Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-08-04

NAUTICAL calculations involved in Buck s
speculation, and which had resulted in
winnings.
Pastor" said he, give been playing
against horses, cards and sports gem
orally since I left Sadlerville. | have
made a few thousand dollars, which 1
may increase or lose altogether by keep
ing up the play Now I figure that it
will be good gamble for me to spend the
next two years in Sadlerville earning
that bequest and holding on to what I've
made already"
That's right, my son." said the pastor.
L am glad to see you turn back from the
path that leadeth to destruction"
To demonstrate that his intentions
were sincere Buck invested his winnings
III securities, remained at the old home
stead and INDUCED in no greater excite
ment than a game Of checkers or back
CANNON.
Buck said Pastor Duncan Smith,
who had called at the homestead Il few
days before the two years of probation
that you have kept faith in regard TO
your fathers will, and | have a suggeS-
ton to make. The two years that | nave
been intrusted with your legacy Will end
one week from next Thursday. Don't
you think it would be a good idea to have
family picnic on that day at Glenn's
grove and | will formally turn over to
you the bequest?'
The retired hOrseman and card player
had never taken any interest in the So
cial gatherings of his bucolic neigh borS
and picnic was not by any means q
gratifying suggestion; but he acquesccd
as the pastor seemed to hint that there
was some special significance in having
public picnic attached to the bestowal
of the legacy.
The eventful Thursday came, and the
3radleys, accompanied by many relatives
and friends, with Rev. Duncan Smith as
master of ceremonies, repaired to Glenn's
grove, where games and outdoor sports
occupied the young folks and small chill
dren.
Their elders gossiped among them
selves on such topics as local events af
forded. Buck was naturally the object of
interest but. as he had been about the
world enough to adapt himself to all cir
cumstances, he mingled cheerfully with
all, betraying no anxiety or curiosity as
to the wealth he was about to receive.
Early in the afternoon a bOunteous din
ner was served, and at its close the Rev.
Duncan Smith. with great deliberatiOn
and much needless talk, invited the par
ty to assemble at a large, fat rock, which
was a feature of the grounds. and he
would address them. He added quite an
producing about twenty feet of log los
chain with a single tree attached.
The party gathered about the rock, and
from it the Rev. Mr.. Smith made good
his promises to address them.
For three-quarters of an hour he lee
tured his audience on how worthy it was
to be good and how bad it was to be
wicked. until most of his hearers felt that
a Sunday had somehow slipped into the
mil
back in their pews in the old frame
Westinghouse.
Suddenly the pastor changed his de-
clamatory style, and, after dramatic
pause, proceeded in a practical tone:
Friends" he said, dear Brother Brad
ley and | had an understanding. From
his savings he withdrew $4,000 IN gold
which was secreted in a manner known
only to ourselves. In the event of his
death this was to be reserved for his son.
James Buchanan, known to you as Buck,
on conditions named i'll the will with
which You are familiar.
Nov" continued the pastor, 81 de-
clare James Buchanan Bradley has
worthily sustained himself during two
years of probation. and | transfer all
right title and interest, namely, 500
600 in gold. which is boarded in an iron
pot beneath the rock upon which I
stand
There was a great buzz of excitement,
and even Buck, who was invariably COOL
was somewhat frustrated inwardly.
Phlllp,' said the pastor to one of the
farmer boys, "unhOok my white mare
from the buggy and We'll pull aside the
stOne.''
The chain was properly affixed and the
white mare was about to be hitched
thereto when Buck interrupted for the
first time.
''No, no. said he. 81 don't want it
done that way. Get that team of Ken
lucky jacks that belong to Brother
Abram and hook them to that chain"
"Why, certainly, if you wish it" said
the pastor, though a little disappointed
The two kentucky jacks were brought,
pair of glossy black animals, strong
enough to pull over a house.
Almost without effort they drew away
the rock. and for the first time the hid
den wealth was seen.
A moldy canvas covering was laid
over the top of a large iron pot. Be
meath this were many long rolls of double
eagles securely wrapped in thick brown
paper. The wrappers were removed from
couple of these rolls, and the entire
party, now worked up to a great pitch of
excitement, was allowed to view and
handle these specimens as a guaranty
that all were genuine.
Buck generously gave a double eagle
to each member of the family as a sou
venir of the occasion and a handful to
the pastor as recognition of his faith
ful truSteeShiD.
Those who had no special claim on
Buck were invited to participate in an
iice-cream festival on the following even
ing: plenty of refreshments to be fur
nished at no cost to those who paid the
compliment Of their attendance.
After this announcement everybody
seemed to be satisfied
The day was wearing, and the iron pot,
with its golden wealth, was lifted into
the family wagon for the home trip.
Buck was anxious to get away from the
crowd, but just as he was about to leave
IN his brothers conveyance, Rev. Duncan
Smith called to him:
Il want just a word with YOU said
he, as he led Buck to one side, out Of
hearing, Il would like to have you an
sWer me truthfully one question You
know card players and gamblers have
queer notions about things that they
think give them good luck. and vice
versa. Now, honestly. didn't you have
some superstition about white horse
that made you object to my old mare
drawing that stone?''
la IL