The Van Buren press., 1897-10-30

acres of land for money to pay taxes.
not daring to sell or rent. for fear their
treasure would full in other hands than
their own. Through the long years OF
foolish and profitless search it never oe-
curred to them, or, II il did, was not
acted on, that in the farm they had Il
fruitful and unfailing source of rev.
enue.
One day in early June, as Harold sat
en- the moss grown stoop, gazing dream-
ily out on the luxuriant and tangled un-
dergrowth, a peddler crossed the stile
aud labored slowly beneath pack along
the paved walk.
"Would you like to purchase divin-
ing rod9n he asked. placing his pack on
the ground. lie held out polished
metal rod that flashed brightly in the
sun.
"What is it for?" asked Harold. taking
the rod in his hand aud examining il
closely.
"ro find minerals; hidden treasure
geld and silver
li1ipAd 0tfNi00 dAN - NAtA az -
preston of interest flushed his listless
face.
'ITow Is 1t useds" he asked. striving
to restrain his curiosity
The peddler carefully explained the
manner of operating il. and again en-
phasized its occult power Of dlslnation.
"Have you sold many o. asked Harold.
Not near here" returned the trader.
have Just reached this section
"Name your lowest figure for The en-
tire lot" said Harold imnatieutlt, "and
promise not to sell any more in this
county, and IN buy them"
\ bargain was struck. The neddler
walked off. laughing in his sleeve over
the fine Sale, and Harold hurried with
his purchase to his sister. Their flag
glng hope and energies became again
eHasant.
u all hours they could be Sesa. rOds
in land. walking With ezrefui step and
bowed head around the plantation,
I MAS : strange. weird picture 10 So
tAe 1.-THE. slender wOgnsn and the tai.
s-aat fox1a az her brother Is they
rsssSAeSi Their way through the tangled
hsseSen. their eyes ever riveted en- The
ground Al their feet. Sneeter-like they
tlaserSei the summit u mound and
bill. Stalksd through field and pasture.
aast crept IN she silence and shadows Of
the woodland. Il was a sid sight to see
the twain At nightfah, exhausted with
their eeaSeleSs tramp, sit down sullen.
detected and disappointed to their mig
gardly meal in the gloom Of the old
house.
Intercourse with their neighbors had
almost ceased, and they were startled
one evening when they found them
selves face 10 face with one of their ia
TIERS old friends. The presence of any
person in the house seemed almost an
The visit was prompted by
n kindly feeling of interest, and their
visitor protested mildly but earnestly
against their course, He urged them to
stop their folly, refill the houses with
tenants and again cultivate their farms.
Harold listened respectfully, thanked |
Ills AISllOI IOl tic SllON Vi SOtNi W IL OuN
asserted positively his intention of keep
ing up the search.
Not many days after the visit just re-
corded Harold, while prospecting on the
top of hill was sure his rod gave indi-
,ations of a mineral deposit. All a
Iremble he tried the spot second time.
Yes, he was sure, the rod dipped to the
earth. He marked the place and crept |
stealthily away. Seeking his sister he
told her that the treasure was found. |
At nightfall they would go forth and |
bring it home.
Armed with pick and shovel, they
stole warily out through the darkness, |
casting furtive glances about them TO |
make sure they were not watched. At |
last they stood above the precious spot.
Harold pushed aside the dead leaves and |
grass and began to dig away the mellow
earth. Deeper and wider grew the ex-
cayation: fainter aud fainter throbbed |
their hopes; lower and lower waned the
moon. until the delivers stood pale and
faint in the gray OF morn