The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-06-28

| During the next six years we heard of VIII
! from time TO time. He reached Philadelphia
! in rags, and begged his way out TO Delaware
county, there to begin the search for the
| hidden treasure He kept himself from starv
ing by working as farm hand, the driver o.
a street car, or by pedding pins and laCes
/ through the towns. AS year after year passed
and his search became more hopeless, he
rushed from one employment to another
! desperately trying to keep the wolf from the
/ door.
- The employments grew less honest as: he
became more reckless. One of our neighbors
saw him at county fair operating as
thmb!e rigger. The great bewidering chance
before him drove him to trust in
chance. Every penny he gained went
into lotteries or cheap gambling dens
| The years in which mans steady
steady habits are formed for life passed in q
teverish dream, and in trying countless oc'
equations, none of which he mastered.
AT the end of six years my brother Joe
took me across the mountains to visit Phila-
dephia and New York. The farmers
daughters in the West look forward TO this
journey as their Eastern sisters do to visit
to Europe.
Joe had plodded his way up in the mill
suggesting and trying little changes in the
methods, until be invented and patented bis
new boiler attachment. Its value was re.
cognized at once. The firm made Joe fore.
man of one of the mills. That was the first
of the successes which afterwards made him
one of the "iron princes" Of Pennsylvania.
But with the first money he saved he took
Little Sis to Philadelphia, and was proud
and happy to 60.
The day after we arrived, Will came to the
hotel. He was thin and looked worn; his
clothes were miserably cheap, yet tlasby,
81 saw your names among the arrivals to-
day he said, land came to tell you that
have succeeded. AT last ~
You have found the money!" said Joe
inCredulously
mo, not yet; but at last have found the
hnuse-aiter six years six years !" His eyes
glittered feverishly, he drew long breath
| read On his face how hard those years had
been.
You remember there was said to be a
plough carved on the side wall of the old
stone house? That was my clue. There is
not house in Delaware county which have
not examined; but no plough have l been
able to find Yesterday a man accidentally
described the very house and the spot where
it Stood for it was pulled down years ago. l
went there and found the remains of the
smoke-house! In the cellar expect TO find
the money !"
why did you not dig for it at once ?"
asked.
There were some workmen employed on
the grounds. The tenants of the new house
are in Europe. But to-day the men will be
gone, and my opportunity has come"
Let me 90 with YOU said Joe. l saw
that he thought the poor wretch was mad,
and wished to watch over him.
ITO claim your share? Oh no, Joe Payn
| have not worked for six years for this thing
that you should profit by it y
81 will give you a surrender of my claim
on all you find" said Joe, writing rapidly
at the table "There it is. Now let me go
with you.
He consented reluctantly.
An hour later we went out on the Media
railway to quiet station among low hills.
Will led the way for couple of miles
through the valley. At last he came to a
thick wood, beyond which we saw large
conntry-seat which was closed. He stopped.
There at the edge of that field is the celer
of the old smoke-house You must stay
here; will go alone. At last ! at last ~
He was pale and trembed with excitement.
From thcket he took a spade which he
had hidden there, and hurrying across the
field, began to dig.
Nearly an hour passed. The sun was low
behind the hills. Suddenly we saw him start
forward and dig with fury Of energy, and
then, throwing himself upon his knees, he
tore up the ground with his fingers.
AT last he he rose and came toward us,
staggering, carrying box green with mould
He laid il down and kneeed beside it.
ats mine, all mine = he muttered, as he
pricd off the lid. Joe helped him, scarcely
less excited.
The lid came off at last, AMI inside lay
not gold or silver coins, but a heap of Cont
mental notes
Will stared at them. "They are worth
nothing !" he said, quietly.
Joe took the poor fellow home with u.s.
All that care and affection could do to restore
him to health OF body and mind was done
but in vain. He remained with us for few
weeks and then wandered away to the far
West to dig tor gold, a hopeless victim to the
worship of chance.