The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-05-03

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risk plowing the land and take his
pay in precarious future crops.
Sam Philbln pondered on all these
things before he lifted crafty eyes to
Ions innocent countenance.
"What'd Captain Kidd bury his STUFF
away up in your pasture forY he
asked
Search me-" responded Lon cheer
fully. "All i know is that an old lE-
dian gave me little map signed wi,s
Captain Kidd's name showing that
he'd planted an lronbound chest OF
gold and silver coins in about the mid
die of my south pasture. | don't mind
telling you, Sam, that I'm going to
dig for it, only please don't tell any
body else"
Don't you worry about me-" retort-
ed Sam, with grim smile. Il wish
you luck, Lou! When you find it let
me know and I'll treat We to some hard
cider."
Course I'll let you know first one"
promised Lon as he left the store with
his implements over his shoulder.
II don't mind turning a penny or
two, myself" pondered Sam Philbin,
when he was alone once more, "and,
moreover, l don't mind helping Lon
Barrett along in the slickest bit of
business he ever undertook! He de-
serves to be helped, only | shan't let
him know I'm in on the business just
YETI
Thereafter Mr.. Philbin might have
been seen in secret conclave with one
and another of the Little River men.
He always held these interviews with
one at time, and when the brief con
versation was concluded there usually
followed a brisk sale of shovels and
pickaxes.
After that, in the daytime. Alonzo
Barrett could have been observed
digging industriously in his south pas
ture, but at midnight, when Alonzo
was supposed to he fast asleep, other
forms bent over upturned earth in the
Barrett pasture, other hands Crubbed
greedily in the dry soil, and when
morning came there would be various
well spaded portions of the pasture to
greet Alonzo's twinkling eyes.
But he said nothing and appeared not
TO notice it, but gradually it came to
pass that sundry of his neighbors look
ed shamefaced at him and tried to
evade a greeting when they met him,
but Alonzo always had CHEEKY word
for each One-just as if he didn't know
that they were prowling around his
south pasture at night digging, digging
for the pirate gold supposed to be hid
den there.
OF course Sam Philbin had told the
secret-AlonZo could hardly expect
otherwise.
Sam Philbin enjoyed an increase of
business. 1t seemed that the midnight
digging enhanced the appetites of the
treasure seekers, and it was noticeable
that the store sales increased in pro-
portion.
That story of pirate treasure was a
good thing all around 1t helped Phil
bins business. 1t drew the clandestine
diggers away from the idle gossip of
the village stores, and incidentally a
portion of the large south pasture had
very thorough digging over.
But there was no report of the find
ing of any treasure therein.
After three weeks diligent work the
pasture presented a changed appear
ance, for One-third Of the extent was
perforated and punctuated with holes
left untitled and mounds Of dirt.
About this time Alonzo's neighbors
began to look upon him more boldly
and with distinct dislike in their
glances. Incidentally they ceased their
nightly digging for treasure, and they
began to harbor dark suspicious that
there never had been any treasure
there.
The story of the Indian and Captain
Kidd's ancient map, which had been
carefully transmitted to one and an
other by the discreet" Samuel Phil
bin, was now believed to be hoax, but
they dared not openly accuse Alonzo Of
trickery, for he had not breathed a
word of his quest to one of them.
At Sam Philbin they openly glow
cred, while that successful merchant
SSNiSI'tiy anu dhONhCl
consignment of shovels and pickaXes.
One morning when the April sun lay
warm on the upturned sod of the south
pasture AlOnzo Barrett went into the
store
Il guess I'll have TO have half
dozen bags of that best fertilizer Of
yours, SAM" he remarked carelcssly
Want TO knowY" murmured Sam.
with sly wink Of his left eye. Guess
you're going to have a truck garden,
eh?"
well, it's this way" explained Alon-
20 innocently. you see, dug for that
there pirate gold and never come nigh
it; so, as I'd spaded up the ground
pretty well. thinks !, I'll jest put in
some garden seed and try a little truck
garden there. I'm going to borrow Hem
Frake's boss and harrow the plot over
tomorrow, and
Don't borrow from Hem Frake," in
terposed Sam hastily. "You can have
my horse and harrow and welcome.
Inn WHY tbaraiu cprnatbfpu so, ante