The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-02-03

on the shore, short distance from where
he was, he started for it As he Jumped
from the rock he saw an iron bar living
on the ground, partly covered by the
bushes that grew in such profusion
about there. II guess I'm on the right
track now," thought Charles, as he
picked up the bar.
As he expected, the stone moved very
easily, and with little effort he sent it
down from its position into the water, a
few feet below, leaving an opening of
about three feet by two. This was the
cave, sure enough, and into the opening
went Charles. 1t was large room, par
tally natural and partially cut by man
The foul air warned Charles not to go in
further, and he at once sought the open
air and returned to the house to tell
Nellie what he had found
Both were very much excited over the
matter, and it was as much as Charles
could do to dissuade Nellie from going
back with him to explore the cave-a
thing he proposed to do before he slept.
Taking a couple of lanterns and as
much dry wood as he could car
ry, he returned to the cave and
went in. He found the air much
improved, and so did not build his fire.
After careful search he discovered a
place in the side of the cave which
looked as if it might be door. Getting
his bar, he soon had large stone re-
moved from the wall, and this disclosed
another large ROOM A pair of steps led
down somewhere, but Charles could not
see the bottom. The place was damp
and the steps badly rotted, so he did not
attempt the descent. Tying line to
one of his lanterns, he proceeded to
lower it down into the darkness. About
two yards down it suddenly went ont He
drew it up, relighted it, and tried it
again, with the same result.
"Well, there's bad air enough there"
again. He then proceeded to make a
large fire in the cave, and when we'll
agoing, he took large burning log and
threw it into the inner cave. 1t burned
a moment and then went out, but long
enough for him to see the size and depth
of the room. It seemed about twenty
feet long by fifteen wide, and about
eight feet deep from the door. Another
log was thrown in which burned little
longer, but it was full hour before he
got good fire and the air of the cave
purified.
He then went back to the house and
got ladder, and with this decended into
the bottom of the cave. Here he found
three large iron boxes. They were not
locked, and opening the boxes he found
what the letter said, the money. Closing
the boxes he went back to the house and
told Nellie what he bad found. Nothing
more was done that night, but the next
morning both Charles and Nellie went
to the cave and examined their treasures.
Besides the money there were lots of
papers, yellow with age, but still in a
very fair state of preservation. Among
other things was large book tightly
sealed, and letter tied to it directed to
''The discovery of these boxes" Open
ing the letter Charles read as follows:
''These boxes were placed in this cave in the
year 1921, by me, and for this reason l mar
ried my wife in January, 1921, and supposed
she loved me, but soon found out my mistake.
1t was my money she was after, and when
found she did not care for me I left her and
came over to this island, where l found this
cave. remained here week. thinking hard
thoughts all the time. l went back home and
tried to live with her. As long as 1 furnished
her plenty of money we got along nicely, but if
the same year came to this island and went to
work upon this cave. did all the work with
my own hands, and when completed 1 moved
most of my money here and leftit. did not en-
ter the cave again till the year my sisters child
was born, whom named Nellie. 1t was at
this time that this letter was written. The
sealed book must go to my neice if she can be
found. In it she will find daily record of my
life, and take warning from it if she will, and
not make earth a perfect hell for her husband.
gha % lls 70 all mo- 90
with it, but this book is for her and her only.
have hoped that the letter left with the deed
of the island might prove true, and that the
money may all go to her and her family. Time
will tell. Hoping whoever finds this may en-
| joy life much better than have done, wish
them much joy. EBENEZER BUDGET"
The boxes contained nearly $500, 600
in gold and silver, which Mr.. Wilson car
ried to the house.
| The book was, as the letter stated, a
complete history of the life of the old
miser, as he was called, though the many
| references to the sums given away for
charitable purposes proved him anything
but miser. Between every two leaves
of the book was placed e., 900 note on
the Bank of England. These Nellie took
out as she came to them, and found there
was eighty of them.
come on and visit them, as he had bust
ness of much importance to communicate
to him. The next day brought him, and
Charles told him of the treasure he had
found. Mr.. Budget refused to touch &
penny of the money, saying he had al
that his father wished him to have, anG
that was enough for him, but he would
like many of the papers found in the
boxes, which Charles gave him.
The matter was not noised about at all
and to this day the people of Cantonvillt
do not know of the discovery of the
money on the island.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson still spend thei
summers on the island, and it is still
great place for summer visitors. Wher
you go there next summer, for of cours,
you will recognize the place although til,
names are not correct, see if you can fint
the caves.-Sprinatfeld Mirror.