Evening star., 1896-10-31
A REMBRsEFUL CUSTODIAN

!" -'rhe'saerje' Of e of the down the Poto-
mac communities had before him an un-
usual tastN Hiarduties required him to
convey d hardened criminal. famous
through his NUMEROUS chicken roost depre-
dasions' f79m ore town to another. His
sense. OF = afespod{ibility weighed heavily
upon MIN and his nerves needed bracing.
He had secured sailbcat for the trans
rortation of his prisoner and at each
town he falted Tor more stimulant His
charge was required to accompany him
at every Step in order to prevent his es-
cape. and the sheriff was too hospitable
to allow the fact that the prisoner was
. colored man. and a suspect in the hands
OF the law to bar him from an equal
share in the cheer. By the time they
mad stopped at six or eight towns the
sheriff was unable to tell one color from
another s4E
They had almost reached their journeys
end. Ihere was, only one more town in
which to patronize the bar before they
reached the place where the prisoner was
awaited them
m sorry. SIR" the landlord said. "but
haven't drop In the house, except lemon
soda" ~.
They had passed the point Of discrimi-
= nation and bottle of lemon soda apiece
was added to the collection. The sheriff
made Ery' face. but he did not risk the
exertion OF protest. He sank into a
chair and was soon fast asleep. His pris-
oner looked at him and said:
reckon, we'd better put i'm ter baid.''
They carried him up to a room where the
colored men undressed him and wrapped
him up In an old-fashioned comforter,
Which the landlords wife said was the only
covering she could spare. She provided 1t
rather reluctantly, too. as it was gay Of
In nd hod hon
used before. He was left alone with the
lamp burning low
About midnight the landlord and his fam
lily were aroused by q series of prolonged
ana piercing shrieks. The sounds came
from the room occupied by the sheriff.
Take 'em away!" he yelled. "Chase EN-
of an brings me pledge to sign.'
he was out in the middle of the floor
danclng Wildly and Historically brushing
his naked arms and legs with both hands.
The landlord and the hired man grabbed
MIN and demanded an explanation.
Don YOU see emf" he shouted.
D.. Don't I see What?" asked the landlord.
Things All over me. Look at 'em wr1g-
The lamp was turned up and the secret of
his distress revealed. The comforter had
faded and stamped him from head to foot
with it's fantastic figurings.
I've seen 'em In corners often.' the
sheriff moaned, but 1 never sposed they
wuh gofn' to get in my system an break
little soap and water soon dispelled the
illusion. and he suddenly asked:
where's the man that was with me
last night?'
wall HE W, went away away little while after you
"-.W hose clothes are these?"
1T II they're not yours don't know whose
The sherifs jaw dropped disconsolately.
That's what call a f6w.d8H ftficlen He
might have left my clothes after the good
time l showed him yesterday. I guess I'd
better take something to steady my nerves
Bring me Up the BEST you've got, and bring
it in tumbler."
Il told you last night that we haven't
anything IN the house except lemon soda"
nsLbutIemon.nIook here did l
drink aHy,of that?'
Yes: yoa drank glass; one glass" 81
THAT exPlainssit. I was wondering what
shattered my nerves. Don't say anything
about thisdto anybody, will your
why, you can't conceal the fact that
your prisoner escaped"
''Of course not. I'll have to stand a good
dea! OF jokin' about that. I'm willing to
Acknowledge that when it's on me, an I'll
take 1t g6od-natured. BXt there's y lot of
Jealousy in politics and there are always
people waitin' for a chance-tp ruin Q mans
reouta tipJh IF you have any considera ton
for me orany family. don't let my people
up, there 1fd out that what did It was
lemon sodes -, .,g4y -, ...4