Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-08-01
Something of a
Cold Snap
WA<0
BY GEORGE L. SURREY
Copyright

(CopyrghO
The construction Of the new cold
storage room at the Washington hotel
was nearing completion, and Jacob
Hickman, the proprietor Of that pala-
tial summer hostelry so well known to
Galveston residents, was paying his
twentieth daily visit to the scene Of
operations.
Satisfied, Mr.. Hickman, eh2"-and
Mr.. Smart, the clever engineer, who
had been sent down to superintend
matters by the big eastern firm which
had the contract in hand, came and
stood at the hotel proprietOr's elbow.
Looks all right. guess"
"All right Why, sir, that safes
a stroke Of genius, though I say it.
It's a revelation. I'll guarantee there's
nothing like 1t in all the states-noth-
ing to hold tallow dip to it."
Mr.. Smart's professional pride ap-
peared hurt at his clients very made
quate commentator.
Say, l didn't mean anything" Mr..
Hickman fastened to explain. II
have no doubt It's a fine safe. Come
an have a drink"
At the bar Mr.. Smart went through
the complete inventory Of the peculiar
beauties and distinctive merits Of the
cold room.
Look at It," he said enthusiastic
ally. Biggest thing of its kind I've
ever struck. Thirteen-inch walls, solid
concrete; patent flooring, damp-proof,
rot-defying, finest arrangement Of cool
ing pipes ever laid-and then, the
door"
"Ah, It's a good doorI" the owner
assented
80 good that no onell ever have an
other like 1t, you bet. Firm couldn't
do another at the price.
ITO tell you the truth, sir, we're
doing this as an advertisement. Sect
All, you were lucky to get our firm to
handle this job, / can tell you. Why,
there's six inches solid Oregon pine
In that door, and the backing and fac
ing's the best. one-an'- three-quarter-inch
chilled steel plate.
1--WE brought that door over In one
piece. Takes four men to lift It, yet
: 1t swings on its hinges as easy as a
clock pendulum. Seen the lock2"
mo. Anything specialf"
II should say 1t is. That locks my
own invention and I'll bet there's no
man in creation can pick 1t, If he
works all night.
Nothing short of dynamite can
hurt 1t. Automatic, self-fastening, no
trouble to turn, an strong as a mig
gers love for watermelon. That locks
daisy, she Is"
Mr. Smart turned east with a four
figured check in his pocket, and ia
cob Hickman started In to enjoy his
new possession and the envy Of all
other hotel keepers in the neighbOr-
hood.
He came to love that safe-it was
the pride and Joy Of his life. Also, 1t
became the dearest aversion Of his
friends and acquaintance, and Of
everyone who came within earshot OF
him.
No matter where he might be or
what the subject of conversation, ne
inevitably managed to steer 1t around
to the safe.
Once when he had talked his COM
panlons almost to the verge Of insan-
ity, old jeremiah MacLaren openly
informed him that, in his opinion. the
safe was a snare Of the devil that
Mr.. Hickman's pride In 1t was nothing
less than sinful, and that sooner or
later he'd be visited by some terrible
judgment in consequence.
But Jerry MacLaren was Scot, and
rival hotelkeeper to boot; so 1t may
have been Jealousy, and not mere piety,
which instigated his remarks.
One day when Jacob Hickman went
downstairs to pay one Of his numerous
daily visits to the safe, something hap
pened.
He unfastened the door, stepped In
side, and feeling a slight drag on the
loose alpaca jacket he was wearing,
gave a sharp Jerk. The action, IL I'M
thinking, was a perfectly natural one.
Three seconds later there was smart
"click."
Swinging around Jacob Hickman
faced the safe door. 1t had closed be-
hind him.
The door opened outwards. That
slight Jerk which had released his
jacket-caught, probably, In the door
knob-had set the heavy door In mo-
tiOn upon Its well-oiled and nicely i'd
justed hinges-and the patent auto
matte lock had done the rest.
Hickman was a stout man 1t was O
very hot day; and his forehead was
covered with drops Of perspiratiOn
when he entered the safe.
His paralyzed brain suddenly awoke
and asserted itself, and he started to
yell like drunken Indian.
Unthlnklng, he yelled and hammered
at the door with his bare fists until he
was exhausted and his knuckles were
bruised and bleeding.
BY and by his breath came back. and
he began to think with some meas
ure Of conference and to realize the
horror of his position.
Here he was a prisoner without
means Of escape or hope Of release.
True, the key Of the door was in his
pocket-he had taken It from the
lock when he opened the safe. But
that didn't help him any.
There was duplicate key, but that
was In secret drawer Of his bureau,
and therefore useless. Indeed, If
Hickman's presence In the safe became
known, no one could find lt--even his
Phone Mt Airy 49, Farmers phone 1881.