Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-07-23

tain seemed to have been scoopcd out.
II occurred to him hal a large mass
OF earth far above had slid down and
formed the dam on which lie stood.
Might not the lost wagon train have
been buried under this landslide!
The more he studied the conligura
lions about him the more he was con
WINGED that some cause. either clap
of thunder. snowsiidc or an earth
quake, had lOoSened the mountain side
and thrown Il down and across the
road Then hy riding back and forth
he traced the old road. noting its juno.
ton with later one both above and
below the dam While he was salts
fled that this avalanche Of earth might
have buried tie lost train he had no
hope that he would be able TO find any
vestige of man, beast or wagon with
out employing n host Of men 10 re
move the earth from the old road. n
part Of which was now covered with
water. But he could tell Elizabeth Of
his find and assure her OF his belief
that the wagon train had been buried
under the landslide.
lie argued that II those connected
with the train had seen the mountain
side coming they would run TO get onf'
Of its way. II they were nearer tht
upper side OF II they would run for
ward; II nearer the lower side they
would run backward. The upper side
now being lake. II could not be cx
amIned Mcrrywcather rode down TO
where the old road. striking the dam.
was DETECTED. 10 climb II by gradual
incline. DiSmounting. he tied his
horse 10 a sapling and began TO look
about him.
He searched goodSsShile. bending
down close TO the earth that he might
the better see anything unusual. His
search was fruitless. Mounting. he
rode to the nearest house TO remain
all night and In the morning bring
something TO dig with. That night II
rained and the next day and the next
till II seemed that an ocean was being
precIpitated Then II cleared. and
Merryweathcr. taking pick and a
shovel. went back TO continue his hunt
He found that the rain had washed
away portions of the dam. and It's side
was covered with little gullies. some of
them quite deep. He examined mum
Der OF these gullics. but found nothing
At the point where the road made the
turn to ascend the dam he put In his
pick. Presently its point struck some
thing that gave out the ring OF metal
Inserting the pick again. he threw oui
horseshoe.
Though elated with his find. he did
not consider !, by any means imror
tant but IL stimulated him to dig on
A root or something harder than the
earth under where the horseshoe had
been found next attracted his attcn
ton. lie dug around IL and exposed n
horses hoof and In few more strokes
the bones OF leg TO which the hoof
belonged
Eureka" he exclaimed The mys
terry OF the lost wagon train Is solved
He worked all day unearthng the
metal parts OF harness. gan barrels
bones Of human beings and horses. Al
last he struck the wheel OF wagon
Then he went away 10 announce his
find.
The news that the lost wagon train
had been found spread Merry weather
hired half dozen men 10 eXcavate.
but so great was the interest amont
the people that many Of them dug
on their own account. some doubtless
hoping To find articles Of value. II
was apparou' that the train had been
turned suddenly and headed down the
canyon. Some Of the wagons had
not been completely reversed before
they were buried
Among the articles recovered was
an iron box. Merryweaiher took pos
session of It. opened IL and found that
IL belonged 10 Edward Earle II cou
tanned several hundred dollars In
gold aud number Of papers.
Some OF the papers were deeds TO
property IN the region 10 which the
caravan was goiug-a region where
gold had then been recently discov-
cred Mcrrywca;hrr. after the ey-
cavatlons were concluded. rode on
10 what had been the destination 81
the train The nucarfhcd papers all
belonged 10 Elizabeth Earle. and IL
was his purpose 10 transact for her
any business that might be necessary.
He found conditions that he was snre
would make great change In the
girl he loved.
One evening Elizabeth heard foot
step IN the hall. aud moment later
she was clasped IN the strong arms
Of Henry Merry weather.
"The mystery is solved. sweet.
hearth he exclaimed
He led her 10 q sofa and gave her
an account Of his efforts and their
outcome And now" he continued.
ssfharo IL uawG infrinSicallV of far