Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-04-30
no word or message even to show that
he returned his regard.

superstition. 1t was the full OF the
moon, and according to an old legend
it was at such a 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, n murmur Of
voices reached his ear. Stopping and
c%rouching low in the shadow of a 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 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. 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, Bradfordp" were the
first intelligent words that reached the
shippers ears.
mo great risk about it," coolly re-
turned 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, | slipped it
away and buried it here"
"Why here?" asked Mr.. Belchers.
who did not seem so much shocked a
might have been expected.
Il knew the house would be ransack-
ed, and didn't want to carry il 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 disinterred a small square
trunk of japanned tin, which stood
open on the sand. His father had
taken one of the papers and, lightinga
match, vas 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 a moment.
Burn it, of course" tersely respond
ed Brad.
"If did" said his father. solemnly,
lit would only be to-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 W stood close together. Uncle
Sol opened his mouth TO yell, when
suddenly he overbalanced himself, and
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 ~ much
as casting a glance behind.
aye couldn't see 'em fer the sand
they kicked up behind 'em," chuck
lingly observed Uncle Sol. as ten min
utes later he displayed TO Jacks aston
ished eyes the tin trunk Containing
the missing will and tod his story
with great gusto.
Ii is almost needless TO say that Che
recovered will was entirely in Jacks
favor. Everything was left to him
without reservation, Lawyer Titcomb
being appointed a trustee to hold the
property till Jack came of age.
Il knowed I'd get 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 Is Lawyer Titcomb's and en-
ter a complaint agin' 'em for larcen-
izin' a mans with iutcnt to defraud, or
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.
"Tll think about il, Uncle SOL" said
Jack. quietly. and then, taking the tin
trunk, he made his way uptown. But
instead of stoppi-s at Lawyer Tit
combs he kept on till he reached the
old homestead where Mr.. Belchers and
Bradford had taken up their abode.
The lawyer and his son., having re-
covered from their fright, were about
to retur to the shore. when Jack ap-
peared. At the sight of the trunk the
two grew as pale as ashes.
Il will trouble you both TO leave my
premises" coolly observed Jack. 81
! happen 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 accu-
sation? Mr.. Belchers stammered
something ABOUT Il mlstihS anu nuE-
riedly departed.
Il suppose % you've got the whip
hand you'll pay us off in-in our wi
COIN" doggedly remarked Brad, who
had fingered behind.
"What do you mean?' asked Jack.
"Why, shove us into states prison."
II shall do nothing of the kind"
firmly returned Jack. though you
both richly deserve it. No one but
Uncle Sol Maxwell and l know what
you have done, ard don't intend any
one shall"
You'd orter had your revenge agin'
'em, Jack" grumblcd Uncle Sol, who
no longer goes fishing for a living
"You orter, for a fac'-it's q poor rule
hat won't work both ways"
Il know one that dont," answered
Jack.
what ones that?"
~The golden rule" said Jack, quiet
ly; "for whatsoever We would that men
should do to you, do ye even so into
them"
Tobacco In Africa.