SELLE11S
COJIGlt
SYllUJPi
50 Years Before the Public t
Pronounced bv all to be the most Pleasant
and efficacious remedy now In use, for lbs
enre or longhs, Holds, Croup, Hoarseness,
Tickling sensation of the Throat, Wbooplne
Congo, etc, Over a million bottles told
within the last few tears. It gives relief
wherever nsed. and hat the Dower to lmnart
benefit that cannot be had from tbs cough
mixtures now In nse. Sold by all Druggists at
85 cents per bottle.
SELLERS' LIVER FILLS
are also highly recommended for cnrlng liver
complaint, constipation, sick-headaches, fever
and ague, and all diseases of the stomach and
liver. Bold;by all by all Druggists at 25 cents
per box. 40 ly
R. E. 8ELLERS & CO., Pittsburg, Fa.
J. M. OiaviN.
J. II. GirviK
J. M. GIRVIN & SON.,
FLOUR, GRAIN, SEED & HROHJCE
Commission Merchants,
Mo. 04 Sonlh (.'ay, St.,
BALTIMORE, MD.
We will Dftv strict attention tn the sain nf nil
kinds of Country Produce aud remit the amounts
promptly. sr iyr.
J. M. U1KV1N S BON.
jyjUSSER & ALLEN
CENTRAL STORE
NEWPORT, PENN'A.
.Now offer the public-
A HARK AND ELEOANT ASSORTMENT OF
DRESS GOODS ;
Consisting st alt shades suitable for the season
11LA CK ALP A CCA8
AND '
Mourning Goods
A SPECIALITY.
BLEACHED AND UNBLEACHED
MUSLINS,
AT VARIOUS PRICES. t .
AN KMDLE38 SELECTION OF PRINTSI
We sell and de keep a goad quality of
SUGARS, COFFEES & SYRUPS
And everything under the head of
GROCERIES!
Maohlne needles and oil for all makes of
siaomnes.
To be convinced that our goods are
CHEAP AS TIIE.CIIEAPEST,
IS TO CALL AND EXAMINE STOCK. '
" No trouble to show goods.
Don't forget the .
CENTRAL STORE,
Newport, Perry County, Pa.
DRUGS.
DRUGS.
JACOB STRICKLER,
(Successor to Dr. M. B. Btrickler)
. PHARMACIST,
NEW BL00MFIELD, PENN'A.
HAVING succeeded the late firm of Dr. M. B.
Strickler In the Drug Business at his Store-room,
on MAIN STrtKKT. two doors East ot the Big
Bprlng, I will endeavor to make it in every way
worthy the patronage of the public.
Personal and strict attention AT ALL TIMES
given to the compounding and dispensing physi
cians' prescription, so as to insure accuracy aud
guard against accidents.
BEAR IN 5IIM
that my stock has been recently selected and ear
taken to have everything; ..(the BEST QUALI
TY. The public may rest assured that ALL med
icines tuat leave my si ore shall be as represented
PURE and UNADULTERATED.
I HATE CONSTANTLY OX HAND
HAIR OIL and POMADES
HAIR, TOOTH and NAIL-BRUSHES.
bUKGEONS. TOILET. and
CAKKIAGB 8PONGKH,
PUFF BOXES, TOILET POWDERS,
CASTILB aud FANCY SOAPS.
PERFUMERY OF ALL KINDS,
Together with Fresh and Genuine Patent Kedi
dues of every description.
ALSO,
Segars, Tobacco, School Books, &c.
ORANGES, LEM0N3 A BANANAS,
y la season.
Pure Wlnct and Liquorg for Medicinal
Purposes. ,
Term, Strletly Cnali
By strict attention to business. I hope to merit
the couudence aud favor of the public.
JACOB STRICKLER, Po.lG.
what he dealt in. The excitment and
"It is well to go into dreamland at
I with me and see the upshot."
April 29,1579.