Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-11-26

She went home and taking hoe and
an Ak hurried toward the still.
1t was not large rock that stood
near the entrance to Mat Dixon's still.
Its situation rather than its size
served to conceal its entrance. 1t stood
where the mountain side was extreme
ly steep and where mass of bushes
and vines made the place difficult of
access. When Bess had reached this
place. she calculated well the task
before her She dug the earth away
from about the rock. She felled a
small oak. near by, Of which she made
a strong lever. Using piece of the
fallen oak for a bait. over which to
pry. she placed the lever and, with a
strenuous effort, pryed the rock from
its place and 1t went crashing down
the mountain side. Mat Dixon saw
this from a place higher up the noun
tain.
Hi, Bess! What are you doing!
What is the matter, gal? Have you
done gone crazy?" he cried. as he
fastened to her, followed by Tom Saw.
age.
She did not heed them. Se1zlng the
hoe, she furiously dug ie-o the sides
of the cavity where the rock had stood
and soon unearthed rusty canteen
With an exultant cry. she seized 1t and
tore it open. Then. as though just
c.,tl Il
| cried:
See, pa. Gold"
Mat Dixon eagerly seized the can
teen, poured its yellow contents upon
the ground and began counting the
money. There were twelve hundred
and thirty eight dollars. and a small
good watch, on the inner case OF
which was engraved, Emily II. Dix
on" A card bearing the words
George Hedges, Thirty fourth Ohio.
was also found with the money.
Bess told her father about Arthur
Hedges, and also the story of her love
Then, producing the chart, she told
him the story that Hedges had told
her at Poll Wingate's cabin. How
| Hedges father, a Union soldier, had
found a considerable sum of money
on deserted plantation, near which
| there had recently been a battle. how
| he had carried the treasure about fol
long time, but had finally buried II
mountain in West Virginia, intending
to return for it at the close Of the
war, having made chart by which
| he could find the place. How he had
from time to time put off coming
after the gold and, at the time Of his
death, had revealed the secret to his
son, who subsequently ventured into
the mountains to locate the buried
money by the aid of the chart. how
this son had met her. and, reluctant
ing the money and had been seized or
suspicion Of being raider.
Mat Dixon apparently took no heet
of his daughters words, but sat star
ing blankly at the yellow mass before
him. Finally he gathered it up.
Take this home," he said to the
girl. then turning to Savage he said
Fetch that man to my house."
"Ye're not goin' ter let him go, are
| We" asked Savage.
what is that to you?" fiercely de
| manded Dixon. do as l say" anC
| Tom Savage knew him too we'll to dis
| obey.
When Arthur Hedges reached Dix
| on's house he was ushered into a room
where Dixon was waiting to receive
him. Their conference was long, Du
Arthur's eyes glowed when he came
out of that room.
"Well, madam, you have found youl
money, at last. Let me congratulate
you" he said to Emily.
And you, sir she replied, ''yor
Il have found the dearest, sweetest
girl in all the world for a wife" he
! said. throwing an arm around Bess
Saved, sweetheart, saved by YOU ht
whispered placing Il kiss upon hel
| forehead.
and l." said Mat Dixon, ''havt
found new purpose in life. No more
stilling for me. We will leave this
wilderness. where have been hunted
like. a beast. Somewhere in old Vir
ginia we will build us home and be
gin life w."-Waverey Magazine.