Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-29
A TREASURE.

times she laid on him tho task of bcguil
ing the hours before lunch with stories,
sometimes, more greatly condcscending,
sho would tell him her own pretty secrets,
while he louDged at ease and lazily looked
down upon the harbor and the quiet bay
that lies beyond it.
On this particular morning Doris had
demanded tale, and he had promised
obedience. But he did not desire to at
tempt story, having no Imagination at
all and memory only for certain private
sorrows of his own. His opening was
therefore an unworthy subterfuge ''Once
upon time. Say, Doris, wouldn't
you like to come out with me on a real
hunt for buried treasurer
Is there any:" asked Doris doubtfnlly.
We'll, IL it comes to that he began.
But should think we stand a very good
chance. Don't you know that the Span
iards landed here long ago and burned the
placer You may depend the village folk
hid their treasure when they fled, and
three of them were killed. 1t is quite
likely that to this day their plate and
money lie hidden somewhere close al
hand
But it would be no good finding it, -
said Doris 'We should have to give il
up to COVER ment. Gardener told me.
What is COVER mentf'
Government" said the visitor. "It's
you and me and--a--everybod else -
''Then we should get some of the treas.
ure?'
1t was the visitors turn to DO doubtful
''Some of it, l suppose" he answered
AT any rate, we should have the fun of
finding it,
Doris hesitated, celebrating. THAT
would be nice she admitted. "Should
we get so much as 2i?"
AT least that, " said the visitor. "Then
think III come Ellen's mother Is VERY
poor. and she wants to buy mangle But
she's 81 short in her money, and in
these hard times you can't get trust, nof
like you used TO when Ellens mother wa,
young. There's so many rogues about that
even honest folk must pay cash. Ellens
mother told me L could give her the
pound.
The visitor groaned within himself, fore.
seeing that he would be altogether ont o,
favor If the expedition ended fruitlessly.
Yet there was nothing for it but To go
ahead. Are you ready 10 start at onceg'
he asked.
quite ready" said Doris "Now,
don't forget your pipe. Where are wo 60.
ingf''
That was more than the visitor knew.
"Won just look about until we find a
likely place" he said, holding the gate
open, "or would you rather go into town
and get some chocolates
Chocolate" exclaimed Doris scorn.
fully. Then returning to the subject
which was of Importance, Did, you ever
go on a treasure hunt really"
Not exactly answered her slave
THAT is, | once knew q man who did
You're not going TO keep your promise
and tell mo story
1t not much Of a story, y he answered
"a man | know got hold somehow Of a
map of an island lying thousands Of miles
away, out there where the sun sets. with,
a mark on it showing where pirate had,
hidden boxes and boxes of gold, silver and
jewels long ago. so he got IA boat and
sailed away TO that island, he and two or
three friends. You would have seen him
pass if you had been watching in your gar
den Perhaps you did but OF course you
wouldn't know"
II remember q boat" said Doris. lit
wen. right ont toward the sunset. 1t was
long time ago-before you came. Per
haps that was his boat
Perhaps" answered the visitor. AT
any rate, they sailed away into the west.
thousands and thousands of miles.
Storms came, and their boat which was
quite small one, was often on the verge
of being wrecked. But at last they came
to the island and found quiet harbor.
There was not living soul on the island,
only gents and sea gulls'
II love sea gulls." cried Doris. II
should like to be treasure hunter all the
time
Il don't know about that said her
companion. Il don't know that ii is
the best thing for man 1t is wiser
just to be content. Mere bread and hut.
ter would not be interesting all tho time.
but one grows used to things, and ono
wouldn't mind it much suppose. if some
day it were lacking, whereas. after a
week of birthday cake But WAS
forgetting my friends story. Fora whole
week after reaching the island they hunted
for the place that was marked with IA cross
on the map. Then they found it.
And did they get the treasurer"
Just three golden coins and a few
small silver ones! Some one else had
heard of the cnve and got a boa, and come
and plundercd it. These few coins had
dropped out of the great boxes they carried
down TO their boat My friend wa; very
much disappointed. "
Well" said Doris emphaticallv. II
should think he was. l hope that won't
happen to us. Have you seen II likely
place yet?''
The visitor perceived that all the tenn
porizing in the world would be of no avail.
Above tho road they had been following
the land rises very steeply and in one
place the hillside had been quarred No
one works there now. nor has any one done
SO for Il long time. Bramble and bracken.
willow herb and yellow ragwort, fill the
place, and in autumn it echoes from dawn
to dusk with the voices Of the children
who come in companies to gather its black
berries. There are also butterflies, birds
and other things about which man may
converse, if it be necessary to talk, and i'll
fluent conversation lay the visitor one
hope of salvation.
Il think we might have look at the
quarry" he said. Its just the sort of
place that l should choose if had treasure
to hide
So they walked on rapidly. Doris was
cot i. i