The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-10-09

left TO take care OF itself and produces
whatever crop il saw fit; consequently
the fertile acres were covered with a
dense growth OF weeds and briars. The
stock had been sold of, a few az time,
until only a small number of broken
spirited horses remained with which 10
cultivate the patches necessity forced
them 10 till.
As the years continued TO slip away,
Mrs. Furgis died. Soon Albert followed
her, and the two remaining children
were left alone in the large, decaying
house. Harold and his sister continued
10 work the patches about the house,
and year after year mortgage few
acres OF land for money 20 pay taxes,
not daring 10 sell or rent. for fear their
treasure would fall In other hands than
their own. Through the long years of
foolish and profitless search IL never oc-
CURED 20 them, or, IL IL did, was not
acted on, that in the farm they had "A
fruitful and unfailing source of rev.
enue.
One day. In early June, as Harold sat
on the moss grown stoop, gazing dream
lily out on the luxuriant and tangled un-
dergrowth. a peddler crossed the stile
and laborcd slowly beneath pack along
the paved walk.
Would you like TO purchase divin'
ing rod?" he asked, placing his pack or
the ground. lie held out polished
metal rod that flashed brightly in the
sun.
"What Is II forP" asked Harold. taking
the rod in his hand and examining II
closely.
''To find minerals; hidden treasure
gold and silver"
. Harold opened his eyes, and an eS
preston OF interest flushed his listles'
face.
GLOW Is il used?" he asked, striving
to restrain his curiosity.
The pcddlcr carefully explained the
manner OF operating II, and again EN-
phasized its occult power OF diyination
"Haye you sold many?" asked Harold
"Not near here" returned the trader
"have just reached this section
"Name your lowest figure for the en-
tire lot" said Harold impatiently, "unt
promise not 60 sell any more In thii
county. and I'll buy them"
4 bargain was struck The peddle
walked of, laughing in his sleeve Owe
the fine sale and Harold hurried will
his purchase TO his sister. Their flag
cling hope and energies became again
buoyant.
At all hours they could be seen, rod
In hand, walking with careful step AM
, bowed head around the plantation.
1t was strange, weird picture TO SCI
4 the 1.-the, slender woman and the tall
, eaunt form of her brother MS the.
pushed their way through the tnngle,
! bracken, their eyes ever riveted on III
! ground at their feet. Specter-lilSe the.
l trnversed the summit OF mound AM
e hill. stallSed through field and pasture
] and crept in the silence and shadows o
the woodland. IL was n sad sight TO Sc
a the twain at nightfall, exhausted wit
a their ceascless tramp, sit down suller
5 detected and disappointed 10 their mig
c gardly meal in the gloom OF the oil
I house.
4 Intercourse with their neighbors haI
!, almost ceased, and they were startle
G one evening when they found them
y Ives face TO face with one of their IA
e TIERS old friends. The presence Of an
person in the house seemed almost a
T. apparition. The visit was prompted b.
$ a kindly feeling OF interest, and thei
e visitor protested mildly but earnestl
S against their course. He urged them 3
s stop their folly, refill the houses wit
!. tenants and again cultivate their farms
y Harold listened respectfully, thanke
h his visitor for the show OF good will, bu
o asserted positively his intention OF keel
4 ing up the search.
!. Not many days after the visit just n
II corded Harold, while prospecting on tn
/. top OF hill, was sure his rod gave ind
cations OF mineral deposit All I
4 tremble he tried the spot n second tim
Il Yes, he was sure, the rod dipped TO tn
earth. He marked the place and creI
4 etealthily away. Seeking his sister Il
:. told her that the treasure was fount
. At nightfall they would go forth an
: bring IL home.
; Armed with pick and shovel, the
- stole warily out through the darkness
+ casting furtiye glances about them
N make sure they were not Walcutu'
last they stood above the precious spo
n Harold pushed aside the dead leaves an
grass and began 20 dig away the mello
n earth Deeper and wider grew the e.
cayation; fainter and fainter throbbC
. their hopes; lower and lower waned Il
!, moon, until the delivers stood pale an
! faint in the gray Of morn.
III.
That evening Harold and his sist
: sat moodily in the room in which the
:, father had died. They had alwa,
! avoided the room, and now they we
! dered az their presence in il. Son
strange fascination was upon theI
!, They were growing morbidly supersi
- tlous OF late. 4 candle sputtered on