Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-08-08
NUMBER 80

iron had been barred, Re began to shove
the earth with his heels.
Il was not long before he uncovered
the top Of an oblong sheet iron box or
trunk about three feet long by two
feet wide. Ecooping the earth away
from before the lock, he looked about
for a stone with which to break It
open; but. testing. 1t, he found that It
was not locked. Lifting the cover, he
saw a sight that surprised him. Low
ering the lid, he kicked the dirt over It
again and, making his way out Of tho
hole, went back to his place among
those discharged men waiting for
transportation.
What he had found in the box was
the valuables usually contained in the
home of rich man. Such as were not
too bulky to go into the limited space
had eventually been hurriedly placed
there.
Keeping his secret, George the next
day borrowed needle and thread and
remnants Of cloth and began to mako
pockets In his garments, though they
were rather bags. When night came
he returned to the hole and, uncovering
the box, removed much Of the con-
tents, which he placed in his pockets.
He did not need a light; the sense OF
touch was quite enough. he could
only take the smaller articles, the 9th
ers being too bulky. He had brought
a shovel with him, and when he closed
the box he put a couple Of feet OF
earth on its top.
One day Ellen Barry was washing the
breakfast dishes when, looking out
through the window beside her, she
saw a man coming in at the gate. he
was well dressed, one sleeve being PIN
ned to his coat front When he came
nearer she recognized her lover. Run
ming to the door. she threw her arms
about his neck, while he embraced her
with his single arm.
"Oh, Georgew she exclaimed rueful-
ly, looking at the empty sleeve.
"I've got something for It," he said
"Come into the house and I'll tell you
all about It."
When he had told her what has been
thus far recounted he continued:
when l opened the box saw at
once that some one, doubtless in view
Of an army coming, had put the family
valuables in It and, taking It to the
base Of the tree from which I was
picking off Germans, had buried It
there, intending to recover 1t after the
war. There was gold plate and loose
Jewels. On my second visit took the
Jewels, leaving the gold plate. The
owner had buried his treasure FIVE feet
under ground, not dreaming that It
would be uncovered by bursting shell
'aThe Jewels ]. have brought back
with me, only having turned into cash
those needed for expenses. I doubt II
they are more than a fraction In value
Of what remains In the box. When the
war ends I shall return to France and
see If I can find the owner, though !
doubt It, and make a return OF his
property. I shall expect a reward large
enough to enable you and me to be
married and set up housekeeping with
out risk. have had the jewels valued,
and they have been pronounced for
tune in themselves. Whatever we need
while the war lasts will come from
the sale Of such articles as will produce
the required amount"
Ellen approved Of her lovers way Of
looking at It They we're married and
set up q small store. Their little home
and their business are all they 70
quire to make them content, for 1t 10
not great possessions that bring happi-
ness-indeed, quite frequently such
sudden visits Of fortune destroy hap
piness. Besides, to the couple falls
measure Of comfort that they are ap-
propriating from the treasure acci'
dentally found only what the owner
should have given them for their stew.
ardship. For George argues that had
he not covered the box containing the
treasure it would have likely been dis.
covered and looted.
George Is looking forward to the day
when the war will be ended and he
will 20 to France to make settlement
He and Ellen often wonder whether
the box will be there. Likely this de-
pends upon whether another shell Will
expose 1t. When either side attempts
to demolish its enemy's trenches 1t
hurls so many explosives that should
the location Of the treasure be bonn
barded It is quite likely that Its con-
tents will be scattered to the winds
Recently a correspondent sent to Q
London newspaper an account OF the
finding, after q battle which took place
on. the English. German lines, Of scat
tered articles of great value. They
were picked up by British soldiers and
appropriated by them. Some Of them
were purchased from the men BY ON
GERS. This looks as If another shell had
burst near the treasure box and blown
the contents over the battlefield. De-
spite George Elliott's honesty. It u
doubtful II he will ever be able %
make return Of his find.