Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-05-20
TREASURE-TROVE.
nY S. BARRING GOULD.

BY S. Barring GOULD.
The forest of Dartmoor is surround
cd on every side by wide stretches of
moorland that belong TO the several
contiguous parishes, and every house
holder in each of these parishes claims
rights on the common of his parish,
over which, moreover, the immortal
lord asserts paramount authority, and
enforces it when he can. The duchy
of Cornwall, however, to which the
forest belongs, processes sort of SOW
ereignty over all these commons.
Now, there lived in the parish OF
South Tawton, in the curious old viii
lage of Zeal, where every house is an
archaeological curiosity, and every
householder is independents poor
young man of the name of Josiah Day,
commonly known rs young Rainy Day.
The nickname was acquired by him
through his excessive caution. AS the
slothful man, according to Solomon,
excuses himself from doing anything
and going anywhere, by saying: There
is q lion in the street." so did Josiah
Day shirll venturing on any undertake
ing, or investing small earnings in any
speculation, to which the risk of loss
adhered, on the plea that he must look
out for and provide against rainy
day.
Joe was not lazy man, yet his eX-
aggerated prudence led to much the
same results as inertness-he let slip
opportunities that could never recur,
ard which went to benefit men less
able, honest and Industrious than him
self.
1t sometimes happens that plums
drop into the mouths of those who
stand gaping at the clouds. All they
then have to do is to close their mouths
on the plums and to make the most of
them.
Such d plum dropped into the mouth
of Josiah one Christmas Eve. He did,
indeed, snap his jaws on it-but that
was all.
He was working on the common,
cutting up granite blocks, wherewith
to construct new take" wall. 1t is
the opinion OF every householder in 4
Parish that has commons that he has
a right to as much open ground as he
can inclose-subjcct, if enforced, to a
payment to the lord of the manor, and
thenceforth his own in perpetuity.
Whilst thus engaged Joe came on 4
"barrow" or cairn of small stones. lie
cleared away these as too small 10
serve his purpose, and discovered be-
Meath them granite slab. This he
levered aside, without much difficulty,
and TO his surprise discovered stone
cist or coffin constructed of rude blocks.
He crept in, and was still further sur
prised when he found within pot con-
tanning charred bones and ashes, and
near it cup of yellow metal, and some
rings and hoops, some weighing siX'
others ten and fifteen ounces apiece
He hastily scrambled forth, and as
the setting sun cleaned out, he exam
med his find by its light. lie rubbed
the cup and the rings on his sleeve, and
''By gingerl" said he, "if it amt all
solid gold. Come! I'm in luck's way
This. shall stand over against q rainy
day."
81 wasn't called young Rainy Day
for nothing" said he. I'll put it all
back again where I found it, and there
it shall remain till 1 have real occasion
TO lift it,"
So the young man replaced the COW
ering block, then heaped the small
stones and earth over 1T and disguised
the fact that the place had been dis
turbed.
lie returned home very satisfied with
himself and with his prospects. Now
he could look forward without blinking
to the inevitable rainy day. AT pres
ent he had health, strength and youth.
and with these he could earn his liveli'
hood. But" as Jos put it, Il can't
reckon on these lasting. l knows sew
eral young chaps as has had colds set
tied on their chestesses, and have died
of a decline. And Tom Endicott, he
dislocated his hip, and now can't hob
bic up on to the moor after granite
no more; and as to old age and de-
crepitude-theres no denying it, every
day and hour and minute brings me
higher to it."
Accordingly, Jos went on breaking
up stone and inclosing, and instructive
" he extended his new take" wall IN
the direction of the cairn and stone
chest that obtained his treasure.
On the verge of the moor, on the con-
fines of culture, lived girl named Mary
Agcett, with her bedridden mother
She made a livelihood out of plovers
eggs, which she collected and sold, out
OF some poultry she kept, out of flint
arrow heads, which, by searching, she
found on the moor, and which she dis
posed of to an archaeologist. She also
did some needlework and went out char
ring.
Jos passed the cottage twice daily
on his way out and on his way home
and very frequently he saw Mary at her
door, or she was searching on the moor
near where he worked, Gnd they never
met without exchange of SITUATIONS.
On one occasion, when overtal;en by
hailstorm, he had been invited into the
cottage, and had been given cup OF
tea that warmed his heart as If it had
been peppermint, and got into his head
as if it had been whisky.
One day when they met on the moor
the northeast blast was so cutting that
they retired together under shelter OF
rock to eat together their lunch OF
cold pasty. Considering how cold the
weather was, Jos put his arm round Pol
ly, and, having an overcoat, he threw
one arm of it over her shoulder.
The ensuing night was one of sore
temptation to Jos. He tossed on his
bed. He could not sleep. He sailed
very early from his house and went to
the moor, resolved to raise his treasure,
dispose Of it, dare fortune and marry.