The Lamar register., 1919-09-10
Something of q
Cold Snap
M
BY GEORGE L. SURREY
tCopyrisht)

tIalNeStDn rtstutuls, WIS lhNlub MS
twentieth daily visit to the scene Of
operations.
Satisfied. Mr.. Hickman, eh?"-nnd
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 proprletor's elbow.
Looks all right. guess
"All right Why, sir, that safes
stroke Of genius, though | say 1t.
It's revelation. I'll guarantee there's
nothing like 1t in all the stntes-nuth-
Ing to hold tallow dip To IL"
Mr.. Smart's professional pride ap-
peared hurt at his clients very made
quate commendation.
Say. | didn't mean anything" Mr..
Hickman hastened to explain. 81
have no doubt It's a fine safe. Come
an have 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 It's kind I've
NJ
concrete; patent flooring. damp-proof'
rot-defylng. finest arrangement OF cool
ing pipes ever laid-and then, the
door,
"Ah, It's good doorl" the owner
assented,
$50 good that no one1l ever have an
other like 1t. you bet. Firm couldn't
do another at the price.
"To tell you the truth. sir, we're
doing this rs 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
lng's the best one-an'-three-quarter-inch
chilled steel plate.
I'VE brought that door over In one
piece. Takes four men to lift It. yet
II swings on It's hinges as easy as
clock pendulum. Seen the lock7"
No. Anything special;"
81 should say II Is. That locks my
own invention. and I'll bet there's no
man In creation can pick 1t, II he
works all night.
Nothing short Of dynamite can
hurt IT. 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 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 ssfe-it was
the pride and JOY Of his life. Also. It
became the dearest aversion Of his
friends and acquaintsnces. and OF
everyone who came within earshot OF
him.
No matter where he might be or
what the subject OF conversation. he
Inevitably managed 10 steer II around
to the safe.
Once when he had talked his com
panions almost TO the verge OF insan-
lty, old Jeremiah MacI.aren openly
Informed him that. In his opinion. the
safe was snare OF the devil; that
Mr.. HIckman's pride in II was nothing
less than sinful. and that sooner or
later he'd be visited by some terrible
Judgment In consequence.
But Jerry MacLaren was a Scot, and
rival hotelkeeper to boot; so II may
have been Jealousy. and not mere piety.
which instignted 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 slight drag on the
loose alpaca jacket he was wearing.
gave a sharp Jerk. The action. II un-
thinking. was a perfectly natural one.
Three seconds later there was a smart
click"
Swinging around Jacob Hickman
faced the safe door. II 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-
tfon upon Its well-olled and nicely ad-
justed hInges-and the patent auto
matte lock had done the rest.
Hickman was a stout man; 1t was
very hot day; and his forehead was
covered with drops Of perspiration
when he entered the safe.
His paralyzed brain suddenly swoke
a =