Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-06-09

| you until my prophecy has come TO
pass. Do you promise me, my boy7''
IL do, grandfather" said John, who
was deeply affected. you have been
so good"
Never mind, my boy; thank God,
rot me. Goodbye, John-God bless
you'll"
The first drops Of the storm pat
tered on the dusty roadway as the
old man raised his hands and gave
John his blessing. Springing into the
saddle, the boy caught one last
glimpse Of Peter Burt in a brilliant
fash of lightning which glorifed his
heroic figure, his white hair shining
as a halo above his brow.
II was four o'clock when he halted
at a small house on the outskirts Of
Plymouth. Years before, with Peter
Burt, he had visited the old sailor
who was spending there his declining
years. After repeated knocking, the
old man opened the door. John hand
ed him the letter and showed the
ring. He read the letter and heartily
greeted his guest.
Enough said, my boy" he de-
clared as he burned the letter. You'll
be as safe here as in Gods pocket.
Make yourself comfortable and I'll
stow away your horse"
When the old man returned he pre-
pared breakfast which John ate with
relish, and then his host showed him
to a bed which, though hard, seemed
the most delightful place he had
found in years. The sun was low
when John woke. The old sailor did
not betray the slightest curiosity con.
corning Johns journey, and at ten
o'clock his guest babe him farewell
with sincere thanks for his hospital
ity.
The night ride to New Bedford was
made without incident. 1t was three
o'clock when John knocked at Cap
tain Horizons door; and, much to his
surprise, that gruff old mariner was
up and dressed.
Come in! I've been expectin' YET"
he said as he opened the door. CHAD
to meet ye. joe" he said, turning
to a sleepy-eyed boy, take care of
this lads horse"
John secured the contents Of the
saddle.bags. and an hour later stepped
on board the Segregansett. Captain
Horton showed him his quarters and
advised him to turn in" He did so,
and when he awoke the heaving and
groaning of the old whaler told him
that she was on the open sea.
Not until the Segregansett had left
the Bermudas did John open the pack
age which had been given to him by
Peter Burt. 1t contained a long let
ter from the old man, describing a
spot in the California mountains, of
which a dying sailor had told him
years before. The poor fellow de-
clared that he had found a rich de.
post of gold, and that he was work.
ing his way back to Boston, hoping
to interest the necessary capital. In
Peter Burt's letter was enclosed a
rough map which the sailor had
sketched when he realized that death
stood in the way of his dreams Of
wealth.
There was also a parcel with an
outer covering of oilskin. John
unwrapped it and disclosed a large,
old.fashioned wallet, which he recog-
nized as having belonged to his grand.
father. In this wallet he found a
layer of United States Treasury notes
of large denominations. His fingers
tingled as he handled the notes. Ten
thousand dollars! Jessie seemed much
nearer as John booked at those bits Of
paper.
The scenes and incidents of that
eighteen thousand mile Journey
around Cape Horn are worthy of ex-
tended recital, but are not an essen
tial part of this narrative. One bright
afternoon the Segregansett sailed
into the harbor of Valparaiso, and a
week later John Burt was a passen.
ger on the steamer Reliance, bound
for San Francisco.
A thousand leagues away, Jessie
Garden treasured the secret of a SEN
sation strangely akin to newborn
love. On the walls of her classroom
was = large map, and she loved to
look at it and wonder what spot of
land or sea held John Burt.
ITO b continued)