The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-06-08

Cne loss OF the fortune which should
have been his. He had had deep af-
fection for eccentric Squire Belchers,
and it hurt Jack more than he cared
to own that his adopted father had left
no word or message even to show that
he returned his regard.
Uncle Sol made no answer Like
many of his kind, he was inclined to
superstition. 1t was the full of the
moon, and according to an old legend
it was at such time that the marks on
Kidd's Ledge locating the burying
place of a pot of gold were visible.
The skipper was thinking of this, as,
making some careless excuse, he rose,
and strolling down to the shore took
his way along the shadows of the beet
ling lodges, leaving Jack plunged in
rather gloomy meditation.
just before reaching Kidd's Ledge,
which was said to be marked by three
crosses cut in the stone, a murmur of
voices reached his ear. Stopping and
crouching low in the shadow of great
bowlder, Uncle Sol peered cautiously
out. Two persons, whose backs were
toward him, were bending over the
sand at the foot of Kidd's Ledge-ap-
parently digging with all their might
at the base of the rock.
"By the big horn spoon!" muttered
the old skipper excitedly, somebody's
found the place where the treasures
berried and is diggin' for it,"
The evening was calm and Still, with
only the gentle swash of the sea waves
on the beach to break the silence. Hes
itating a moment. Uncle Sol stole out
along to the other side of Kidd's Ledge
and softly climbed upward till he
reached the top. Then worming him
self along to the edge, he peeped over.
what possessed you to run such a
tremendous risk, Bradford?" were the
first intelligent words that reached the
skipper's ears.
mo great risk about it," coolly re-
turned the other. mo one knew that
Uncle Josh had made a will, and as l
happened to find it in the tin trunk
with some other papers, l slipped it
away and buried it here"
why herep" asked Mr.. Belchers,
who did not seem so much shocked as
might have been expected.
Il knew the house would be ransack-
ed, and l didn't want to carry it home."
was the surly reply.
The skipper who had listened with
an 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 farther for
hard, Uncle Sci craned his neck until
he could see what was going on below.
Brad had disin nterred a small square
trunk of japanned tin, which stood
open on the sand. His father had
taken 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 hon
est man would know without studying
such a question for moment.
"Burn it,of course" tersely respond
ed Brad
"If l did," said his father, solemnly,
1T would only be -er-save you
from the consequences of what you
have done"
Cannon" sneered Brad. "You
know you're as anxious to hold on to
the property 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 overbalanced himself, a nd
down he went. the yell escaping as he
pitched forward. Rolling down the
steep and slippery ledge, he struck
heavily on Mr. ,Belcher's head and
Brad's shoulders, throwing them both
to the sand.
Neither of them stopped there. Two
more frightened individuals never
scrambled from a recumbent position
and took to their heels without so much
as casting glance behind.
aye couldn't see 'em fer the sand
they kicked up behind 'em," chuck
utes later he displayed torJack's aston
ished eyes the tin trunk containing g
the missing will and told his story
with great gusto.
1t is almost needless to say that the
recovered will was entirely in Jacks
favor. Everything was left to him
without reservation, Lawyer Titcomt
being appointed trustee to hold the
property till Jack came of age.
Il knowed I'd get even with them
two critters, only l didn't think it
would be so soon," said Uncle Sol; "an'
now, Jack, don't lose a minute, but
hurry up to Lawyer Titcomb's and en-
ter complaint agin' 'em for larcen-
izin' mans with intent to defraud, ol
whatever you call it. :"
what for?" TRANQUILITY interrupted
Jack.
"So's to have EN- both put n states
prism, of course" returned Uncle Sol
with a bewildered stare.
"Ill think about it, Uncle SOL" sale
Jack, quietly, and then. taking the til
trunk, he made his way uptown. Blu
instead of stopping at Lawyer lit
combs he kept on till he reached tn
old homestead where Mr.. Belchers AM
Bradford had taken up their abode.
The lawyer and his son, having re
covered from their fright, were abou
to return to the shore, when Jack ap
peared At the sight of the trunk tn
two grew as pale as ashes.
Il will trouble you both to leave m
premises" coolly observed Jack. s
happen to have here the will whic
you, Brad, stole and hid away, an
you, Mr.. Belchers," turning to tn
lawyer, intended to burn"
, w nat could be Salu TO Sucn an accu
sationP Mr.. Belchers stammere
something about mistake and hui
riedly departed.
81 suppose now you've got the viii
> hand youm pay us off in-in our ow
coin, doggedly remarked Brad, wh
had fingered behind.
what do you mean?" asked Jack.
"Why, shove us into states prison.
a shall do nothing of the kind,
firmly returned Jack, though yo
:. both richly deserve it. No one br
Uncle Sol Maxwell and 1 know VIII;
you have done, and don't intend an
one shall"
:, = You'd orter had your revenge agil
), 'em, Jack" grumbled Uncle Sol, WI
y no longer goes fishing for living
"You orter, for fac'-it's a poor ru
- that won't work both ways"
81 know one that DON'T" answere
:, Jack!
"What ones that?"
"The golden rule" said Jack, quie
:, ly; "for whatsoever ye would that me
should do to you, do ye even so un
than 10