Excerpts from The crater of gold : a mysterious manuscript

Preface

The author of the extravaganza, The Crater OF Gold, pictures nature as the teacher of truth, gives personal experiences in the struggle of life, advances scientific propositions and prophesies, theorizes on the science of government, and closes by holding out the Absolute Faith to all and a plea for the universal brotherhood of man. There is no intention to mislead or tear down, but to build, and establish the truth in its simplicity.

The Author.

Much of The Crater of Gold is drawn from actual events in life.

Many of the characters have not been allowed to talk as strong as did their prototypes and some have been choked out. Archy Umbrage was taken by the throat and choked till he was blue in the face, but he just would spit out what he had to say.

The Old Man of the Crater said much more than appears in this volume.

If any of the characters insult you, talk to them kindly and they will forgive you — for so they have been instructed.

The Crater of Gold, unhampered by parties, precedents or dogmas, is a warm range that turns out flapjacks of Truth hot from the griddle aimed at the inconsistencies of mankind.

The Publisher.

Table Of Contents

Page Pitiful Man _ _ . . 6

An Air-Castle - - 7

Freedom of the Seas --------- 47

Introduction to "The Crater of Gold"

"What is the matter, Mr. Zackley? You have ceased dictating for five minutes and have been staring at the ceihng."

"I was just thinking," said Mr. Z. to his steno.

"I hope you are not ill. I must say I fear you are in some difficulty and make free to offer my assistance if there is anything that I can do for

you."

To explain, this conversation took place in the real estate and loan office of K. Zackley & Co. at Glenden, California, 1917.

Though the office sign was K. Zackley & Co., and all business papers were signed K. Zackley & Co., no one had ever known how or why the "Co." was used, as K. Zackley was to all appearances the proprietor and sole owner of the business.

Miss Ainie Bonner had been the stenographer in this office for one year.

Though her stipulated wages were only $15 per week, Mr. Z., without explaining, had paid her $30 per week. Her father, Robert Bonner, came from Scotland some forty years back when a young man. He was successful in amassing a considerable fortune, but not until past forty did he think of marriage. A charming widow, Mrs. Richmond, a rehct of an army officer, struck his fancy and he built for her the palatial residence which is the home of Mrs. Bonner and her daughter.

When Ainie was a baby the question of a name for her became an all important problem to the Bonners. The baby must have a name. As usual Mr. Bonner, when deeply moved, fell back on the Scotch dialect.

"She's oor ain ainie wee tot — ain ainie. Mither, we name her Ainie."

"No one was ever named 'Ainie/ said Mrs. Bonner.

"That's just it, she is something new in this world and deserves a new name. Why handicap her with Mary, Jeanie, Anne or any such name that is the name of thousands. Let her name be Ainie, oor ain Ainie." said Mr. Bonner and so she was named Ainie Bonner.

Before the big war commenced, Mr. Bonner had a few thousand in loose change and a desire to make a haul before he died, caused him to attend a town lot sale in a new town in Canada. The town he selected had such a promise for the future that he had no doubt but what such an investment would win. He bought so many lots one-fourth down, the balance to be paid in three equal annual installments, that it became necessary for him to mortgage his home and all his property to secure money for subsequent payments.

The price of his lots in the new town at first advanced rapidly, which was very encouraging to Mr. Bonner to spare no exertion of his necessary to hold on to his lots until a great fortune was realized. The new town incurred much bonded indebtedness to build water works, sewers and street improvements, a financial flurry and the big war all combined to cause a slump in prices, and so many speculators who had taken on more than they could carry were compelled to throw their lots onto a falling market, that there was a total stagnation in the sale of their lots.

Mr. Bonner was unable to get the money for the last payments and his lots were taken from him. Now discouraged and heavily in debt, Mr. Bonner suffered as only those suffer who see ruin staring them in the face, and to add to the misfortune of this family, he took sick and died, pneumonia the doctors said, but the general verdict was that he died of a broken heart.

Mrs. Bonner was helpless with grief and unable to have any idea how they were ever to be able to live or save anything from the wreck. She worried more on account of Ainie's future than she regarded her own welfare.

Ainie investigated their affairs and found sufficient property to bring a yearly rental of $2,000, which was plastered with mortgages amounting to $25,000. This called for a yearly interest of $1,500. She had learned stenography and typewriting and resolved to get a job of work and possibly make a living and slowly pay off these mortgages. That is why we now find her at work in the office of K. Zackley & Co. at the time of the conversation noted at the beginning of this story.

K. Zackley was a quiet, strictly business man, rather fair complexion, jet black hair, dark grayish piercing eyes. He had an appearance of sagacity and business judgment superior to most men. He was of athletic build, over six feet in height and tipped the scales at nearly 200 pounds.

He might have been a favorite among the ladies, but he had disregarded society and attended to business, always business, living a bachelor life, rooming and boarding at the Glenden Hotel. He was nearly 35 and not egotistic enough to push himself into the notice of the ladies. The ladies had never appealed to him. They were too uncertain, too frivolous, too past understanding. He feared that intimacy with the fair sex might lead to complications, so he stuck strictly to his business.

But this young lady stenographer had shown him that there are women who are not frivolous, designing creatures, but that are as true as steel, kind hearted and ever desiring to do just what is right.

Ainie's gentle, honest eyes penetrated to his heart. Her kind treatment of old and young, rich and poor, with no pretentions of superiority, but just is if she were only one among many of suffering humanity, had convinced Mr. Z. that a good woman is a blessing to the world. He admitted to himself that he loved Ainie — no doubt of it — but he thought, "I am thirty-five, she is only tv/ent}^ She is beautiful, pure as the white snow. I cannot win her so I will never let her know, but an unseen hand will always be ready to assist if she is ever in need."

He was extremely reticent in regard to his business affairs, or his many acts of generosity. He never told any one about how much money he was worth or bragged about wonderful things which he had done. He was a heavy contributor to all charity funds. Many poor people had their rent paid by some hidden hand and no one knew whence the money came. Some of Ainie's renters had notified her that they could not pay, and must move, but no one had ever been compelled to move, the rent was always paid.

Ainie had become convinced that the hidden hand was no other than that of her employer. All this worked on her imagination. She had been treated so kindly and liberally by her employer that ere she was aware she confessed to herself, "I love Mr. Zackley, but I have no chance to win his love. He is above me and only treats me kindly as he is treating all poor people here in Glenden." She thought "I must not let him know that I love him and continue to make good in my work. He is a wonderful man. Time will tell."

So these two, man and woman, who loved each other with a love that was more than love, for it was reverence for each other, sat in the same office one year after Ainie had been forced to condescend to the onerous duties of a common stenographer in a real estate office.

"Oh, no, I am in no trouble," said Mr. Z., "except I — have made — a great discovery."

"Have you discovered something that will destroy the German submarines ?"

"No and yes. It may be the means, in time, that will put an end to all warfare if what I have discovered is true."

"It must be true if you have discovered it. Is it a secret or can you trust me?"

"That was just what I have been thinking about. What I have in mind I fear to tell any one. If what I have discovered is true, I will need much help. I know of no one I am more willing to trust than you, Ainie."

This confession caused Ainie's eyes to sparkle with a new-found joy — a fleeting impression that she, only his steno, might be the winner of this man's love.

"It is a long story, Ainie, I hardly know how to tell it, and it may be of no interest to you. What I do tell is in confidence that you will keep it as a profound secret."

Ainie's curiosity was getting the better of her, but she held down her impatience and settled back in her chair and assumed an air of strict attention.

Mr. Z. said: "To begin with, four years ago an old prospector came to the Glenden Hotel. He was ailing and soon became bedfast. I visited him in his room and saw to it that he was well

I — have made — a great discovery. — Page 12 supplied with nurses, doctors and delicacies. He was non-communicative but very considerate and thankful for the attentions that were given him.

"One day he sent for me and after being propped up on his pillows in almost a sitting posture he informed me that he did not expect to live long and that he was in need of some one whom he could trust, and that he had intuitively selected me to carry out his plans.

"The landlord and a notary were called in and this man made an acknowledged statement which turned over to me all his effects and named me to carry out all settlements of his sickness and funeral expenses. He wanted his body cremated and the ashes scattered upon the public lawn in order that the substance of his body would be returned to the economy of nature at once.

"When we were alone, he showed me a manuscript which he said contained important information. He said to preserve the original manuscript, for only in it would be found the information that would set the world free from debt, superstition, envy, unjust government, and foolish customs.

"The next day he passed away. I carried out his instructions to the letter. He had plenty of money on his person to pay all expenses and to spare.

"I brought all his effects and the manuscript here and locked them up in a closet by themselves and there they remain.

"This story may be tiresome to you, Ainie," interjected Mr. Z.

"Oh no," said Ainie, "I am anxious to hear it all. May I take it down and type it at my leisure?"

"Yes, you may do so. I expect you to be my sole confident for some time.

"Well, this prospector had written a long letter of instructions in which he divulged the information that he had several million dollars in certain banks which had been made payable to the order of K. Zackley & Company, for me to use in charitable undertakings and for carrying out the development of what was to be found in the manuscript. This fortune was made a sacred trust and I was the sole trustee with full power to use my discretion in its expenditure.

" *Let him who would know investigate, ponder, and scrutinize with diligence,' 'If ye seek not, ye cannot find,' are some of the sentences from this letter.

"I unrolled the manuscript. At the top it read *The Crater of Gold.' Enclosed within I found another letter written by the prospector, an explanation of how he had come into possession of the 'Crater of Gold' manuscript. It was signed 'J. Calvin.'

"This letter said that in one of his prospecting trips, he had wandered up a deep canyon to an almost perpendicular wall of a low mountain that was unscalable. Here he concluded to camp for a few days, and while gathering some brush for a fire, he uncovered what at first he took for a cave, but which proved to be a subterranean passage. With his pack burros he ventured in on an adventure that tested his mettle, but determined to solve the mystery, he trudged on for about one mile, when he came out into a circular pit, the crater of a long extinct volcano. He discovered a stone dwelling where dwelt a very old man. The old man made him welcome but he was much surprised that any one had found the way into his retreat. He reasoned that the stranger's visit was a Divine Providence.

"Mr. Calvin was at this crater home but a few days when the old man was taken seriously ill. When near death he confided in Mr. Calvin and turned over to him a huge bunch of manuscripts with the instructions to publish the same whenever it seemed advisable for the benefit of the world. The old man died and Mr. Calvin placed his body in a tomb which had been hewn in the solid rock.

"Now, this Calvin is the prospector that died in the hotel here four years ago, and you know as much as I do about the origin of this writing which contains that which has led me to the great discovery.

"It has been kept secret because Mr. Calvin was very insistent that no attempt be made to find out his antecedents and requested that everything in connection with him and his demise be kept secret and nothing sent to the papers for publication. His letter explained that his name was not Calvin, but that there was nothing in a name.

"It made no difference to him whether his name as Calvin, or any other name, survived or not. The important thing was to leave in the world that spirit, writing, invention, or information that would best tend to the evolution of man, ameliorating conditions and alleviating the suffering of humanity.

"He desired no honors for himself. *What good can honors do me after I am dead? It is the living now and in time to come that have to suffer for the misdeeds of man, not the dead. The dead feel no pain. It is the living of the futu]-e who will be benefited by the information to be found in the manuscript if you decipher its message.' "

"Oh, Mr. Zackley, excuse me! Then you have deciphered this message and you are now about ready to give to the world a great revelation?" broke in Ainie.

"Yes, I have found in what in itself is a most remarkable story, a cipher message which interprets the true meaning of this writing and gives information, if true, will free the world from debt, and bring to pass a mighty evolution in the affairs of man."

Here Mr. Zackley unlocked the private closet and brought out the original MS. just as it had been turned over to him and proceeded to show Ainie how in certain lines on each page some word was written more vertical than the other words, and by finding and arranging these words in order the sentence developed "Search that the truth may be given to the world when Providence so directs."

Ainie was peering over Mr. Z's. shoulder and gazing with awe at the MS. and the sentence thus brought out.

"When I discovered this I had no doubt but what I had found the key to the hidden message. I was disappointed. The vertical words are found no more.

"I read this writing hundreds of times. I studied every page, line and word, trying to find a clue that would lead me to decipher the message, the existence of which I had no doubt. I tried every fifth word, then every seventh word, everything I could think of until I was discouraged and gave up in despair, but the idea of unravelling this enigma got the better of me. I dreamed about it. I prayed to High Heaven for light. I was imbued with the intense feeling that some way I was destined to bring to the knowledge of man, an understanding that would make a new epoch in the history of man's struggles. I knew not what, but I must find this message and so I prayed and pondered. All my spare time I spent in my private room pondering over the strange mystery.

"At last I noted that some of the t's were crossed with a pronounced downward slant. I picked out the words thus marked, but they made no meaning. I tried the first and last words in these lines and so on with no success. I tried the next to the last word and to my unspeakable joy the enigma was solved. The great mystery was revealed and now I am inclined to believe that I am the instrument in the hands of Providence to carry out what has been planned by the old man of 'The Crater of Gold' and J. Calvin, his messenger.

"This message tells of the existence of a great mass of pure gold and directs the way to find it. It estimates that there are millions of tons of pure gold in this crater. It reasons that the specific gravity of gold causes it to sink to near the earth's center and that there is an immense amount of it here which accounts for the great density of the earth ; that at this particular place the eruption came from the center of the earth and this pure gold was squeezed out. Some will say gold is never found in a volcanic crater, but let me tell you, gold is where you find it."

"Why did not these men give this information in plain language instead of leaving it so dark that it might have never been known?" asked Ainie.

"They both believed in Divine Providence, and had faith that they were doing the will of the Most High. They both believed that man would receive the truth in regard to all things as fast as he was capable of understanding and that He who doeth all things well, would bring forth all things needed in the evolution of man.

"Well, Ainie, you see what I meant by my great discovery, and you may contemplate the awful changes that will come to this world if this message is true. You may take this afternoon for rest. Tomorrow I have more to tell you."

Ainie's curiosity was satisfied. She had no faith in the mass of gold proposition. She thought that "The Crater of Gold" was a symbolic writing representing nature as the teacher of truth, that canyons referred to creeds, prospecting to investigation, and debris was a symbol of assumed revelations that hinder mankind from accepting the truth when proven. She hastened home for lunch. When she reached home the mail had been delivered. She noticed a large, well stuffed envelope and picked it up. The address showed it was from her bank. It was too thick for a bank statement, a dun for the interest then due on the Bonner mortgage would be no thicker than an invitation to a society event. "What is it?" She hastily tore open the envelope, disclosing to view the whole bundle of cancelled notes and mortgages released, that were signed: "Robert Bonner, Jeanie Bonner, his wife." There was the stamp "Paid" on the notes, and written across the mortgages "Released" staring her in the face. "No doubt of it ! It is no dream! I am wide awake," she thought. "Paid by whom? K. Zackley, of course."

She blushed with shame to think that she was the object of charity. She called her mother and explained it all. Mrs. Bonner stared at the notes and mortgages bewildered and sank limply into a chair and moaned, "Dear Ainie, how have you ever been able to pay this great debt?"

Ainie told her that some one had done it secretly and as she suspected her employer, it was best that nothing be said, as "People will talk, and talk too much."

Ainie enquired at the bank that afternoon as to her bank balance. She was received with much respect and informed that her balance was $1,579.25. The president of the bank, I. L. Gotrocks, was so profuse in his reception of her that she was disgusted with such sycophancy. She realized how different is the treatment accorded the well-to-do as compared to the cold reception given to one in adversity. She was the same Ainie now as she was while she was scrimping to save her money, wearing her old garments and hats. Gotrocks thought Ainie had raised the money and she was careful to give him no reason to think otherwise. She checked out a hundred dollars and left the bank to make purchases of much needed dresses and hats to take the place of the old ones for herself and mother.

She mused on life. Something wrong in a system that caused business men to toady and kowtow to one with money, however insignificant that person might be, and to disregard those without money, however talented. She knew such was the case from experience. "I am the same Ainie now as then, but now I will be received with open arms where before I have been ignored," she thought.

That evening she found her mother light hearted and cheery, her eyes shining with love for her child and questioning how such a great debt could be paid so secretly.

After supper Ainie requested her mother to listen to her for a short time. "I want your advise, mother," she said. Her mother sat in her easy chair hstening as only a fond mother can whose only care is the welfare of her child. "Mother, I have fallen in love with Mr. Zackley. I could not help it. As I have thought I had no chance to win his love and did not wish to embarrass our relations, I have in no way given him any reason to suspect that I loved him, but now that he has paid our debts, I fear to return to the office. I might give way to tears, reveal my love and be humiliated. Mother, I want your advice, and I will do just as you say."

"My dear child," said Mrs. Bonner, "jou are sweet and sincere. You have been doing your work so well that it may be that Mr. Zackley has fallen in love with you and this may account for his liberal use of money. Being an honorable man, he is afraid to venture to declare himself for fear of a refusal. Such men would rather face a cannon's mouth than a thundering 'No' from a woman. You have given him no reason to assume that you care for him."

"If you love him, my advice is that you go back to the office tomorrow and do not act so formal. Place your hand on his arm carelessly, let a little love light shine in your eyes and say in a cheerful voice, 'I am ready for work again, Mr. Zackley.' Instead of cultivating a stiff demeanor, assume a companionable attitude. This will break the ice. If Mr. Zackley, as I suspect, has serious intentions, he will meet you half way and soon both of you will be happy in each other's love.

"Your father acted very much the same. Honorable men are not bold to declare their love. He ! Ho ! Ho ! I had to bring your father to his senses. Act your part. Let him see that you are not afraid to touch him. Let him know that you trust him. If you fail, no harm will be done."

The next morning Ainie arrived at the office on time, determined to play her part. "Of course, mother would advise her right." Mr. Zackley welcomed her with a cheery "Good morning." Ainie replied, "Good morning, Mr. Zackley. You are looking fine." She put her hat away and tripped over to her employer, placed her hand on his arm and said, "Well, Mr. Zackley, my rest has done me good. I am ready for work again."

This friendly action of Ainie's touched Mr. Zackley to the heart. He could hardly control his desire to then and there have done with it and declare his love, but such men control themselves until they feel sure of success. The touch of her hand caused him such exquisite thrills of pleasure that he was reluctant to speak for fear of driving that little hand from his arm. As he did not answer but just sat and gazed, Ainie took her seat in front of the typewriter, facing her employer and awaited his pleasure.

He dropped his head in thought and then questioningly said, "I have had a vision, reverie, or dream which I want to dictate to you. I have not built air castles since I was a lad. Then I used to build air castles of wonderful things that I would do. This may be only an air castle, let the title be

An Air Castle

A few hours dictation for the "Air Castle" and several business letters dispatched, and Ainie was on her way home again. She was very happy. She had seen enough now to know she would land her fish. She planned how she would continue to let out the reel or pull in fast on the line until her fish was landed. She thought the proposal would be blurted out with such vehemence that it would require all her tact to accept without being too precipitate.

You know young ladies spend much time figuring out how to accept without showing haste and often after they are sure of their game, they take great pleasure in tantalizing the poor boob. Beware, Ainie, this strong, diffident man might take your dally for a refusal. You know that he is not egotistic enough to presume upon his worthiness. Ainie, take it from me, you had better make sure at your first opportunity.

When she reached the palatial residence which was her home indeed, free and unincumbered, she found an invitation for her and her mother to attend a social at the home of banker Gotrocks that evening.

Her mother was delighted to be able again to attend such functions, Ainie cared little about it, as her mind was occupied with air castles about the great things she would do and how happy she would be with the man of her choice.

However, she accompanied her mother to this society event and took part in the dancing. Her face radiated the joy that she felt, which made her appear very beautiful and she was easily the most sought young lady at this fastidious gathering.

The cashier of Gotrock's bank, Wm. Felter, tried to monopolize her attentions, danced with her repeatedly and escorted her to the banquet. After the banquet, he prevailed on her to visit the conservatory to "hold communion with the flowers" as he said with an air of lofty sentiment. Though Ainie kept her distance and gave Mr. Felter no possible excuse for silly love making, he asked her to be seated and popped himself down by her side and tried to take both her hands in his. She gently removed her hands to a place of safety, and gradually moved over in her seat as he nudged closer to her. She tried not to appear to understand his movements. Undaunted, Mr. Felter got down on his knees and poured out a woeful story of eternal love. She knew that he had lied and that he was attracted by his desire to show off, or further his financial success. Ainie despised his pretensions, and begged to return to the parlor. "Mother will want to go home soon," she said. "Mr. Felter, it is impossible for me to give you any encouragement. I am sorry, but you will soon find another." Mr. Felter was only performing his most effective style of flirting and he was of such temperament that it was no difficult matter for him to return to the parlor highly elated with the idea that he had beat all the other young fellows to it, he strutted in with a lordly bearing and viewed the other nincompoops with a lofty air of superiority.

Ainie was disgusted with these shallow, society egotists and could but see the contrast between them and her ideal of a *'man," a manly man who meant what he said and said what he meant, a man who under no consideration would prove false to a trust and ever before her mental gaze was the image of her employer, as the one who filled the specifications.