The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-18


whose backs were toward him, were
bending over the sand at the foot o!
/ Kids ledge, apparently digging wish
/ all their might at the base of the rock
/ Hesitating 3 moment Uncle Sol stole
I along to the other side of Kids ledge
and softly climbed upward till he
reached the top Then worni1Q
/ himself along to the edge he peepeG
over.
/ what possessed you TO run such 9
/ tremendous risk. BradfordS' were the
/ first ineligible words that reached the
! shippers ear.
No great risk about it." coolly re
turned the other. NO one knew that
Uncle Josh had made will, and as
happened to find it in the tin trunk
with some other papers ! slipped il
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 didn't want to carry i.
home" was the surly reply.
The skipper, who had listened with
ama2ement 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
ward Uncle Sol craned his neck until
he could see what was going on below.
Brad had disinterred small square
trunk of Japanned tin, winch stood
open ON tho sand His father had
taken ont one of the papers and, light
ing match, was reading the heading.
Last viii and testament of Joshua
Belchers. Esq" he read aloud Hum.
we'll. l hardly know what TO do about
this"
It occurred to Uncle Sol that an hon.
est man would know without study ing
such question for moment
Burn it, OF course" tersely respond
ed Brad
''If l did" said his father. solennty,
ct would only be to--er-save you
from the consequences of what you
have done"
''Gsmmonw sneered Brad. lyon
know you're rs anxious to hold onto
the property as am Burn 1t. say. :"
MIR. Belchers pretended to hesitate.
Then drawing another match from his
pocket, he struck It on the rock as the
two stood close together.
Uncle Sol opened his mouth to yell.
when suddenly he overbsLanced him.
self and down he went, the yeIl esrap-
ing as he pitched forward Falling
down the steep and slippery ledge. he
struck heavily on MIR. Beleher's head
and Brad's shoulders, throwing them
both TO the sand.
Neither of them stepped here, Two
more frightened individuals never
scrambled from recumbeut posture
and took to their heels without a.
much IS casting glance behind.
aye couldn't SEQ EN- for the sand
they kicked up behind EN-" chuclc-
Engly observed Uncle SOL as ten min
utes later 10 displayed to Jacks aston
ished eyes tho tin trunk containing the
missing will. and told his story with
great gusto.
II l1nomed I'd git even with them
two critters, only didn't think it
would be so soon" said Uncle Sols IAN
now, Jack, don't lose a minute, but
hurry up 70 Lawyer Titcomb's and en-
ter a complaint agin EN- for larcenizin'
a mans Will with intent to defraud, or
whatever you call it."
What for?" TRANQUILITY interrupted
Jack.
Sos to have ZEN both putin states
prison, of course returned Uncle Sol,
with bewildered STARE.
IN 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
Titcnmb's 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 return to the thore when Jack ap-
peared. At the sight of tie trunk the
two grew pale as ashes.
- viii trouble you both to leave nv
premises" coolly observed Jack 81
happen to have here the will which you,
Brad, stole and hid away, and you, Nr.
Belchers," turning to the lawyer, in
tended TO burn"
What conid be said to such an accuse
ton? Mr.. Belchers stammered some
thing about mistake and hl.rriedlr
departed
Il suppose now you've got the whip
hand you'll pay Us off in-our own coin,
dogEedlT remarked Brad, who had lin
gered behind
What do you nean?" asked Jack.
Why, shove us into prison"
81 shall do nothing of the kind
firmly returned Jack. though you both
deserve it No one bat Uncle Sol Max
well and know what you have done,
and don't intend anyone shall"