The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1921-06-25
The
Mysterious Box
By FREDERICK CLARKE
90 isii, wss,sfa Newspaper unIon.l

4
newly lacquered aud metal trimmed.
old 90. crack locomotive OF the over.
land Special. footed 10 stop ut
BcnchvlIle. There II took one pas.
sengcr aboard. aud thea Changed on
LIS way again. n miracle Of life aud
beauty.
The engineer handled the lever with
the dignity Of mnn ruling the des.
tlnlcs OF world. Ills fireman. the
envy of all short run operators along
the line. fired the coal Into the blazing
box like an expert tossing ball and
enjoying II. II was big thing 10 run
tho handsome twenty.four.whceler.
The proudest man among the traln
crew, however. was Jack Dandy. and
the most delighted passenger was the
one Just taken abonrl-Jack's fnthcr.
Gray. grim and very much set In his
old.fashIoned farmer ways he was
considerably excited over taking his
first ride Of consequence behind the
iron horse.
Jack had started In nt railroad work
four years before the present time.
lie had worked his way up TO very
good salary. and was now assistant
express messenger on the Mountain
run.
There's n cushioned chair for You,
father" said Jack. opening the side
door the six inches permitted by the
protection chain. "Just view che
scenery and make yourself eomforta-
ble."
"You must be n great favorlte, jack.
TO get job In the very first car II
the train. What's that Iron box IN the
cornerT asked the old man.
"That's the express company's safe,"
explained Jack. "We're carrying the
pay roll of two sections tonight. !
presume there's n quarter of million
dollars in that safe"
"And something else, Jncki"
laughed his mate. Dave Hardy. "Your
son has locked up his first, engagement
ring for safe keeping. Mr.. Dandy"
"Eh, who's 1t for?" inquired the old
farmer, prlcking up his ears.
"Why. who could II be for but pret.
~ Nance Burdlck2" asked Jack.
flushing furlously. II hope you don't
find any objections, fatberf"
"Yes, / do" declared the farmer. II
object to your not having married her
long ago. l would, If I'd been In your
shoes Ha, hal"
The old man sat at the breezy open
Ing In the doorway. watching the fast
flying landscape with manifest con.
tentment and delight.
"What you got In that box, father1"
asked Jack finally.
Nothing to attract you, son. You've
been SO long away from the farm II
wouldn't interest you"
"See here, father" said Jack ain the
head end of the car, yonder, there's a
cot. Dave and / spell each other on
1t on the long runs sometimes, Rest
bit, won't your"
II believe WILL" assented the farm
er.
Jack soon heard his father snoring.
He and his mate were sorting some
second-class express matter about an
hour later when crash aroused them.
haven't the panel of the platform
door. The end of a crowbar intruded.
Then, before the startled express mes
sengers could advance or retreat,
quick hand reached In, snapped the
catch, and as the shattered door
swung inwards two men sprang into
view.
"Hands upl" ordered one Of them,
and the trainmen found themselves
threatened wi h two gllttering revolv-
ers.
His companion must have been
working some fifteen minutes on the
stubborn strong box, when the old
farmer awoke.
Father" spoke Jack quickly, don't
stir, don't raise your voice above a
whisper"
"Why notw inquired the old man.
"Train robbers!" announced Dave
in cautious voice.
"You don't say so-where?" de-
manded the farmer.
"Out In the other part Of the car.
The old man ventured cautiously to
the door window and peered through.
Then he retreated into the darkness.
Jack heard him chucble and approach
the door again, his mysterious box in
his hand. y
"Hll what's that?" sharply yelled
the man at the safe, dropping his bur
glarIous tools In hurry.
II should say sol Bees!" yelled his
partner. "Ouchl Murder! There's a
dozen of theml A thousand A
swarmf"
The captlves heard a weapon clang
to the floor Of the car and the sound
Of hurrying footsteps. Suddenly old
Dandy dashed into the other part Of
the car. There was yell, the
sounds Of scuffle. Glancing out, the
amazed Jack saw his father corner
ing one Of the train robbers with his
own revolver. 49,
'Into that other part, double quick"
ordered the staunch old hero. "Un.
tie those boys, or I'll pepper vel"
The Overland Special arrived at it's