The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-09
A CAPE COD LEGEND.

moss and 1t will soon fall to the ground.
| for it sits on the brow of a hill overlook.
! ing the sea in a sheltered little harbor on
| the bleak New England coast, and it cam
| not much longer Withstand the fierce win
! ter gales. There are no trees on the hill
| side, and the old house stands out in bold
relief above the thick growth of pines that
are below ON the lower land.
Many years have passed since the old
place was inhabited, since the friendly
light from its windows aided the fisher
men to anchor safely within the harbor.
No sounds are heard now save the waves
as they dash upon the sandy beach. But
there are some people who remember when
Aunt Esther lived in the old house, and
many were the incidents of interest in her
quiet life. There she was born and lived
all through her girlhood and married life
and only left it for the little cemetery on
the hillside. She had no children, but was
dearly loved by the young people, some
of whom were nearly always with her.
Aunt Esther was ever busy. When hef
great loom in the chamber above, where
she wove cloth for home use and for sale
also, was silent, there were many things
to be done on the farm. Aunt Esther
knew just how and where every rod of
their possessions was situated. and they
covered an area of several miles She
knew every boundary of their woodland.
have heard my grandma relate how she
had gone for a little walk with Aunt Els
Their just at sunset, when she became so
absorbed in tracing some boundary line
as not to return to the house till quite
late in the evening, grandma becoming
meanwhile quite exhausted.
But it is of the adventure of night
in tho old house, when Aunt Esther was
young, that grandma has often told me.
Aunt Esther's parents were away, and
grandma spent the night with her, the
two girls being the only occupants of the
house. They retired early, sleeping in the
large spare room up stairs it's windows
looking out over the sea. They must have
felt little timid, for they took the pre-
caution of drawing heavy chest in front
of the door. In those days houses were
never locked.
Grandma, always light sleeper, was
aroused about midnight by the sound of
footsteps beneath her window. After a
few minutes the outer door opened, and
the girls, now fully awakened, heard some
one enter and begin to look about the
house, opening doors and finally coming
with heavy tread up the stairs.
can imagine that to have been a try
ing moment for them; but, to their re-
lief, after coming about half way up, the
steps paused, and finally the person went
down. Soon, by the stiffness, grandma
know the person had left the house. Then
their courage returned, and rising they
quickly dressed and seated themselves by
the window.
It being comparatively light night,
although there was not a star to be seen,
they saw a large ship, riding at anchor,
close in to the shore. While they were
wondering over this, for none but small
fishing vessels ever anchored there and
not sail had been in sight when they re-
tired, their attention was suddenly drawn
to two men, coming up from the shore,
4 Al -
a small boat, with shovels on their backs
and bearing between them a large box.
This box was apparently very heavy, as
they stopped twice and set it down for
moment before reaching the woods where
they disappeared from sight. 1t seemed
that they wanted to be sure of the house
being unoccupied before they ventured to
bring their burden ashore.
After an hour had passed the men re-
turned TO the boat. having left the box.
With rapid strokes they soon left the shore
and reached the vessels side. Then the
sails were unfurled, and as silently as she
had come the ship left the little harbor.
Now that all was over the girls lay
down upon their beds and slept until
morning.
When Aunt Esther's parents arrived,
they listened with interest to the story of
the night. Grandma's father, then old
man, said it was without doubt pirate
snip, ana IN the STRONG DOx was stored
some of their i'll gotten gains.
Others had seen the ship. Some belat-
ed fishermen had seen the boat as she was
rowed away from the shore
Then began an eager quest to find the
box which it was believed the men had
buried. Some thought il was a notorious
robber of that time, who was far famed
for his bold and daring deeds, and that
being closely threatened with capture he
had hidden this treasure away until such
time as he should return for it. Parties
were organized and search made for the
box, but all without avail. Even many
years after men were known to dig in the
vain hope of finding the buried treasure.
Ono man, whose mind was somewhat
unsettled, dug a cave within the forest
and here lived hermit HfeS searching al
ways for the hidden gold.
With what awe do the children even
now walk through this grove of treesi As
they listen to the story the woods look
very dark and gloomy, and they seem to
see the hard faced men digging silently
IN the solemn night. They imagine all
sorts of things the box might have con-
tanned and talk of tho hermit, pointing
out the place that was his care, and they
draw a breath of relief when once they are
out of the woods into tho sunlight again.
In after years many a night did Aunt
Esther arise from her bed and gaze out
over the pillows in vain hope of again see
ing tho pirate ship. All her watching
was never rewarded. Whether the pirates
if pirates they were-came and silently
took their treasure away, unseen by any,
or whether it moldered away in the forest
shades remains an open question.-Ex-
change.