d thus in a group, Howe drew thither also, to
ascertain what they had found.

"A grave," said he, "ah! poor fellow, he sleeps well in his prairie
bed."

"Here is a name cut in this bit of board at the head, uncle, but it is
done so badly I can't make it out," said Martin.

"Let me try," said Howe; "it is plain enough, sure."

"JOSHUA CRANE
"DIED
"OCT. 20, 1834, AGED 27."

"Now, children, would you like to see Mr. Joshua?" said Howe.

"Why, uncle," said they, "how can you make light of such a thing?"

"I am in earnest; for, from various indications about it, I am of
opinion that he is a curious fellow."

Anne, with a tear in her eye, cast a reproachful look towards her
uncle, while the rest were too much surprised to do anything but stare
at him in wonder.

"Bring me a crowbar and shovel, Edward. I find I must convince these
little doubters that I am really in my senses."

"Oh, uncle!" said Jane, "you could not have the heart to disturb the
dead!"

"Bless me, child, who thinks of disturbing the dead; I am only going to
show you what a funny fellow Joshua is. Now," said he, raising the
crowbar, "if Joshua is sleeping here, this iron cannot reach him; but,
if as I suspect, why, then, you see"--and down went the crowbar in the
loose earth. "Now give me the shovel," said he, and commenced removing
the dirt, the children looking on in astonishment. He soon brought to
the surface, and rolled on the grass a _barrel of brandy_. The broad
lonely prairie fairly resounded to the shouts and laughter of the
children, as they danced about the barrel; Howe standing by enjoying a
deep ha! ha! peculiarly his own.

"What a curiosity, Joshua is! Who would have thought of finding such a
thing there?"

"It is a rare thing, I own," said Howe, "yet occasionally resorted to
when oxen have given out, or died. Sometimes wagons have been
over-loaded, and then unable to make their way over the rough roads,
some heavy article is taken and buried with all the signs of a grave
about it, to prevent its being disturbed and stolen, as in the present
instance. Probably the owner will be along here for it, or sell it to
some one who will come for it in course of the summer."

"Will you leave it here, or bury it again?"

"The prize is mine; I shall carry it along with me," said Howe.

"That would not be right," rejoined Martin. "It is another man's
property."

"Which he forfeited by false pretences. No, ch