The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-12-20
THE GOLDEN EGG
And the Curious YoIk II
Concealed.
sy NJ. ). pH,LLIps.


his employer. Professor Rudolph Kin
fein, to the marriage Of that young
man and Kinfein's niece. Donna. he ex-
pected that there would be extraordt
nary conditions attached to Klnfein's
approval. KinfeIn was wealthy ana
eccentric scientist. metallurgist and
physician. who dabbled In various
strange matters for his amusement.
Buckley, his assistant. had grown in
time to understand the old mans oddl-
ties and to have profound respect for
the intellect which had already made
several valuable scientific discoveries.
Kinfein smiled benevolently and
combed his long white beard with his
fingers when the younger man spoke.
"WelI. john he began. donna II
twenty-five. and of course she will
marry some time. suppose you are
no worse than other men. Now, II l
impose task upon you before give
my consent you will agree to perform
IT."
'If can." replied Buckley cautiously.
The old gentleman chuckled. ut
won't be very hard. John" From a
private compartment beneath the lab
oratory shelf he drew out box and
handed 1t to Buckley. "Open it," he
said.
John did so and revealed an oval
yellow object nearly the size of foot
ball and practically of the same shape.
1t seemed to be Of metal.
snow, John. there's your golden egg,
for you In my leisure moments. If you
open 1t inside Of month you get Don.
ma and a wedding present too. If not,
you'll have to wait awhile"
what tools may use in opening
iti"
"Thats the point. John. You may
use your own two good hands and any
instrument which does not weigh over
fifty grains"
Fifty grains! repeated John,
amazed. "Why. that's less than a
quarter of an ounce"
Exactly"
John stared first ut the egg and then
at the scientist. But. professor" he
eXpostulated. IAN instrument weighing
fifty grains will be practically useless
Why. the blade of small penknife
weighs that much. A thin latchkey
weighs more.'
"But an instrument much less in
weight will open that egg"
John looked dubious. "But suppos
ing use something which weighs
more?"
"You wouldn't do it. John. II you
agreed not to-" responded the profes
sor comfortably. "and Id catch you
at 1t II you did"
John was young. in love. and ener
getic. His three years work in the
various hobbies which the. scientist af
fected had given him an unusual tech
nical education. great confidence II
himself, and certain delicate manua
dexterity which almost surpassed thai
Of his employer clever as the Older
man was. 1t was very natural that bt
should accept the challenge and beal
away the egg.
He found Miss Donna in the parlol
and explained the situation. 1t is hard
ly germane to mention that when the
girl placed her elbows on the table ant
settled her chin in her pink palms t.
listen she looked distractingly pretty
so pretty. in fact. that John was com
PEELED to interrupt his narrative Will,
he kissed her.
When he had finished his account OF
| the conditions she rose. You are t
go right to your room. John" she com
manded. "and open that egg. I'm dy
ing to see what's in 1t. No; you cam
stay here with me and work on Il.
would disturb you" With the wari
ness Of long experience. she dOdget
around the table at this moment. an
ticipating by the fraction OF secont
q lunge on the part Of John. From ,
place of safety behind chair sh'
pointed to the door. "Avaunt! AND
tell me tomorrow morning what 70,
found" John reluctantly gave up ,
| chase which promised to be fruitless
and obeyed.
Settled In the easy chair In his Owl
room. he paid the professor the com
pliment OF examining the egg ver'
carefully before beginning operations
He went over It with his fingers. bu
could feel no joints beneath the vel
low paint which covered the metal
There was no depression on the sur
face. 1t was his theory that hiddel
spring would open the sphere. and h
spent the balance Of the evening II
searching for 1t. At midnight tn
secret was still undiscovered, and h
gave It up for the time being.
Donna was inclined to poke fun a
his failure the next morning. AS TIL
chuckling professor readily allowe'
her to try her hand. she spent an hou
and broke two hairpins In an equal.
fruitless effort.
The egg was rather light than other
wise for Its size, but John felt Ger
tain that machinery Of some descrip
] <inv, hiddan within n contrOllad th