The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-01-13
xCont1nued.1

do Howard and Daniel bit of harm
to have that news spread all over the
civilized world. They VIII get the
cream Of it, anyway, for understand
they've got a long, detailed account
OF it,
Thereupon the merchant gave an
adroit version OF the matter, much to
the satisfaction Of the listener. who,
when he had heard the whole story,
fairly painted with excitement.
at is great, isn't it?' he cried. 81
heard about that buried gold when
was a little tot at my mothers knee.
And to think that it has come to light
at this late date!"
Yes, it is all right, guess, Tarp
said, with the faraway expression in
his eyes. 'fBut,. after all, it may not
be located. for no living man may be
able to unravel the letters painted on
the rock. I'd put them in my re-
sport in proper order, if was you It
win make the article more exciting.
Folks in this day and time are anx-
ious to get hold of any sort of a puz-
zIe. especially if there is something to
be made by it,
'.The Ietters-oh, forgot" Raymond
broke in "Of course ought to have
them. But how could / get hold off,
~Oh, you see, Frank, I took the trou-
bic to remember them,'s Tarp said, as
he drew slip of paper and a pencil
from his pocket and wrote in the palm
OF his hand Here they. are in due
order: ST. d. GA. G. NJ. e. s. MS.
d.
"Are you sure you got 'em right?"
frank asked as he carefully copied the
letters in his notebook. 81 wouldn't
make mistake for anything. This will
create a big sensation all over the
Z country
saThe letters are all right Tarp
wiped a slight, impulsive smile from his
lips They could stand for thou
sand things as well as. one and folks
are going to be badly mixed up as TO
the true meaning. BY the way, Frank.
while you wehe confabbing with Alb
and Howard did they happen to say
how they liked the-the-welI, the way
the article they got was-was shap-
ed upY
sThey didn't go into that part" The
face of the merchant was set in a
mask Of expectancy as the reply came.
ssBut If the style was not all it ought
to be-" Raymond added, @Howard could
shape it up. He knows how to scratch
out and write in, tell you. He writes
as smooth as goose grease on any topic
OF current interest
ssHe'H let that article stand as it
came IMP Tarp spoke without think,
Ting. ct mean-that is, judge from all
! accounts that the style of the report is
at the top notch-breezy, full of ginger.
It is of good length, too, I understand,
& and got up by writer that knows how
Ito sling ink if-if he does reside in the
sbackwoods.'
well, I'm much obliged to you, =.
ssL.; really am Frank said gratefully
as they parted in front of Tarp's estab-
1ishment. I'm going straight to the
telegraph Office. You bet I'll heat those
wires. I'll pile it in on them too. The
big dafIies don't mind paying for real
&news. They may wire me to go post
4 haste over there. If they do I'll get a
4 fast horse and make dash for the field
of action
The uext morning at 10 O'Clock the
NeH Clarion in great damp stacks was
Eefag folded, wrapped and addressed
D 'Ain't she a jim dandy!v sAbner ex-
cIafmed to Howard and Miss Lizzie
\ Swayre as he held the front page up
land eyed it with delight for the TWEEN
f$ieth time. "a body could read that
bur1ed treasure line across the public
square."
Half an hour later the paper was
be1ng sold on the streets, a thing which
Fhad never happened before in the his
tory of barley journalism. A negro
with a bell carried a banner on his
kshoulder bearing the words, written
Ew1th a marking brush dipped in lamp
black: Extra! Great News From ELK
town.
"A little white boy with an armful OF
fpapers, tin1d in his new occupation
was at his heels
Abner walked along the opposite side
Of the street, smile OF triumph on
This face.
''Ken out, tharI'' he ordered. 'What
did we tell you to say?" As he drew
near Tarp's store Abner saw the noer.
chant FASTING half a dozen of the front
pages of the paper on the outside of a
plate glass show window.
@Hey, what's this?' Abner asked, de.
lighted, as he paused, his hands in the
pockets Of his trousers, "Stea11n' ON
thunder. chr"
Yes" Tarp's eyes cleaned oddly
SIT is big piece of news, Uncle Alb. II
may shorten your sale on the street q
llttIe to have it stuck up for so many tt
read Tor nothing, Dut II VIII draw at
tention to the bargains in the window
Folks are bound to stop to look, and
my boys win invite 'em in
Have you read 1t clean through
Abner inquired.
Have L? Oh, yes, yes. WASH
too busy for that, and I'm here to state
uncle Alb, that 1t IS simply great
eyes, good piece o. news" Abne
/ agreed. Jest look down the street
I Thar is a bunch o. folks readin' it il
/ every store door an on every corner
Look! Thar goes a niger on ORA.
4 with his kinlzy head buried in it,
4 ut IS not only fine news. but-hu