The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-02-16
locating the burying place Of pot OF
gold were visible.

The skipper was thinking Of this as,
making some careless excuse, he rose,
and, stroliing down to the shore, took
his way along the shadows of the beet
ling lodges, leaving Jack plunged in
rather gloomy meditations.
just before reaching Kidd's ledge,
which was said to be marked by three
crosses cut in the stone, 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
Kidds ledge, apparently digging with
all their might at the base of the rock.
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
tremendous risk. Bradford?" were the
first Ineligible words that reached the
skipper's ear.
''No great risk about it," coolly re-
turned the other. "No one knew that
Uncle Josh had made will, and as I
happened to find it in the tin trunk
with some other papers 4 slipped 1t
away and buried it here"
why here?" asked Mr.. Belchers,
who did not seem 80 much shocked as
might have been expected.
"I knew the house would be ran
sacked, and didn't want to carry it
home," was the surly reply.
The skipper, who had listened with
amazement too deep for words, felt his
heart almost stop beating as the whole
truth of the m after 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 a small square
trunk of Japanned tin, which stood
open on the sand. His father had
taken out one of the papers and, light
ing match, was reading the heading.
Last will and testament Of Joshua
Belchers, Esq" 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 question for moment
Burn it, of course" tersely respond
ed Brad.
'If did," said his father, solemnly,
"it would only be to-er-save you
from the consequences of what you
have done"
''Gammonl" sneered Brad. "You
l., - Ill -
the property as am. Burn It, I say" :"
Mr.. 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 overbalanced him
self and down he went, the yell escap-
ing as he pitched forward. Falling
down the steep and slippery ledge, he
struck heavily on Mr.. Belcher's head
and Brad's shoulders, throwing them
both to tho sand.
Neither Of them stopped hero. Two
more frightened individuals never
scramble from recumbent posture
and took to their heels without as
much as casting a glance behind.
"Ye couldn't see 'em for the sand
they kicked up behind 'em," chuck.
lingly observed Uncle Sol, as ten min
utes later he displayed to Jacks aston
ished eyes tho tin trunk containing the
missing will, and told his story with
great gusto.
81 knowed I'd git even with then
two critters, only I didn't think Il
would be so soon," said Uncle Sol; IAN
now, Jack, don't lose a minute, bu
hurry up to Lawyer Titcomb's and en-
ter a complaint agin 'em for larcenizin
a mans will with intent to defraud, OF
whatever you call it."
"What for9" TRANQUILITY interrupted
Jack.
SOS to have 'em both putin state'i
prison, of course" returned Uncle Sol
with a bewildered STARE.
"Pn think about it, Uncle Sol" sait
Jack, quietly. And then, taking the til
trunk, he made his way up town.
But instead of stopping at Lawye
Titcnmb's he kept on till he reaches
the old homestead, where Mr.. Belcher
and 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 pale as ashes
II will trouble you both to leave m,
premises," coolly observed Jack. "
happen to have here the will which you
Brad, stole and hid away, and you, Mr.
Belchers," turning to the lawyer, 'in
tended to burn"
What could be said to such an accusa
tionf Mr. Belchsra stammered some
thing about 4 mistake and hrrriedl,
departed.
II suppose now you've got the vhil
hand you'll pay us of in-our own coin,
doggedly remarked Brad, who had lin
gered behind.
What do you mean?" asked Jack.
"Why, shove us into prison"
81 shall do nothing of the kind,