The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-06-22


The two had paused at. thefoot Of q
great rock that rose in an irregular
ledge OF about five feet in height. 1t
formed at this place o retreating angle
OF perhaps four feet In width. One OF
the men held dark lantern, and by Its
aid they were thoroughly examining
the place. Their talk wRs very low, al.
most in whispers; but q word now and
then reached the wide open ears Of the
spy. The following is the substance Of
what he heard: 4H7 l717c 'ti
"-here--n X ,ia7il1
g should think -"
eyes - angle Of rock 1a i.
you.see. Due north from
COZ course, - always find it, d.
The spade was now put in requisi.
tion; and for the next hour the two
took turns, ono Watching against sur.
prise, and often standing 30 near to
Mower that the latter drew his breath
slowly and painfully, for fear Of detec.
tion, (which he expected would certain.
ly result in his instant death), while the
other dug and delyed at the outer part
OF the angle, the lantern being placed
within ii 80 that It's light was we'll hid
den. The greund was hard and stony,
and the occasional striking OF the spade
on the rock was followed BY muttered
curse on the noise. at length after
both had labored steadily for at least
an hour, the labor was suspended, and
both men knelt over the hole they had
made. Their backs were toward Now.
er, and he could not see what they were
doing, though he would have given a
leg 10 have been lying on the ledge over
their heads, that he might look straight
down upon their operations. As it was,
he could only lie perfectly still, and
await their movements.
They remained crouched over the
hole some time, when they rose and
carefully filled itup, smoothed II over,
and then scattered leaves on the earth
to hide the traces Of their work. One
OF them took the spade and pushed il
out of'sight into the angle, where there
was certainly no fear Of any person
looking for hidden articles; and then
both OF them turned and walked swift.
ily away. They did not return 10 the
tavern had they done 30, the absence
of johnson must have excited their sus-
picions, and this short history would
nrobably have had q more tragical ter.
mination. Their course was toward the
nearest railroad station, nd;beiore day.
light they were two hundred miles
away. NS IN 4 ~ n ~ ~ ~
The heart OF johnson Mower gave o
great bound rs the strangers turned
away, aud he saw that neither OF them
carried anything in their hands except
the dark lantern. stint-G' i----..7.l
MThey haven't taken IL away" was
his thought, "except perhaps some In
tlieir pockets. They only came TO see
if'twas safe, and get little oft" Z
He lay there for two hours, afraid 10
stir for the thought that the men might
be watching close by 10 assure them.
selves that no one had witnessed their
noctural yisit-lay there, gloating in
the prospect Of the wealth that he was
about to unearth, and never troubled
by any question Of title. y
cts no more theirs than mine, II
they don't appropriate it,"was hisre.
Election. "Kidd buried IL there for the
man that could first get IL and take II
away, and II they're fools enough not TO
keep it when they once get II, that's
their own look out" 4lS tiS.
l The night passed on; nothing was
astir, and nothing was heard save the
insect noises OF the wood. It must have
been near midnight when the old man
stole from his concealment, and, draw
ing forth the spade, scraped away the
leaves, and began to remove the earth.
He labored at great disadvantage,
for he could not see what progress he
made, or II he dug directly in the spot
which had just been excRyated. But he
persevered, and in time he heard the
spade strike q metallic substance. He
freed it from dirt, and removing IL from
the hole, found IL to be q ANAL tin box,
covered with canvas. 9iiaiHa limlifs vi.
His excitement was now so great that
heresolved not TO investigate further
that night, but TO return home, examine
his prize, and, returning before day.
light, 10 finish the examination and re-
move al. traces oft.
He hurried back TO the old house,
locked himself in the room where he
had held his interview with the mon,
and tearing of the canvas, he found the
lid Of the box confined by paddock.
He procured o hammer and broke the
lock, SO that thelid could be lifted; and
within 10 his eager eyes saw package
wrapped In oilcloth. His trembling
fingers tore off this Wrapping, and others
that were underneath, when velvet
case was disposed, he opened it-and
there was the treasure | ~ "
Ayoi there IL wasi Gold crosses,
gold chains, gold rings, gold orna-I
ments, heavy and solid, Of rare and
beautiful workmanship, and Of q value
that he could easily estimate at thou
sands. NJ .ii o,i
But on the other side Of tho case .
ahl there was the real prize l. Pearl
necklaces, heavy seal rings, set with
precious stones, whose names he did
not know, and slender rings blazing
with diamonds !, breastpins, charms,
lockets, buttons, ali flashing with ru.
bies and amethysts, and garnets, and
what else he knew not - --
Here, indeed, we're Thousands Of doll
lars in value He ole sed the great case,
and clasping IL to his heart, danced
about the room, chuckling to himseltini
the overflow Of his Joy. ll,s seg
q Captain Kidd's treasure Captain
Kidd's treasured No, no johnson
Mowers treasured johnson Mowers
treasured" ''s.' y
He could not sleep a wink that night.
He did not attempt 10 sleep. He walked
abOgs the room, q SGT % rsstlsssly less = on S,a