The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-06-19
Something of a
Cold Snap
By GEORGE L. SURREY
(copyrishu

Hickman. the proprietor OF that pula-
tal summer hostelry so well known to
Galveston residents. was paying his
twentieth daily visit to the scene of
operations. -
satisfied. Mr.. Hickman. ehf"-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 aud
stood at the hotel proprietor's elbow.
"iooks nll right, guess"
IAN right Why. sir. that safes
stroke OF genius, though | say It.
It's revelation. I'll guarantee there's
nothing like II in all the states-noth-
ing to hold tallow dip to It."
Mr., Smart's professional pride ap-
peared hurt Mt his clients very inade-
quate commendation.
"Sny. I didn't mean anything" Mr..
Hickman FASTENED to explain. u
have no doubt It's 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 its kind I've
ever struck. Thlrteen-inch walls, solid
concrete; patent flooring. dnmp-proof.
rot-defying, finest arrangement of cool
Ing pipes ever laid-and then. the
door"
"Ah, It's a good door!' the owner
assented.
$50 good that no one'll 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. See?
All, you were lucky to get our Arm 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 hest one-an' n'-three-quarter-inch
chilled steel plate.
"we 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 lockf"
mo. Anything specialT
'T should say II is. That locks my
own invention. and I'll bet there's nc
man In creation can pick II. II be
, works all night.
Nothing short of dynamite car
hurt II. Automatic. self-fastening. ne
trouble to turn. an strong as Mig
:. gers love for watermelon. That lock-
a daisy. she is."
|. Mr.. Smart turned east with four
!. figured check In his pocket, and ia
, cob Hickman started in to enjoy hi
!. new possession and the envy of al
. other hotel keepers In the neighbor
!. hood.
, He came to love that safe-!t wal
4 the pride and Joy Of his life. Also. !
became the dearest aversion OF hi
A friends and acqua,ntances, and o
everyone who came within earshot o
!. him.
!. No matter where ne might be o
:. what the subject of conversation. h
= inevitably managed to steer It aroun
N to the safe.
= Once when he had talked his con
n pnnions almost to the verge Of insar
"A ity, old Jeremiah MacLaren openl
a Informed him that. In his opinion. tn
N safe was snare Of the devil; tina
"a Mr.. Hickman's pride In II was nothin
a less than sinful, and that sooner q
- later he'd be visited by some terribl
= judgment In consequence.
u But Jerry MacLaren was a Scot, an
n q rival hotelkeeper to boot; so II ma
y have been jealousy. and not mere piet
u which instigated his remarks.
d One day when Jacob Hickman wei
n downstairs to pay one Of his numeror
10 daily visits to the safe. something ha
r. pened.
Il lie unfnstened the door. stepped Il
- side, and feeling a slight drag on Il
or loose alpaca jacket he was wearIn
N gave sharp Jerk. The action, II III
g, thinking. was a perfectly natural on
Of Three seconds later there was a sma
Of "click."
Is Swinging around Jacob Hickms
re faced the safe door. 1t had closed b
n, hind him.
N The door opened outwards. Tn
er slight Jerk which had released h
d. jacket--caught. probably, In the do
knob-had set the heavy door In m
ton upon It's well-oIled and nIceiy a
justed hnges--nnd the pat"ut aut
matte lock had done the res
~ Hickman was a stout man; II was
" very hot day; and bis forehead W
o covered with drops OF perspiratl'
I'D when he entered the safe.
=" His paralyzed brain suddenly awo
!, and asserted itself. and he started
- yell like q drunken Indian.
~ Unthinking. he yelled and hammer
~ ut the door with his bare fists until
:" was exhausted aud his knuckles we
:. bruised and bleeding.
:. ~ BY and by his breath came back. a
IL he began to think with some met
W ure OF conference and to realize I
" horror OF his position.
- Here he was prisoner witho
- means of escape or hope of relea