Evening journal., 1910-01-28
Old Man Cooper s
Secret Treasure

''Oh. for q square meall" Joseph
Batchford tightened his belt another
hole. The hungry man became con-
Hcious that he was being followed.
and turned to confront q wiSensd old
man.
do you wish to speak 70 me. airf"
you look hungry" said the old
man. Perhaps a steak and potatoea,"
suggested the old man. Your voice
is like his, and your laugh"
"All right. Epicurus," said Joe,
I'm certainly agreeable, but whose
voice and laugh is like minef /
thought was too hungry 70 have a
recognizable voice and my laugh
must be sadly warped" pf
The old man said little more, but
watched with apparent rapture Jo-
asph'B feat OF placing within him two
big steaks. Then said the old man;
Would you mind telling me some
thing about yourselff"
Sure" said joe, ''it's easy enough.
sister and were left orphans years
ago. An old lady took charge Of
Mamie / went 70 Australia, cleared
UP about $4,000; got homesick. The
ship was wrecked. and my pile is
somewhere on the bottom OF the Pa
cifc. I landed broke; can't find any
trace OF Mainland, 80 there you
are"
You are tho person want" said
the old man. you can make AN
other $4,000 tonight In half an hour.
NY name is Carleton Crane. am
confidential man for Cornelius Coop.
ar. He 10 dying. All that keeps him
alive is that he doesn't want 70 die
until ne has revealed a secret Five
years ago he Quarrelsd with his son
Tristan. The latter had married
against his fathers wishes.
During the travels Of Cornelius
Cooper. my employer, be obtained in.
formation Of a hidden treasure. He
found it--a marvellous collection Of
Jewels. l saw them whom he re-
turned. Where he has hidden them
no one knows but himself. He has
forgiven Tristan, but Tristan has dis
appeared II the old man dies before
Tristan turns up. the secret dies with
him. Your voice and laugh are very
like Tristan Cooper's."
Joe Batchford looked at the old
man. comprehending
TT is I who should ask forgiveness.
father"
The sightless eyes of Cornelius
Cooper we're turned on Joseph Batch
ford. you are not my son. instinct
tells me" he said This is a scheme
OF old Crane"
You're right" said joe: the fact
is. I'm In hard lines. but II succeed.
cd in getting that secret treasure OF
yours intended to give the old
schemer the go-by, look up your son
and know he would make II right
I'm honest. Just in hard luck. that's
all"
The old man for some time re
NAMED in thought Somehow. be
ieve you" he said. Your voice hAi
an honest. ring: It is much like thu
voice Of Tristan. Far better, at an,
rate, for you to know the secret thar
that old migrate. Look under the mat
tress; take that envelope; n directs
you to where I have hidden the Jew
els-try and End Tristan-bs a good
honest boy--it Is always better
and"
The old mans voice sunk, his heat
turned over on the pillow. and he haS
gone TO the bourne beyond
Outside Carleton Crane awaited
"Hsve you got it?" he asked. fever
ishly.
You bet" said Joseph Batchford
"and I'm going to keep IT, It's a se
cret." and he left Carleton Gran,
standing dumfounded.
The envelope contained these in
structions:
''Tendril house. cellar known a.
Monks, fourth fagstone to right
Open. Ladder is feet. Passage. I'm,
of passage iron door, spring lock. G,
down is feet Iron chest. Low tid
dry. high tide full"
Batchford went at low tide. Th
hidden gems we're his. He ADVERTISE
= for the whereabouts OF Tristan Coor
er. It was long before he receiver
any tidings, but one day a man an
nounced himself: Il am Tristai
Cooper: for long have been isolated
confined 70 bed. under the care Of M
wife. IN a remote mining camp.
heard OF your advertisement by acc
. dent. Why have you sought m
. whereabouts"
Batchford told him the story in full
II promised your father 7 would d
all possible to fnd you"
! you must share with me, Batei
ford" said Cooper, "and, anothe
thing: Your name-Batchford-
{ woman who nursed me back 10 lif,
, her name was Batchford, Mani
Batchford. Did you ever know Of on
: suoh7"
Did II" shouted Joe. why, maj
where is she?"
Right here" responded a voic
from the doorway. "Oh, Joe,
thought had lost you forever"
a AS the two stood in rapturous en-
! brace. Tristan looked at them, tear
: IN his eyes. This has certainly bee
= lucky strike for all of us-but
s wish poor dad was here 10 share 1
4 the happiness" he said.
/. Powerful Explosive.