The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-04-22
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 meditations
Just before reaching Kids ledge,
which was said to be marked by three
crosses cut in the stone, a. murmur of
voices reached his car.
Stopping and crouching low in the
shadow of great bowlder, Uncle Sol
pcercd 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.
Hesitating moment Uncle Sol stole
along to the other side of Kidd's ledge
and softly climbed upward til: he
reached the top Then WORKING
himself along to the edge he peeped
over.
"What possessed you to run such a
tremendous risk. Bradford?" were the
first ineligible words that reached the
shippers ear.
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 1t
away and buried it here"
why here?" asked Mr.. Belchers.
who did not seem SO much shocked as
I'll I, cd
81 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
amazcment 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
Brad had disinterred small square
trunk of Japanned tin, which stood
open on the sand. His father had
taken out one of the papers and, light
| ing q 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,
cit would only be to-er--save you
from the consequences of what you
have done"
"Gammon!'' sneered Brad. "You
know you're as anxious to hold onto
the property as am. Burn it. / say. y
Mr.. Belchers pretended to hesitate.
Then drawing another match from his
pocket, he struck it on tho rock as the
two stood close together.
Uncle Sol opened his mouth to yell,
when suddenly he overbalanccd him.
self and down he went the yell escap
ing as he pitched forward. Falling
down the steep and slippery ledge, be
struck heavily on MIR. Belcher's head
and Brad's shoulders. throwing then
both to the sand.
Neither of them stopped here. Two
more frightened individuals never
scrambled from n recumbcnt posture
and took to their heels without a.
much as casting glance behind.
"Yc couldn't see 'cm for the sane
they kicked up behind 'cm,v chuck
lingly observed Uncle Sol, Us ten min
utes later he displayed to Jacks aston
ishcd eyes the tin trunk containing tn,
missing will, and told his story will
great gusto. 80
II knowcd I'd git even with then
two critters, only / didn't think
would be so soon." said Uncle Sol; ian
now. Jack, don't lose minute. bu
hurry mp to Lawyer Titcomb's and en-
ter complaint agin 'em for larcenizir
!, a mans will with intent to dcfraud, o
whatever you call it"
"what for?" TRANQUILITY interrupts
Jack.
SOS to have 'em both putin state
prison, of course" returned Uncle Sol
with bcwildercd STARE.
'.Tll think about it, Uncle Sol" sal
Jack. quietly. And then, taking the ii
| trunk, he made his way up town.
But instead of stopping at Lawye
5 Titcomb's he kept on till he reache
the old homestead, where Mr.. Belcher
and bradford had taken up their abode
The lawyer and his son, having RI
4 covered from their fright, were nbor
1 to return to the shore when Jack al
2 peared. At the sight of the trunk th
: two grew pale as ashes.
II will trouble you both to leave m
s premises" coolly observed Jack.
! happen to have hef> the will which yo'
!. Brad. stole and hid away, and you, M
: Belchers," turning to the lawyer. I'll
b tended to burn"
!. What could be said to such an accus
u ton? Mr.. Belchers stammered som
thing about mistake and hurried
4 departed.
-. II suppose now you've got the VIII