The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-04-26
Misffllaneuus.
THE GOLD-B U G..
CONTINUED


At sight of these the joy of Jupiter
could scarcely be restrained, but the
countenance of his master wore an air
of extreme disappointment. He urged
us, however, to continue our eXertions,
and the words were hardly uttered when
l stumbled and fell forward, having
caught the toe of my boot in large
ring of iron which lay half buried in
the loose earth.
We now worked in earnest, and new
er did l pass ten minutes of more in
tense excitement. During this inter-
val we had fairly unearthed an oblong
chest of wood, which, from its perfect
preservation and wonderful hardness,
had plainly been subject to some min
eralizing process-perhaps that of the
Bi-cholride of Mercury. This box was
three feet and half long, three feet
broad, and two and half feet deep. 1t
was firmly secured by bands of wrought
iron, riveted, and forming kind of
open trelliswork over the whole. On
each side of the chest, near the top,
were three rings of iron-siX in abby
means of which firm hold could be
obtained by six persons. Our utmost
united endeavors served only to dis
turb the Golfer very slightly in its bed.
" e at once saw the impossibility of re-
moving so great weight. Luckily,
the sole fastenings of the lid consisted
of two sliding bolts. These we drew
back trembling and painting with anx-
icty. In an instant, Il treasure of in
calculable value lay cleaning before us.
As the rays of the lanterns fell within
the pit, there flashed upwards a glow
and glare, from a confused heap of
gold and of jewels, that absolutely daz-
zled our eyes.
/ shall not pretend to describe the
feelings with which | gazed. Amaze
ment was, of course, predominant. Le'
grand appeared exhausted with excite
ment, and spoke very few words. Ju-
piter's countenance wore, for some min
ntes, as deadly pallor as it is possible
in the nature of things, for any negro
visage to assume. He seemed stupifiet
-thunderstricken. Presently he fell
upon his knees in the pit, and, buryine
his naked arms up to the elbows in golC
let them there remain, as if enjoying
the luxury of Il bath. At length, will
"A deep sigh, he exclaimed, as if in {
soliloquy.
"And dis all cum OBJ de goole-bug d,
putty gOole-bug! de poor little goole
bug, what boosed in dat sabbage kint
OBJ style? Aint you shamed OBJ your
self, nigger?- me dat"
1t became necessary, at last, that
should arouse both master and valet Il
the expediency of removing the treas
ure. 1t was growing late, and it be
hooved us to make eXertion, that w
might get everything housed beior
daylight. 1t was difficult to say wha
should be done, and much time wa
spent in deliberation-so confused wer
the ideas of all. We, finally, lightene'
the box by removing two-thrds of it
contents, when we were enabled, wit
some trouble, to raise it from the hole
The articles taken out were deposite
, among the brambles, and the dog lei
to guard them, with strict orders fror
} Jupiter neither, upon any pretence, I
stir from the spot, nor to open HI
mouth until our return. We then hui
= riedly made for home with the chest
reaching the hut in safety, but after eH
; cessive toll, at one O'Clock in the morl
ing. Worn out as we were, it was M
in human nature to do more immed
. ately. We rested until two, and ha