Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-12-16
SHEBA

sort of inviting joviality amidst the
wavelets of the river. The sturdy
young surveyor noted that a blob OF
red sealing wax held the cork and
that a narrow red ribbon dangled
from the neck He saw that il con.
tanned a bit of folded paper and
promptly shattered the glass on a
rock. No water had reached the pa
per, on which he found these words,
written in handwriting that rambled
between the skyscraper letters of
maiden and the cramped scrawl of
boy:
I'm a jewel worth more than the
diamond mines of King Solomon.
Beneath the big red rock under the
sycamore tree you will learn more"
First time | ever knew Solomon
was in the diamond business, com.
mented the young fellow
This rock jutted out among the
lesser ones further along the river
bank and the surveyor was soon peer
ing intently into a cavity worn be-
meath it by the frequently rising wa
ters. The young man pulled out
gilded pasteboard box that once had
held bonbons. A red ribbon was
wound around il.
More ribbon" commented the sur
veyor, as he raised the lid Within
was a small sheet of paper. 1t read:
The queen of Sheba was beautiful,
and still Sheba is beautiful. Seek We
the cave of the woodchuck, where the
rock and the bridge meet"
Now, what the dickens is all this
about, anyway queried the surveyor,
with a show of eagerness. AT any
rate, know where the rock and the
bridge meet But I'm not sure of
the cave of the woodchuck."
The woodchuck cave proved TO be
another cavity beneath a bullying
bowlder at the bridge, and in il he
found another bonbon box with the in.
evitable red ribbon, and in the box
this time the note read:
Solomon could solve riddles-can
you solve them. too? Come where
the apple blossoms bloom in the or.
chard beyond the hill"
Now, it's apple blossoms" com.
mented the surveyor, becoming still
more curious We'll, there's the hill,
but I'm not sure of the orchard" The
hill was soon climbed, and in the vale
below spread out a great glory OF
blooming apple trees. With elaborate.
ly assumed unconcern the young man
descended to the orchard. The CLINT
of white dress flashed between the
somber trunks of the low trees, and,
hat in hand and heart unsettled, the
surveyor walked heroically toward
the white dress. Suddenly he paused
and muttered excitedly: It's Sheba.
all right; only finer. | guess"
Then he bowed low to the white
dress, above which radiant face
smiled, and he said: Il beg your
pardon. but I'm just strolling through
your orchard. I hope I'm not in the
way"
Why, you're quite welcome. These
blossoms are beautiful, don't you
Think"
"A fit bower for Queen Sheba, in.
deed"
Sir"
"Oh. beg your pardon again. I
meant to say, like you, that these
blossoms are fine. Sos the day: SOS
the diamonds; SOS King Solomon"
The girl looked mystified and
startled for a moment, and then after
gazing more intently at the young
fellows face, broke into merry
laugh and said: "Oh, aren't you one
of the gentlemen fixing up things for
the new railroad across my fathers
farm?"
Now, it's pot in the nature of things,
nor in the things of nature, for two
handsome. buoyant young folks OF the
opposite sex to talk gayly together
without becoming we'll acquainted.
and soon the surveyor and Sheba
were on chatty terms, indeed Then
days later, time and time again. he
called at the home of Farmer Handler
son. and at last one evening after q
memorable but triumphant interview
with the farmer. he sat with Sheba
and her solemn-faced brother on the
big porch. And for the first time he
asked: "Sheba, what was your ro-
mantle scheme in connection with the
beribboned bottle, the diamond mines
of Solomon, Queen Sheba and the
cave of the woodchuck?"
Why, indeed. ] don't know what
you mean-what you are talking
about" replied Sheba, bewildered.
II do" said the solemn.lookink
young brother. in solemn tones. II
do. worked up that scheme all about
my own sweetheart"
And where is your sweetheart
dreamer?" asked the surveyor.
She lives far up in those golden
clouds" answered the solemn faced
hrNthar