Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-12-04
4 Pot of Gold.

Lieutenant CalierwOOd was at his sister
house on a visit, during his two weeks fur
loueh He was sitting with her one evening
in the paror, while her two children were
studying their lessons at the table in the back
room
So Paul is a lazy scholar, ch p said the
Lieutenant, lowering his voice
No, not at all. He Is diligeut enough,
provided his studies suit his fancy But what
are they If you look over his shoulder
now you'll find him poriug over some " Book
of Dreams," or the " History Of Capt. Kidd
and his Treasures" instead of his school
books. The boy is deranged on the subject
Of growing rich suddenly at some bold master
stroke 1 wish you would talk to him. You
are supreme with him Just now 1t may be
you could ridiculc him out Of his absurdity,
Icaunot.n
" But ought he to be ridiculed ?"
James ?"
Well, call Clara in, AMI I'll 60 talk to
him awhile"
Mrs Forbes bcckonel her little girl to her,
and the Lieutenant sauntcrcd into the back
room and, am sorry TO say, lighted a cigar.
Well, Paul, my boy, hard at it What's
the book--Latn or algebra2"
Paul colored a little " Oh, can run
over my lessons in the morning. They're so
horribly dull I'm reading now"
Head Of your classes, hope, aren't you ?"
Paul laughed No, indeed, nearer the
other end. Well, the truth is" throwing
down his book and leaning over conflentialy,
" I've got it into my head to make money.
Mother has hard work to get along with Clara
and me"
81 know, Paul" said the Lieutenant,
gravely.
Now what good does this scanning Of
dead languages aud pouring over cube roots
do2 How much meat will that put in the
pot77
How do you intend to aid your mo-
ther ?'
"Well. sir" whispered Paul, eagerly, for
this was his first patient listener, ''lf had a
large sum of money that could get all at
once without any delay large sum-then,
afterwasd | could make scholar or what
pleased Of myself"
The lieutenant drew the book Paul had
been,reading toward him. Revelations by
Clairvoyance aud Spirituaism regarding Hid.
den Treasures" Paul watched him keenly
as he read the title over but not the vestige
Of smile fitted over the Lieutenant's face.
"rll tell you caudidly, uncle, about it,"
hitching his chair nearer. Fred Parker
came from Jersey, near where Kidd buried
his treasure You know the place ?"
Not precisely do you ~
Not the exact spot, but it is near Bur
liugton Kidd buried the chest and then called
on bis men to know who would stand guard
over it for hundred years. So one fellow
stepped out aud stood firm while Kidd shot
him through the heart So they buried him
standing over the chest, with his drawn sword
in his hand You've heard the ncident2'
"Yes; but
How will fad the place? Well"-
Pau began to fdget little turning over the
leaves Of the book.
Perhaps you will laugh at me, uncle, but
don't sec why you should. The ancients
called in the aid Of oraces and dreams.
They knew how to read coming events in the
flight Of birds or by the entrais oil beasts.
If we cannot do so too it seems TO me it is
because we have lost the power, not because
the signs are not there TO read. Tho wisesi
men have not been ashamed to be supersti-
tious. 1t Is only fools who think that there
Is nothing IN the world but what they can sec
and handle"
81 quite agree with you with regard to the
fools, Paul
Paul who had been defiant Hitherto, blush
ed with pleasure. don't know" he con
tinued, what credit to give to spiritual medl
ums. Fact is, I've run after them TIL I'm
about tired. They've got all my last tive
quarters allowance, and so We had to 60
without new clothes this winter. But II
could succeed II could only find the poi
or chest Just think 1t would make mother
easy for life "
Very true said bis uncle.
They were both silent Tor awhile, the Lieu
tenant smoking ana faul turning over th'
leaves oil his book with ieverlsh haste glanc
ing up now and then, fdrtively' at his uncle.
What hrstput this matter into your head
fadl y
! don't know. We really need money 81
often. Aud then Fred Parker told his storle
OF kidd's treasures, and | see these clairvoy
ant advertisements IN the paper every day
f" AS to those mediums said Lieutenan
Caidorwood, thoughtfully' "my opinion !
that they will take your money and you vii
get no Information IN return never ha'
any intercourse with them, fof have no be
lief in their ability to toll you anything yor