Rochelle Laura
2021
a cold chill ran down my back . What was it? I quickly took the shovel and carefully unearthed the…a topper! The Victorian hat of gentlemen, primarily during the high tailoring era of the 19th century; but why here? My grandfather who worked in Wilson’s administration in 1920 had one that my dad inherited. I recalled the interlocutions of the hair as it streamed around the funneled stack. I think my Dad said the hat material was dawned with Felted beaver skin. Again, why here and in such good condition. My infant cooed and smiled! Melody was overjoyed! --she found another one! Three! and the last one was wrapped in old parchment—‘The Beale Papers containing Authentic Statements regarding the TREASURE BURIED in 1819 and 1821, near Bufords, in Bedford County, Virginia, and Which Has Never Been Recovered. Lynchburg: Virginian Book and Job Print 1885…” barely legible.”
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