Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-06-12
down their arms and sought their long

| f$t" eaS 'SotOe VI bIUhouEt, utu
den in the Georgia woods, weighe
heavily upon the soldiers mind. Near
ly two years had passed since he ha
seen that thunder blasted tree where h
had left fortune. Had any one dis
covered it !? It was possible. But per
haps they had not. The oak might still
be guarding its secret faithfully.
He resolved to return to Georgia. i
the gold was there, and the rightfu
owner could be found, ho would return
it to him. IF no one could prove clear
title to 10. why---it would be his.
So. with these thoughts he returned
to the scenes he remembered so we'll
returned to find the old house standing
as on the day when his reckless com.
panions forced an entrance aud caroused
within its walls. In the ncighborhood
he obtained tho information that tho
house was owned by Col. Broadwell, a
veteran of the Mexican war, o widower,
who lived there with his only daug Inter |;
that ho had also lived there during tho
war, and was now greatly reduced in
circumstances.
H. formed the colonel's acquaintance
and tina, Of his lovely daughter. More
than this--iie made his abode at the
house, for the old colonel took fancy
for him.
He saw that the little family was in
Strengthened circumstances, aud believ-
ing that he had contributed to their pow
erty, tho thought cut him to tho heart.
An old man who had, perhaps, known
want; young and lovely girl who had
suffered, and through him
Colonel" ho said, ono afternoon, as
they sat together in tho hill, did you
lose much by the war"
"Evcrything, sir p said the colonel.
Except this house, which they inad-
vertently overlooked. Ny greatest loss
was in money. | had an iron box full
of gold aud silver buried 10 my cellar,
but they found it y
"Thiof |"
The echoes came back to him from
tho past. But he resolved that il that
box could be found, the wronged and
rightful owner should have II.
The next day he set out alone to that
we'll ll-remsmbered wood. The Scared
oak was still standing. Ho knew the
very spot whcro he had buried tho gold.
though il was nov greatly oyorgFown
with foliage.
He returned 10 the house, The colo
mel was walking in the garden with his
daughter.
Colonel" he said, IL want you and
Miss Hattie TO come with mo aud ask no
questions. | had a strange dream last
night, and want you to humor mo in
it. Here's spade. Now, where will
we find an axeY'
The colonel laughed and his daugh-
tor looked amused.
I've were going for awalk anyhow"
he said, $50 we'll humor you, and ask
no questions, unless Hattie there"
"Oh, l have all woman's curiosity"
said that young lady, laughing. "but
I'll obey orders for once, and keep
silent"
With an axe and spade upon his
Brashwell-for such was his
the way into the wood, the
colonel and his daughter following in
amused silence.
Arrived at tho oak, Brashwell said,
throwing off his coat: "Now, not u
word while | work !"
They stood by in silence, the daugh-
ter leaning on her fathers arm.
Brashwell cleared away the UNDER
brush and then he began to dig.
He was greatly excited. His whole
frame trombled as he worked
Presently the spade struck hard.
lnyielding substance, and tho next mo
nent tho iron box was revealed
"Look |" cried the excited man, "your
gold your gold The iron box, with
III its glittering wealth =
The colonel and his daughter drew
near. They were excited now.
Surely" cried tho old man. "surely.
i is the very same ! And yet-wc must
DO dreaming. Can you lift it to the
ight2"
AYE, that l can !" cried Brashwell.
Is with q great effort he raised the
heavy box.
Then he lifted the lid.
"See |" he shouted, rapturously,
your gold |" Safe as on tho day when
you buried it in your cellar Safe and
,ot farthing gone p
Tho girl uttered a glad cry Of delight.
But her father was affected differently.
His hand trembled. his face assumed a
lcathly pallor, he reeled and would have
allen, had not his daughter thrown her
lrms around him and Brashwell hasten
ID to his side. "God bless you !" was
III he could say.
"God bless you !" echoed the girl.
,lasping and kissing BrashwelPs hand
IN the fervor Of her gratitude.
"God grant that it may be SO p cried
Brashwell, as the colonel became more
"and that He may forgive
ne, too J!
"Col Broadwell," he continued, his
,oice trembling with emotion, cit was
who took your gold from the house
ip yonder and buried it here. I did not
rave the heart to touch tiny honor
'orbade it returned to Georgia with
,ut one purpose--to make restoration.
did not know you in those days of
var and desolation | did not know you
,r-or your daughter"
He came near breaking down, but
-allied and went on:
"But know you know, and know
,er-thank God Il was I who saved
your dwelling from the flames, and now
give you back your gold"
"God bless you! God bless you p
,ried the colonel, shaking his hand
"And let me say the same,' cried
Hattie, laying her hand upon his arm.
''And thank you from my heart p
'That is more than all to me-" said
Brashwell. and he felt his eyes grow
moist. II am happier man to-day