St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-08-25


Brad
lacks eyes flashed with indigna-
ton. but nothing more was said or
done till the Spray arrived at the
wharf
The loss of his boat was a serions
matter tor Uncle Sol. And it was in
vain that he applied to Brad's father
for redress. Mr.. Belchers would not
even listen to him.
"Now's the time some O Cap'n
Kidd's buried gold would come in
handy, eh, Jack ~ remarked the old
man ruefully on the following even
inc. as the two sat on the little
porch in front of the house, looking
out over the sea which was bathed
in a wonderful sheen of moonlight.
"Some of the old squire's would
too" returned Jack, who was feeling
very heavy hearted. 1t was not
alone at the loss of the fortune which
should have been his. He had deep
affection 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 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 beetling lodges, leaving Jack
plunged in very gloomy meditation.
lust before reaching Kidd's ledge,
which was said to be marked by
three crosses cut in the stone, muir
muir of voices reached his ear.
Stopping and crouching low in the
shadow of the 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-apparently
digging with all their might at the
base of the rock.
"By the big horn spoon." mutter-
ed the old skipper excitedly, 'some-
body's found the place where the
treasures buried and is digging for
it'll"
The evening was calm and still,
with only the gentle swish of the sea
waves on the beach to break the 81
lence. Hesitating moment, Uncle
Sol stole along to the other side OF
Kidd's ledge, and softly climbed up
ward till he reached the top. Then
worming himself along to the edge
he peeped over.
"What possessed you to run such
risk, Bradford ?" were the first in
telligible words that reached the
shippers ears.
! mo great risk about it," coolly re.
turned the other. "No one knew that
Uncle Josh had made a will, and as
I 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.
Il knew the house would be ran
- sacked and 1 didn't want to bring il
. home" was the surly reply.
= The skipper, who had listened will
amazement too deep for words, fel
his heart almost stop beating as tn
=. whole truth of the matter flashed
across his mind.
:. Dragging himself still further for
= ward, Uncle Sol GRAINED his neck unit
y he could see what was going on be
, low. Brad had disinterred a small
! trunk of japanned tin, which stoot
u open on the sand His father ha,
: taken out one of the papers and
lighting a match, was reading tn
II heading.
!, Last will and testament of Joshu
i Belchers, Esquire" he read aloud
= Hum, well, l hardly know what t
= do about this
= 1t occurred to Uncle Sol that a
honest man should know withou
e studying such a question for me
/ ment.
5 Burn it, OF course" responde
J. Brad.
k eff did," said his father solemnly
,e sit would only be to-er-save 20
" from the consequences of what 20
O have done"
n Cannon! sneered Brad "Yo
know you're as anxious to hold o
IS to the property as l am. Burn it,
$. say"
k, Mr.. Belchers pretended to hesitat
lie Then, drawing another match frol
III his pocket, he struck it on the rock
he as the two stood close togethe
st Uncle Sol opened his mouth to We
when suddenly he overbalanced hin
at self, and down he went, the yell e
v, Gaping as he pitched forward. Rol
lg ing down the steep and slipper
lg ledge, he struck heavily on M
in Belcher's head and Brads shoulder
ed throwing them both to the sand.
Neither of them stopped ther
at Two more frightened individua
u never scrambled from a recumbel
all posture and took to their heels wit