RAILCAR GOLD Chapter 3 . . Missing . . Part 1
RAILCAR GOLD is a historically accurate multi-generational fictional tale of hidden treasure, primarily set in York County, Pennsylvania during the latter half of the Nineteenth Century. This is Part 1 of Chapter 3 . . . Missing. A new part will be posted every Thursday. New readers may want to start at the beginning.
CHAPTER 3 . . . MISSING . . . Part 1
Dan fretfully exclaimed, “Mom’s trunk of books is missing!” He ran into the house, grilling Rufus, “What happened to Mom’s trunk of books?”
The canvas-covered trunk of his Mother’s books was the first thing Dan loaded onto the wagon. Della always found time for a little extra tutoring of Dan from those books. After the accident Dan found comfort in those books. They were his most prized possession and now they were missing.
Rufus quizzed Dan, “Are you sure you loaded it? Dan sneered at Rufus as if he were foolish for asking such a question, “It was loaded, no doubt about it! Now where it?”
Rufus scolded Dan, “I don’t like your tone of voice. Just calm down; the trunk must have accidentally got switched to the travelers wagon when we were offloading stuff to switch tables at the Delaware ferry.”
Dan butt in, “We have to go back, right now!”
Rufus countered, “We have commitments here, it’s just a box of books, nothing important.” To Dan, that was a cold comment; Rufus knew how Dan felt about those books.
A piercing stare and snarl at his uncle was all that Dan could manage, just as Harry offered, “Which way were they headed from the ferry? Maybe I could ask around on the journey back to Blackwood.”
Dan jumped right in, “Oh would you. Those books mean so much to me. Maybe I can ride along with you.”
Rufus thanked Harry, “Anything you do will be appreciated. They told me they were heading towards Camden. Dan, you’re needed here. Let Harry ask around, I’m sure they’ll turn up. Finish unloading the wagon. I need to sit down with Harry to go over the list of commitments to our new customers.”
Dan unloaded the remainder of the wagon then went about exploring their new place. The house and barn were much more rustic than the buildings in Blackwood. When they arrived, Dan saw a bigger town in the distance; he figured that must be Bainbridge. Also upon their arrival, a schoolhouse was passed in small town just on the other side of the creek. Dan assumed that is where he’d go to school.
In bed that night, Dan wondered about his new classmates; would they welcome him as a friend. He wondered about managing twice the number of horses. He kept thinking about ways to go along with Harry, but knew this uncle would not allow any of them. However Dan was thankful that Harry would try to locate the trunk of books.
Go to Chapter 3, Part 2
