New Britain herald., 1921-08-18

"Whatever!'' calculated the single listener unfamiliar with the denoue- nent of the story. "Wuthless?"
 "Ceptin' to the junkman' chuckled Cap'n Abe. Seems Uncle Joe had found them ancient and useless dockylnents in an old safe he'd bought and cleaned out one time. But they sarved to gull the Coff1nses nicely. Paid Jonathan up for overreachin' Uncle Joe"
 Cap'n Abe went around behind the counter again and an audible sigh of relief was expelled by most of his audience.
 See the pint, Cap'n Hand" asked the storekeeper slyly
 "Whatever!" repeated Capn' Jonah. T shd say dol"
 CHAPTER VI.
 The Strong Box.
 Perry Baker, the cadaverous ex- pressman had occasion day or two later to pass Eliphalet Truitt's door. The ex-steward was pottering about This tiny front yard in the frosty air.
 What ye got there?" he asked.
 You can see all I've got. That barrel for Cap'n Abe. And this here iron box for the Petty place."
 By Hannah" exclaimed the ex- steward with sudden interest, standing on tip-toe to peer into the wagon body. That box? Who's it for?"
 "Cap'n Jonah Hand. And b'lieve me- added the expressman, almost in a whisper. I'm keepin' my eye on that, 'Liphalet. It was give me at the Paulmouth National bank. There was some talk of sendin' the bank messenger along with me. There must be something mighty valu ble in that box--an' 'tis heavy as lead" By Hannah!' repeated 'Lphalet. in wonder.
 If want to know what I think" continued Perry in the same cautious tone, II b'lieve there's money in that strong box They say Cap'n Jonah Hand is rich as cream! Like enough he is a-goin' to count his money over to see just how much he's got. Whats the matter, 'Liphalet?"
 By Hannah" he murmured. "1 reckon Capn Abe has cooked up said he would.'
 l The expressman driving up the Pet ty lane brought all the family save I ~ II NoOAS N~-A~~ windows Even Joe Helmford' peered out with interest to see the heavy steel box, fastened by two big brass pad locks, lifted down from the wagon.
 For Uncle Jonah? I want to know!'. murmured Sarah Petty. l "Goshamighty! From the bank? re- peated Orrin.
 "Is he here?' asked Perry unim- portantly. i've got to deliver 1t to Cap'n Hand pusson'ly An this pack et,' he added, drawing from his breast pocket an envelope we'll spot ted with black sealinswax.
 Hes up in his room.' said Orrin eagerly.
 1 Better take it right up to Uncle Jonah, Perry Sarah observed, he1 hands and eyebrows both twitching
 They stumbled up the crooked back stairs and found Capn Jonah ready for them with his door wide open.
 "Howdy, MT. Baker, he said, cor Gially, leaning on his gold-headeo cane in the middle of his poor room
 Set that chist right here by the win der. Now the keys. Yep, I'll sigr your receipt.
 He signed his name to the paper and paid Perry his fee. Tom fingered at the door of the room, his eyes like knobs. The congressman fell over the lout as he retreated and pushed him down the stairs ahead of him.
 At dinner Cap'n Jonah never men toned the mystery. But he seemed more cheerful than of late. To Pear he was always kind-even fatherly He and MT. Helmford chatted most companionably. The three Pettys felt themselves rather out of it. The cap ltafn was already paying 'em back. The more Orrin fidgeted, and Sarah held herself in by main force, the more cheerful Capn Jonah grew.