The box was marked “Glass” and “Handle with Care,” so Ruth ran over to her uncle to inquire about it.
“Do you know what is in it?” asked she.
“I believe it is the box that failed to arrive with the other things,” he replied, smiling.
“Do tell what it is,” persisted Ruth.
“Why? You’ll soon see, and it would spoil the surprise if I told you,” said Uncle Ben.
Ruth skipped back to the circle formed about the case watching Ned take out the nails very carefully. Soon Jinks and he had the top boards off and then started to lift out the excelsior. This disposed of, a flat paper parcel was seen. Ned lifted it out, and seeing another one underneath, Jinks took it out also. Meredith and Don looked to see if there were any more, but excelsior seemed to fill the bottom of the box.
“Who has a knife?” asked Ned, not finding his own in his pocket.
“Here, here! hurry up and cut the twine!” shouted Don.
Ned took Don’s knife with the broken blade and rusty handle, and smiled as he hacked away at the twine. After several vigorous efforts the string parted and several hands hurried to tear off the heavy paper.
A large picture of Benjamin Franklin, in a heavy oak frame, came out from its wrappings.