Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-05-27


"By the big horn spooni' muttered the
old skipper excitedly, somebody's found
the place where the treasures buried and
is diggin for It'll"
The evening was calm and still, with
only the gentle swash of the sea waves on
the beach to break the silence. Hesitating
moment, Uncle Sol stole along to the
other side of Kidd's ledge, and softly
climbed upward till he reached the top.
Then worming himself along to the edge,
he beeped over.
'What possessed you to run such ire
mendous risk, Bradford?" were the first
ineligible words that reached the skip
per's ears.
mo great risk about it," coolly returned
the other. mo one knew that Uncle Josh
had made a will, and as happened to find
it in the tin trunk with some other papers,
I slipped it away aud buried it here"
"Why here?" asked Mr.. Belchers, who
did not seem SO much shocked as might
have been expected.
II knew the house would be ransacked,
and didn't want to carry it home," was
the surly reply.
The skipper, who had listened with
amazement too deep for words, felt his heart
almost stop beating as the whole truth of
the matter flashed across his mind.
Dragging himself still further forward,
Uncle Sol craned his neck until he could
see what was going on below. Brad had
disinterred a small square trunk of ja-
PANIED tin, which stood open ON the sand
His father had taken out one Of the papers
and, lighting a match, was reading the
heading
Last will and testament of Joshua
Belchers, Esquire" he read aloud. "Hum
well, hardly know what to do about this. !"
1t occurred to Uncle Sol that an honest
man would know without studying such a
question for moment.
"Burn it, of course" tersely responded
Brad
IF I did," said his father solemnly, at
would only be to-er-save you from the
consequences of what you have DONE"
"GammonW sneered Brad. 'tYou know
you're as anxious to hold on to the prop
erty as am. Burn it, say"
Mr.. Belchers pretended to hesitate
Then, drawing another match from his
pocket, he struck it on the rocks as the
two stood close together. Uncle Sol opened
his mouth to yell when suddenly he over
balanced himself, and down he went, the
yell escaping as he pitched forward Roll
Ing 0OWA U41O SoOOP cAh0 oAAPtC1y AOOSCs AC
struck heavily on Mr.. Belchers' head and
Brad's shoulders. throwing them both to
the sand.
Neither of them stopped there. Two
more frightened individuals never scram-
bled from a recumbent posture and took
to their heels without SO much as casting
glance behind.
eye couldn't see 'em fer the sand they
kicked up behind 'em," chucklingly OBJ
served Uncle Sol, as ten minutes later he
displayed to Jacks astonished eyes the tin
trunk containing the missing will and told
his story with great gusto.
It is almost needless to say that the re-
covered will was entirely in Jacks favor.
Everything was left to him without reser-
walton, Lawyer Titcomb being appointed a
trustee to hold the property till Jack came
of age.
81 knowed I'd git even with them two
critters, only didn't think it would be so
soon," said Uncle Sol; ian now, Jack, don't
lose a minute, but hurry up to Lawyer
Titcomb's and enter a complaint agin 'em
for larcenizin mans will with intent to
defraud, or whatever you call it.
'What for?' TRANQUILITY interrupted Jack.
"Sos to have 'em both put n states
prism, of course" returned Uncle Sol with
bewildered stare.
'sI'll think about it, Uncle SOL" said
Jack quietly. And then taking the tin
trunk, he made his way up town. But
Instead Of stopping at Lawyer Titcomb's
he kept on till he reached the old home
stead where Mr.. Belchers and Bradford
had taken up their abode.
The lawyer and his son, having recover
ed from their fright were about to return
to the shore, when Jack appeared. At the
sight of the trunk the two grew pale as
ashes.
81 will trouble you both to leave my
premises" coolly observed Jack. II hap
pen to have here the will which you, Brad,
stole and hid away, and you, Mr.. Belchers,"
turning to the lawyer, 'intendedto burn"
|, What could be said to such an accusa-
ton? Mr.. Belchers stammered something
about mistake and hurriedly departed
II suppose now you've got the whip
hand you'll pay us off min our own coin"
doggedly remarked Brad, who had fingered
behind.
'What do you mean?" asked Jack.
"Why, shove us into state prison."
81 shall do nothing of the kind" firmly
returned Jack, though you both richly
deserve it. No one but Uncle Sol Maxwell
and 1 know what you have done, and
don't intend any one shall"
"You'd orter had your revenge agin
'em, jack" grumbled Uncle Sol, who no
longer goes fishing for living. "You
orter, for fac'-it's poor rule that won't
work both ways"
81 know one that DON'T" answered
Jack.
"What ones that?"
1.-THE golden ruler said Jack quietly:
do to you, do ye even SO unto them. Chi
cago Evening Post.