The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-05-27
THE CONCEALED TREASURE,
OR,
A Valuable Hat.


route from Santa Fe, we met fellow
traveller in whom we became greatly In
terested.
Among others, my companion, fine
ly-built, athletic fellow, narrated an ex-
perience OF the previous season, which
he said, made every hair stand on tip
toe"
"How =" we asked. You were in
great peril 7"
"One of those imminent risks that
you meet at every turn. Four of us
came in the stage from Santa Fe, the
last of June, L think. A young lady,
governess in an officers family, her es-
co rt, wealthy merchant, reputable,
with guarantee of honor inscribed on
every line of his earnest face, and my
SELF were acquaintance the other was
the horse-shoer of the company, bound
for the stables at Denver.
The lady-among the twenties :
was so happy in the thought of going
East and seeing her widowed mother -
was so interested and full of life, that
her joy rippled through our converse
ton like merry warble.
"You would like personal descrip-
ton
"Well, rather tall and willowy, eyes
as black and full of sparkle as frosty
night, and hair commonly called red,
but with CLINT of gold in lines and
Itch rrIo
across it. L saw it fully when she
dropped her hat, and stylish, neat
affair that was, too-but 1 have not
come to that yet.
CT am sure you are aware of the
brigandage for which that route is noted.
Marvellous tales are told of the robbers.
L suspect the mountain-passes of the
Apennines hold no more mystery of
crimes than do the rocky passes of the
new continent. Constantly facing dan
ger, the pioneer acquires q hardihood
that fits him for every fresh encounter
of peril, however unusual. The periodic
robbing OF stages has become so much
of fact that the express company will
buhC uO lhOlC ti6hb, anu bDCCiC anu blCe,S-
ure have to be taken East by private
parties.
AS a government expert, was well
known to the bankers of Santa Fe.-
They never hesitated to intrust me with
large amounts of gold, and this time
there was no exception. So was load
ed, partly by means of an inner belt
around my waist, partly by false bot
tom, improvised in my valise of gum
ming strong wrapping paper over the
bag.
The day would have been intolera-
BILE but for the cool currents that swept
down the declivities and through the
mountain ravines.
Frequently during the day, up the
steep ascents, we would get up and walk
1t rested us and relieved the tedium of
the drive. The lady was most charm
ing, rattling her words like fine shot
against our sallies of wit and wisdom,
and turning into sport and jest our Sc
mous fears. She became confidential,
and told us she expected to return a
madame, with military escort-if she
returned at all. Her fiance was lieu
tenant stationed now in the Indian Ter
ritory but when he received his fur
lough-well, very soon, perhaps = then
we might expect to hear of wedding
BELLS
"' would like to be little richer,
she added, with sigh but we must
take what the good God gives us, and
my treasure happens to be not in
gold !"
"' How much of dot have you p
said the practical merchant.
"She laughed merrily.
"' Are you bandit in disguise ?" she
then added, {" the fruits of my industry
amount to the heavy weight of one
thousand in gold =
GO You haven't it with you p'' he in
quired, SO quickly and earnestly that /
was surprised.
"' Come, you are accounted shrewd,
| just try and find out / will answer all
relevant questioning
g He blushed and stammered an apol.
ogy, and she sat for moment on rock
that projected from the side of the
road over the mountain edge. She had
gathered stray flowers on her walk, div
ing under bushes and behind rocks and
was fastening them on her hat and man
| tie A ecarlet creeper ran around the