RAILCAR GOLD Chapter 3 . . Missing . . Part 2
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 2 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 2
Dan was up early in the morning. He wanted to talk to Harry and his wife before they left for Blackwood. Dan described the wagon and family that had the trunk of books in excruciating detail; to the extent of repeating details over and over as they had a bite to eat before hitting the road. He was making sure they remembered everything.
When Dan started reviewing his description one last time as they got up on their wagon, Rufus cut in, “Dan, give it a break. They know whom they’re look for.”
As they pulled out onto the road, Harry called back, “Dan, we’ll find those books for you.” Then they were gone.
Rufus scolded Dan, “You were being quite the pest this morning, I don’t want that happening again. You hear me.”
Dan slowly nodded his head up and down then asked as he pointed, “Is that the school I’ll be going to?” They could see a schoolhouse beyond a small group of houses on the south side of the creek.
Rufus told Dan, “I’ve already checked when I first looked at this place. Their school year ends in one week. You might-as-well wait until next Fall.”
Dan objected, “I don’t want to wait. I can make some new friends in that week.” Rufus overruled Dan, “No more discussion about school. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Dan was dejected; he was looking forward to a few friends his age, because he knew he would be spending a lot of hours working for his uncle. Just then a boy ambles down the road in the front of their place. Dan yelled out to him, “Are you the neighbor boy that caught the extra fish for us to eat last night? You’ll have to show me where you’re fishing hole is located.”
The boy replied, “Got to go to school first. Are you the new boy? Good, you’ll break the tie between girls and boys at school. By the way, names Tom.”
Rufus surprised Dan with an immediate request, “That fish was mighty good. Dan, I wouldn’t mind if you caught some fish like that for supper every night. Get Tom to show you his fishing hole after school. Dan, can’t go to school now, he’ll start in the Fall.”
Both boys were disappointed for different reasons, but agreed to meet after school. Rufus quickly had Dan working with a horse to get him carriage ready. Dan had to work fast, because the promise date for this horse had passed. On Saturday Harry got a customer concession on a new delivery date, as long as Rufus moved the horse to the top of his list.
Dan worked with the horse throughout the day. He suspected that Harry had previously started to train the horse because progress was fast. As soon as Dan saw Tom heading home from school, he stopped the training immediately; jumped the corral fence and ran to join Tom. Two boys off to a fishing-hole; it was just like old times along the Big Timber Creek.
Go to Part 3
