Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-07-10
Mysterious Iron
Safety Box
BY CHARLES SLOANE REID


'WNU Servicel
old Sol Randall sat at corner
~ Of the hearth staring into small
blaze In the fireplace. Martha, his
wife, sat at the opposite side. The
rude chairs In which they sat had
worn depressions almost through the
flooring in these respective spots, for
Sol and Martha had spent many hours
through sixty years Of married life,
sitting there.
Hits seven year to this born day,
Marth," Sol said.
'Yeah; | was jes' thlnkin' about ,
it-seven year to this born day Mar
tina took pipe stem from her mouth,
and spat into the chimney opening. Il
reckon we got perfect right now,
SOL" she continued.
The old mans gaze swung toward ,
a spot beneath the head Of bedstead
in corner of the room.
81 don't reckon thar's any use O.
wnitln' no longer" Martha decided.
Old Sol arose and went to a shelf
near the rear door of the cabin. From
this he took down a hammer and
cold chlsel.
Hits some heavy, Marth," he said,
once more glanclng toward the bed
stead.
"Yeah. reckon yuh can drug 1t,
eff yuh can't tote hit"
Sol moved toward the bed, and got
down upon his knees at the edge of
1t. Reaching under as far as his arm
which he drew forth. The box was
not large, but was closed with a heavy
clasp; and there was a strong paddock
snapped through the staple. With II
grunt Sol lifted Il from the floor, and
staggered with It to the hearth, where
he eased II down.
Reckon we're doln jes' right,
Martin" he asked.
81 reckon hit must be accordin' to
law, Sol--arter these here seven
years"
The box had been left at the cabin
by a prospector seven years before,
for safe keeping until he returned
from trip East. The man never had
returned, and no word ever had come
from him. II was probable the box
contained gold-the stranger had been
very particular in his instructions
about the care of 1t. On many occa'
sions In the seven years, when poverty
had plnched hard, and the source OF
an always menger supply for mnin'
tanning q bare existence had nearly
reached the vanishing point, the temp
tation to open the box had been al
most irresistible. But the code Of hon
or Sol felt MS trustee of the treasure
had remained unviolated
Seven years was the limit-no claim
ant had appeared. Again poverty was
plnchlng hard and SOILS sand digging
had not been profitable Sol Randall,
too, had felt the stiffenlng Of his joints
more certainly In the past few months
than ever before.
"Jest as well cut Off the hasp,
reckon" suggested Martha, once more
taking the pipe stem from her mouth.
"Yeah. | reckon this chlselll cut
It,"
Sol came down upon his knees be
side the box. Then, after passing his
thumb along the edge of the cold
chisel, he set the blade Of II against
the hasp.
'The chlse amt none too sharp
he said; "but | don't reckon hits past
cuttln'."
Raising his hammer he began 10
rain blows upon the nub Of the chlsel.
Slowly the blade cut into the metal Of
the hasp Presently he looked up nj
Martha.
"Another llck'll finish II, old won
an" he declared; "better slip 10 the
door thar, an take another look ne
mought be jes' comm In sight yuh
knOw-down about the perslmlt0n
branch"
"Yeah." Martha went to the door
way and stood there for some time
"Jes' as well to hit tibet last lick, Sol
omon," she announced; thar aInt no
body In sight"
Solomon set the chlsel and raised
his hammer. One heavy blow and the
hasp fell away In two pieces. Martin
now was standing over her spouse
The old man seized the box trap by
its corners and slowly lifted II back
displaying the contents which had fOi
so long been kept sacred mystery.
Before their eyes lay--not a heap Of
yellow nuggets, as they had pictured
a. A. l...N 4