Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1921-03-24
The
Mysterious Box
By FREDERICK CLARKE
20, 1924. Western Newspaper Union.)

Sengef ABOARD, anu tueu ClduSeu on
it's way again, miracle of life and
beauty.
The engineer handled the lever with
the dignity of man ruling the des-
TIMES of a world. His 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 it. 1t was a big thing to run
the handsome twenty-four-wheeler.
The proudest man among the train
crew, however, was Jack Dandy, and
the most delighted passenger was the
one just taken aboard-Jack's father.
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 at railroad work
| four years before the present time.
He had worked his way up to very
good salary, and was now assistant
| express messenger on the Mountain
run.
"There's q cushioned chair for you,
father" said Jack, opening the side
door the six inches permitted by the
protection chain. "Just view the
scenery and make yourself cOmforta'
| ble."
you must be a great favorite, JACK,
to get a job in the very first car Of
the train. What's that iron box in the
corner?" 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 a quarter of million
dollars in that safe"
land something else, Jack"
laughed his mate, Dave Hardy. your
son has locked up his first engagement
ring for safe keeping, Mr. Dandy"
'Eh, who's it for?" inquired the old
farmer, pricking up his ears.
"Why, who could it be for but pref
ty Nance Burdick?" asked Jack,
flushing furiously. 81 hope you don't
find any objections, father?"
"Yes, I do" declared the farmer. II
object to your not having married her
long ago. would, if I'd been in your
shoes. Ha, ha"
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, father|
asked Jack finally.
Nothing to attract you, son. You've
been so long away from the farm it
wouldn't interest you"
"See here, father" said Jack "in the
head end of the car, yonder, there's a
cot. Dave and I spell each other on
it on the long runs sometimes. Rest
a bit, won't you?"
81 believe l WILL" assented the farm
er.
Jack soon heard his father snoring,
He and his mate We're sorting some
I secOnd-cIass express matter about an
hour later when a crash aroused them.
In went the panel Of the platform
door. The end of crOwbar intruded.
Then, before the startled express mes
senTers could advance or retreat, a
quick hand reached in, snapped the
catch, and as the shattered door
swung inwards two men sprang into
view.
Hands up!" ordered one of them,
and the trainmen found themselves
threatened with two glittering 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 not?" inquired the old man.
"Train robbers!" announced Dave
in a 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 chucllle and approach
the door again. his mysterious box in
his hand
'Hi! what's that?" sharply yelled
| the man at the safe, dropping his bur
glarious tools in a hurry.
81 should Say so! Bees!" yelled his
partner. "Ouch! Murder! There's a
dozen of them! A thousand! A
swarmp
The captives 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 a yell, the
sounds of scuff1e. CHANGING out, the
amazed Jack saw his father corner
ing one of the train robbers with his
own revolver.
Unto that other part, double quick"
ordered the staunch old hero. Gun
tie those boys, or I'll pepper yet"
The Overland Special arrived at its
next stop with its treasure chest in
tact and with a bound prisoner. His
comrade, amid the agony of the bee
bites, had leaped from the train.
"There's a history to that ring" ex-
planned Jack, as he slipped the en-
gagement circlet on the finger Of
blushing Nance Burdick back at their
home town, a few evenings later.