The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-06-10

meditations
Just before reaching Kdd's ledge, which
was said to be marked by threee crosses
cut in the stone, a murrnJEr of voices reach
ed his ear. Stopping and crouching low
in the shadow of a great bowlder. Uncle
Sol peered cautiously out Two persons,
whose backs were toward him. were bend
ing over the sand at the foot of Kidd's
INDEPENDENTLY digging with all their
might at the base of the rock.
by the big horn spoonf" muttered the
old skipper excitedly, somebody's found
the place where the treasures buried and
is a 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. 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 peeped over
What possessed you to run such a ire
mendous risk, Bradford?" were the first
| ineligible words tnat reached the skip
per's ears.
'No great risk about it," coolly returned
the other. mo one knew that Uncle Josh
had made will, and as 1 happened to find
| it in the tin trunk with some other papers,
1 slipped it away and 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 l didn't want to carry it home, " was
the surly reply.
| The skipper, VINO 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-
panned 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 knowvwhat 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 1 did," said hisfather solemnly, st
would only be to-er-ssrve you from the
y
'Gammon" sneered Brad. you know
you're as anxious to hold on to the prop
erty as l am. Burn it, Lsay."
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 Solopened
his mouth to yell when suddenly he over
balanced himself, and doGn he went, the
yell escaping as he pitched forward. Roll
ing down the steep and slippery ledge, he
struck heavily on Mr.. Belchers' head and
Brad's shoulders. throwing them both to
the sand.
Neither of them stopped there. Two
more frightened Observation-Disclosures scram-
bled fror recumbent posture and took
to their heels without so much as casting
a glance behind
eye couldn't see 'em fer the sand they
kicked up behind 'em," chuckEngly 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.
1t 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
trustee to hold the property till Jack came
of age.
Il knowed I'd git even with them two
critters, only l didn't think it would be so
soon," said Uncle Sol; IAN now, Jack. don't
lose minute, but hurry up to Lawyer
Titcomb's and enter complaint agin 'em
for larcenizin mans Will with intent to
defraud, or whatever you call it."
What for?" TRANQUILITY interruptedJac |
SOS to have 'em both put N states |
prism, of course" returned Uncle Sol with |
bewildered stare.
'I'l 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.
Il will trouble you both to leave my
premises" coolly observed Jack. Il hap
pen to have here the will which you, Brad,
stole and hid away, and you, Mr.. Belchers,"
turning TO the lawyer, intended TO burn"
What could be said to such an accuse
ton: Mr.. Belchers stammered something
about mistake and hurriedly departed
Il suppose now you've got the whip
hand you'll pay US OF in-in our own coin"
doggedly remarked Brad, who had fingered
behind.
What do you mean" asked Jack
"Why, shove US into state prison"
Il shall do nothing Of the kind firmly
returned Jack, though you both richly
deserve it. No one but Uncle Sol Maxwell
and | know what you have done, and /
don intend any one shall"
You'd orter had your revenge agin
'em, Jack" grumb led Uncle Sol, who no
longer goes fishing for a living You
orter. for facts a poor rule that won Z
work both ways"
Il know one that don't" answered
Jack
What ones that"
The golden rule" said Jack quietly;
"for whatsoever u would that men should
do TO you, do We even so unto them Chi
cayn Evening Post