that Polly laughed.

"The result of digging!" said she, managing to separate one smaller frame
from the others.

As she turned it over to study the picture, she was greatly disappointed
to find it had an old, cheap, stained frame. The picture seemed
nondescript to her. It was a scene of an old bridge with fine old trees
on both banks of the river. Quaintly costumed people strolled along both
sides of the stream, and a funny tower rose at the further end of the
bridge. The colors were crude and primary--no fine shading or artistic
handling to be seen. A title under the picture, and several inscriptions
in French at the left side of the bottom, were so stained and blurred as
to be totally unreadable with the naked eye.

Meantime, Eleanor had managed to free the next frame, which was a huge
affair of old mahogany. The glass was so dreadfully dusty that not a bit
of the picture underneath could be seen. She looked about for something
to use as a duster, and saw an old end of chenille curtain on the walnut
dresser. This she used and wiped away as much of the dirt as would come
off with hard work--the rest must have hot water and soap.

"Well, I declare! Look at this old engraving!" called she to the others.
Polly was at hand, and saw that Eleanor had actually found a treasure.

Mrs. Fabian hurried across the room and took her magnifying glass from
her handbag being always prepared with it in case of need to study
signatures and other nearly effaced trade-marks.

The large engraving represented the Independence Hall at Philadelphia,
and under that was the famous Declaration of Independence, with all the
original signatures following. The picture of the Hall was engraved on a
smaller bit of paper and had been mounted at the top of the printed
matter. The engraving was signed by the engraver, and dated. Affidavits
at the bottom of the parchment paper stated that this was one of the
original documents made by Order of Congress for use in the Government
Buildings so that the first original paper and signatures could be
preserved as a relic, by the United States.

"Why, this wonderful old paper is more than a hundred and thirty years
old!" exclaimed Mrs. Fabian amazed.

"My goodness me! How much do you suppose I shall have to pay to get it?"
gasped Eleanor.

"I don't know, but you really ought to shake that dirty rag thoroughly
over the glass again, to hide what is under it," advised Dodo, with
astuteness.

The others