The Holly chieftain., 1904-06-24

as John stood once more by the old
mans side. The rumble of thunder
told of the near approach of the tenn
pest.
John" said Peter Burt as he
grasped the boys hand in his. Il feel
no sorrow save the pain OF temper
ary parting. | shall see you again.
my boy; l shall clasp your hand in
the vigor of your manhood. when sue
cess has crowned your efforts, and
when your happiness is complete. Do
not write to me or attempt to com
municate with me, or with anyone,
until you are rich and strong enough
to meet your enemies on equal
ground. During these coming years
let money be your ambition. You live
in an age when money is the god of
the material world. Understanding
has been granted to you and when
you apply yourself to the struggle the
thrill of knowledge will pervade you.
You have received a ken of this
worlds affairs, SO that l can say to
you in the language of Isaiah: 4 will
give thee the treasures of darkness
and the hidden riches of secret
places Rest secure in that promise,
have abiding faith in it, and hold no
communication with those who love
you until my prophecy has come to
pass. Do you promise me. my boy?"
Il do, grandfather" said John, who
was deeply affected. You have been
SO good"
Never mind. my boy; thank God,
not me. Goodbye, John-God bless
you!"
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
flash of lightning which glorified his
heroic figure, his white hair shining
as a halo above his brow.
1t was four o'clock when he halted
| at 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 pro-
| pared breakfast which John ate with
| relish, and then his host showed him
| to 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-
cerning Johns journey, and at ten
O'Clock his guest bade 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. Glad
to meet ye. Joe he said, turning
to 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 hira
that she was on the open sea.
Not until the Segregansett had left
| the Bermudas did John open the pack
| Peter Burt. 1t contained a long let
ter from the old man, describing
| 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-
| posit 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 q
rough map which the sailor hal
| sketched when he realized that death
stood in the way of his dreams OF
wealth.
There was also parcel with an
outer covering of oilskin. John
unwrapped it and disclosed 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 looked at those bits Of