The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-03-25

u the front fOH ~ bcheiiN9
seat. His heavy, powerful form ana his
strange face attracted general attention.
but stirred up in the minister who was
conducting the meeting an especial IN
terest.
VISIT THE PARsON.
BEFORE the close of the exercises the !
clergyman walked up TO Wood and ask
ed ii ne we're a believer. Tne detective
in a spirit Of fan, said that he was be-
lever. and furthermore was a deacon IN
the church in his native town IN New
York state. The minister asked him 10
address the meeting. and Arthur much
embarrassed, made short talk and ied
the meeting IN prayer.
Atthe close oi the meeting the minis
Ter engaged Wood Ia conversation, and
asked min to retire 10 his house. On the
WAY Wood said that his business Was
that Of tree planter, and tnat ne had
come 10 I snnessee with view to estab-
fishing a large nursery. The minister
proved TO be the pastor of mission
church which the wealthy widow had
established. and lived but a short dis
tance from ner house. GA learning tins
the detective resolved TO remain with the
clergyman as long as he could, and not
make himself known TO the woman
whose treasure he was hunting.
tie protracted his stay at the minis
ter's house on various pretexts, and Was
assured he wAs welcome. Il did not take
him long 10 notice that the preachers
table Was supplied with more luXuries
than seemed warranted by the salary OF
80 humble position. There was no
outside display, but whenever the preach
er went 10 town he always brought back
with him some dainty bit for the table
or some neat piece of bric-a-brac for the
house. Under the circumstances the de-
tectives suspicious we're naturally arous
ed. and they were afterward clinched in
peculiar way.
One day Wood accompanied the par
son TO town, and before returning pur
chased 4 large flask OF whisky and som'
cigars. While they were riding home h'
complained of severe stomach pain, anC
SAID me hoped ne would not shock hi
companions principle if he drank som'
whisky. The minister said it was al
right, and that he himself had beel
troubled by a pain in his stomach HI
took one sip and then another, saying, a.
he returned the bottle, That's pretty
good stuff" lie drew repeatedly on th,
contents Of the bottle, and when the,
reached home he was quite hilarious.
GOLD LINED evERALls.
After this occurrence the detective'
suspicious were 50 thoroughly arouse,
that he inquired about the neighborhoo,
concerning the minister. He receive,
everywhere the same answer-that tn
parsOn had been born and brought up in
the district, and was thoroughly homes
and devout man. The rich living, how
ever, Wood could not explain, and final
ly he resolved on a search Of the preach
er's house. His opportunity came on,
day when the children of the Sunda,
school were to have picnic.
lie helped to arrange the sport, bu
just before the party WAS TO start he feign
ed illness and remained at home. Tn,
preacher was nervous and seemed loatl
TO leave him in the house alone, and in
sisted that he should go. But Wood wa
too i'll, be said, and finally started to be,
as the party left the mouse. They wen
no more than out Of sight when he be
gan the search through bsiticks. chain
un Ter the carpets and everywhere.
Finally he turned up rug and unde
it found a trap door. He raised il an,
descended into the hole He found
place where the earth had been freshl,
turned, and procuring a spade he du.
down tall he unearthed an old pair over.
alls. The tops and bottoms Of the leg
. were tied and stuffed completely full o
$50 gold pieces. Wood had no NOR,
than laid the treasure bare To the hgh
than the trap door closed above with
slam. Through the cracks in the foo
he heard the curses Of the parson stand
ing on the door above.
With herculesn strength he forced tn
trap open and sprane uyon the preac hel
When he found himself conquered b
told the whole story Of his possession q
the gold. Like every one else in IN,
neighborhood, he said he had hear,
stories Of buried gold about the wicow'
plantation. While going one evening t.
call upon her he saw her standing near
tree intently looking at the ground. II,
went there night or two after and du
up tae treasure. But little of it had bee,
spent, however, and the rest was return
ed to the widow. The preacher was no
prosecuted, that being his irst crime, bu
WAS compelled to leave the country
(li,19o Tys.oId