Griggs courier., 1898-07-29

put me up to that raft again. Then,
turning to the raftsman. he said:
Look here, sir! am sheriff of Dau-
phin county, and as such am author
lied to take from you the shingles in
your possession. I am going to do; it.
too.'
"His reply was flourish of the club.
BY this time the boat had again
touched the raft, and the sheriff in an
instant leaped aboard her and ap-
preached his antagonist, saying:
Sir, you may as we'll submit peace
ably; for do you think small man like
l am came here to fight you-a big,
clustering idiot? For such you are il
you think you can escape with this
lumber when have the whole of Penn
sylvania at my back
AS the sheriff spoke, his slight fig
ure expressed so much dignity and
fearlessness, and his voice rang out in
such manly tones, that, fired by his
grit, I, too, stepped on the raft, and
reaching around him, tried to seize the
raftsman's club.
cat this moment II big men sprang
from their concealment behind the
shingles.
"'Now we are in for it!' thought 1.
"'Who ordered you to interfere,
young man?' said the sheriff, looking
at me with eyes as stern as fate. Re
turn to that boat Immediately. When
you are needed will let you know.
This is not a free fight
II obeyed, feeling small enough.
"Now, men, go back to your Places
said the sheriff, addressing the crew.
Don't be foolhardy, and get your
selves in worse scrape.'
"'Hello. Bill! What yer doin'?' in
quired one of them of the pilot, who
had come on board few miles back,
and was employed to guide the raft
down the river.
'''Well, I'll tell yer. I'm putin on
my coat, cause I'm not goin' to git in
the same box with you fellers. That
little man there is our sheriff. an I
mean to obey him. He's never known
to back down.
"'Good for you, Billy exclaimed the
sheriff, recognizing him. You're the
right sort. Now just take that oar
again under my directions
"'All right, SIR lie replied.
"And back he went.
"'That little rascal will have his own
way, anyhow remarked the man who
had first repelled the sheriff, so boys,
we may as well give up to him.
''One by one they returned to their
posts, and SO far the victory seemed
secured.
''Thc sheriff, meanwhile, picked up q
stick; began whiting it in the coolest
way possible; but, nevertheless, he
kept close watch over the men, and,
after awhile, noticed that something
was brewing.
"Carelessly sauntering up to the
pilot he inquired:
"'What is it, Bill?'
"They're tryin' to git ye over to the
falls, sir
"Now the Conewago falls are the
boundary line between Dauphin and
an adjoining county, and it is exceed
ingly dangerous, unless under ex-
perienced guidance, to pass them.
"The sheriff stepped forward, with
defiant laugh, and said:
"'You fellows are the biggest fools
I've met in long time. You think by
getting me over to the falls that you will
be out of my jurisdiction. Don't you
see that have taken possession of this
raft and all on it: l might take you
to Philadelphia, and still have you in
my power, SO you may as we'll abandon
that little trick. Jones, don't pull
quite so hard! There! that's it. Now
We'll run of to Conewago island and see
what we can do about those shingles
Then. going over to the pilot, he said:
Bill, when we get to the island, I'll
''Not another word did he speak un-
Ill the island was reached, which was
but short distance ahead.
Calling to some men who were at
work upon it. he had, under Bills di-
rection, the shingles taken off and
piled up neatly under the trees, amid
the disappearing mutterings of the
crew; but they never raised finger.
When all was done, he said:
NOW, men, I've got what came for
the shingles and not you. so you can
go your way, and next time see you.
Bill, We'll have friendly settlement.
Good-by!'
"And leaping into the skiff, we
rowed the little sheriff back to the
White House.
"Quite crowd had collected along
the shore as we returned, and you
never heard hcartier cheers than
greeted us.
Headed by Mr.. Hunt. they carried
the sheriff into the tavern upon their
shoulders, and, a few years after, when
some of those very raftsmen were
wanting a gallant leader to take them
through the war, whe do you think
they chose?'
"The brave little sheriff. sir" I re-
piled.
That's so. The little sheriff then,
and now your fathers and my friend
Capt. Darby"
"No, Mr.. Bristol! That quiet man?
It is not possible!"