The Forrest City times., 1904-01-22
A HIDDEN
TREASURE
Copyright, 1908. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
BY j. c. PLUMMER

Copyright, 1908. by Daily Story Pub. Col
TIL never do to let Sam know that 7
l am rich," soliloquized Capt Job
Travers, as he neared Biddeford on a
visit to his old shipmate, Sam Stubs. /
Sam would either envy me or hate me .
for my luck, and want to enjoy Sam
nat'ral.
Capt Sam Stubs had retired from the I
sea at the pressing invitation of various /
ship owners, who dreaded the continued I
bad luck that followed the unfortunate
mariner and, a soured, disappointed |
man, Capt. Stubs had retired to a small I
home near Biddeford, where he lived |
with his daughter on very meager in
come.
I'm glad | thought about keeping
mum about my luck" muttered Capt.
Travers, as the one-hinged gate groaned
a protest to being opened, and the rot
ten porch step tried to trip him. Hes
poor as rat. is Sam. and he'd hate me
on account of my luck"
Capt. Travers, after years of voyagns
along the Atlantic coast at small sal
airy, had fallen in with a derelict, and
the salvage had amounted to $1,000.
The weather-beaten face of Sam
Stubs just lightened trifie as he shook
the hand of his old shipmate, and he
asked, gloomily:
Schooner at Biddeford?"
NO. Sam; I've no schooner right
now"
Lose her." asked Stubs with CLINT
of joy in his eyes.
No; just quit the sea for awhile"
Amt made your fortin', have your
and the corners of Sans mouth drew
down as he asked the question.
Lord, no; poor as ever, Sam lied
Capt. Travers.
Capt Travers was much taken with
Nicely Stubs. his friends daughter, and
his heart ached as he noted her shabby
dress.
Il wish Sam wasn't such a crooked
old stick, he muttered to himself. I'D
like to give that girl present"
During the talk after supper the
bright face of the girl and her CHEEKY
laugh contrasted so strongly with the
croaking pessimism of her father that
Capt Travers determined at all hazards
TO make her substantial present dur
ing his stay as soon as the means of do
ing so, without it being attributed TO
him. was discovered.
Capt Stubs showed his guest to the
hest room. and remarked that the room
adjoining was occupied by his daughter
Miss Nicely had not come upstairs Capt
Travers ventured to take a peep into
Meely's room. A few cheap pictures
hung on the wall and a tawdry vase stood
on the mantel piece.
Poor girl" sighed the captain but
just then his eyes fell on the bureau, and
an inspiration swept over him. He
stepped quickly to the bureau. picked up
Bible that lay thereon and slipped a
500 note within it's pages. Then in a
glow of bushes at having been within
the sacred precincts of young lady's
bedroom, the captain hurried back to his
apartment and went to bed.
She'll open the good book" he muir
INJURED, land FIND the money" and
deed, he fell asleep.
Evidently Miss Nicely did not consult
the Scriptures that night, for she gave
no indications OF fortunate find the
next morning. but Capt Travers bided
his time, and after rather doleful day.
owing TO the lamentations of Capt.
Stubs. Miss Nicely put on her shawl at
nightfall, preparatory to going out.
TOO dark for you TO 60 proclaimed
her father An my rheumatic is too
bad for me to go with you"
Il must CO." said the girl. 81 must see
Miss Mfin tonight"
III go with you" exclaimed Capt.
Travers, getting eagerly on his feet.
Il am going" said Miss Nicely. as they
walked towards the town, Ito return
Bible to Miss Miffin. | borrowed ii last
Sunday, and | must return il.
Capt Travers' blood chilled.
"As | passed your room last night"
he said, nervously, Il saw book on
your bureau. suppose that was it"
That was il" replied the girl. And
Capt. Traver's heart sank. His hundred
UOildi niue NoS gums W q NoAhaH He
old not even know. and who probably
did not need it. The money must be re-
covered.
Let me carry the book for you," said
he.
Revolving the widest schemes from
burglary TO arson. the captain walked
silently alongside of his companion I'M
Ill Miss Mffin's house was reached, and
then his hopes fell TO zero. for the spin
ster placed the Bible on a chest OF draw