The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1891-05-28

"a curse upon itI' he cried, throwing
back the coin and spurning the box
with his foot. "I'll bury it here"
In the gloom, which was fast deepen
ing into darkest night, he dug grave
for the il-gotten gold and buried it
deep. He dared not touch it then-his
conscience, his honor, his honesty
gained the mastery for the time.
He turned to go, but he had not re-
treated twenty yards when his eyes
were blinded by keen fash of light,
followed by deafening peal of thun-
der. A limb from the oak, where he
had hid the treasure, came crashing
down. He turned and saw that light
ming had struck the tree and ringed
track around it.
81 shall know that tree again." he
said, ''and remember this scene-this
incident, foreverl''
And then he passed out of the wood. |
Out of the wood and out of Georgia
passed on with the victorious army, |
peace was declared and victors ard |
vanquished laid down their arms and |
sought their longforsaken homes.
| But the secret of that treasure, hid |
den in the Georgia woods, weighed
heavily upon the soldiers mind. Near
| ly two years had passed since he had
seen that thunder blasted tree where he
had left a fortune. Had anyone dis
covered it? Il was possible. But per-
haps they had not. The oak might
| still be guarding its secret faithfully.
He resolved to return to Georgia. If
the gold was there, and the rightful
owner could be found, he would return
it to him. If no one could prove clear
title to it, 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 and
caroused within its walls. In the
neighborhood he obtained the informa-
ton that the house was owned by Col.
Broadwell. a veteran of the Mexican
was, widower, who lived there with
his only daughter; that he had also
lived there during the war, and was
now great reduced in circumstances
He formed the coloners acquaintance
and that of his lovely daughter. More
than this-he made his abode at the
house, for the old colonel took a fancy
for him.
He saw that the little family was in
straitened circumstances, and believ-
ing that he had contributed to their
poverty, the thought cut him to the
heart. An old man who had, perhaps
known want; young and lovely girl
t who had suffered, and through himI
? Colonel he said. one afternoon, as
t they sat together in the hall, Ibid you
lose much by the WARP"
e Everything, sir!" said the colonel
e "except this house, which they mad
e vertently overlooked. My greatest loss
was in money. / had an iron box ful
n of gold and silver buried in my cellar
: but they found itF'
e ssThief!''
= The echoes came back to him from
the past. But he resolved that if tina
g box could be found, the wronged ant
l. rightful owner should have it,
= The next day he set out alone to tina
l.. well-remembered wood. The scarre'
1t oak was still standing. He knew tn
B. very spot where he had buried tn
gold, though it was now greatly over
h grown with foliage.
E. He returned to the house. TIL
s. colonel was walking in the garden wit
a his daughter
E. Colonel" he said, 81 want you an
in Miss Hattie to come with me and as
ID no questions. / had strange drear
N last night, and 1 want you to hume
u me in it. Here's spade. Now, wher
ne will we find an ax?"
ty The colonel laughed and his daughte
looked amused.
c. 1--WE were going for walk any
he how" he said, $50 we'll humor yol
" and ask no questions, unless Haiti
as there"
in ''Oh, have all woman's curiosity,
to said that young lady, laughing, ''b1
I'm obey orders for once, and kee
is SILENT
ut With an ak and spade upon h
To shoulder, Brashwell-for such was b
II name-led the way into the wood, tt
IS colonel and his daughter following
ss- amused silence.
he Arrived at the oak, Brashwel sal
throwing off his coat: Nov, not
lis work while / workr'
n. They stood by in silence, the daught'
ct. leaning on her fathers arm.
OK Brashwell cleared away the unde
N, brush and then he began to dig.
he He was greatly excited. His who
frame trembled as he worked.
it Presently the spade struck hard, u
NO Welding substance. and the next m
in meat the iron box was revealed!
ief ''Loolxl'' cried the excited man, 'yo
ito gold! your gold! The iron box, with
he its glittering wealth.
The colonel and his daughter dire
rd. near. They were excited now.
he Surely" cried the old man, ''surel
the it is the very same! And yet-we mt
ky be dreaming. Can you lift it to t
md light?"
his "Aye, that 1 camp cried Brashwen,
with a great effort he raised the hea
box.