The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-02
THE MISSING GOLD,
81 MILpRsp PEAnopY.

by MILDRED PEABODY
eCopyright. lsO0. by American Press Assoc
ciation.l
When the Klondike gold fever broke
cut one who caught the disease was a
San Francisco boy, Ben Hathaway,
and la bis case It was development
OF previous eompiaint-love. He
wished TO marry his sweetheart, Jen-
nile Baxter. but since he had no fortune
Jennies father wouldn't listen 10 bis
suit. The couple were both TOO sensi-
BILE to run away to a life OF poverty.
30 they agreed to separate till Ben had
accumulated enough on which to at
least begin housekeeping. Hearing OF
the new found gold nolds he decided to
try his luck in them.
Ben spent year In the Klondike
prospecting, which for him meant
rags and starvation Then one day
while working alone with his pick he
struck a rich vein. But how get the
benefit OF III There was then little
capital in Alaska; besidess he dared
not trust any one there with bis secret.
His sole possessions were the rags
that covered him. 81 cents, pipe and
few ounces of tobacco. However. be
resolved to start on foot for San Fran
cisco.
On the way to the coast Ben fell In
with man who was going to San
Francisco with 800 pounds Of gold
dust. Suspecting that be was being
followed with view to robbery, in
order to throw his pursuers OF the
track be transferred the boxes to Ben.
furnishing him the means for bis own
n and the COLDS transportation. Ben
gladly accepted the charge. He and
the owner Of the dust travelled by the
same route, though separately, to San
Francisco.
When Ben turned over the treasure
1t was weighed and instead Of pulling
n kdown 400 pounds 1t pulled only 800.
~ mound Of gold dust had disappeared
I.l. = had been so packed that it was not
lslossible any leakage could have oc-
irred. Ben, instead Of being permit
Ii to hurry to bis sweetheart to re-
BRIT his and In Alaska, was arrested,
/ 6arged with theft and thrown into
HI.
\ Jennie went 20 see him and, when he
assured her that he was innocent. be-
lieved him. She begged her fnther to
furnish the means for her lovers de-
Tense, and he, to crafty bis daughter.
Old so. though there was not the slight
est hope Of an acquittal. A young law
yer was engaged who. upon consulta-
ton with his client, becoming convinc-
ed of his innocence, took deep inter
est In the case His curiosity was ex-
cited. How could pound OF gold be
extracted from box strongly nailed
together and under Ben's eye every
moment and under the eye of its own
er nearly all the while. II was the
mystery In the ease that excited the
attorneys chief interest.
At the trial great deal of sympathy
was excited by Jennie Baxter, who
was present and eagerly caught al
every word spoken for or against her
lovers innocence. The prosecution
brought in evidence which. uncontra-
dicted. must surely convict the prison
er. 1t was simply certificate Of the
weight OF the dust in Alaska when
turned over to Ben's keeplng and q
Hike certificate Of weigher In San
Il snaisco.
The only hope for Ben seemed to be
in his attorney proving bis previous
good character and the mercy Of the
court. When bis attorney arose e
speak In bis clients defense every eye
was directed toward him. curious tc
learn If there were any possible de
tense other than that mentioned good
character. What was the surprise Of
every one when, instead of introducing
any such evidence. the attorney asked
81 1.-THE Judge for permission to put on the
N stand teacher OF physics as an expert
81 witness.
~ cannot see said the judge, "any
xelation between physics and theft and
must refuse tho
Something in the expression Of tbs
snttorney altered the courts intention
aud he finished the sentence by admit
f ting the witness.
with what does physics deal71 ask
ed the lawyer.
# aThe laws Of nature n
an the revolution Of the earth what
kwo principal forces are at work."
sGravity and the centrifugal"
n 4 object Interrupted the prescott
u ing attorney, ito taking up the time o.
& the court with such irrelevant matter.