The Florence daily tribune., 1899-01-28

sent us back about ten feet. Then he
said, savagely;
IN break YOUR head il you dare To
touch here agaiH!' raising, as he spoke,
a stout hickory club with which TO en-
force his threat
II tell you, Mark. wished l was
safely at home then.
Men, coolly ordered the sheriff.
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 l am going to do it.
too.
His reply was flourish of the club
Bv this time the boat had again
touched the raft. and the sheriff in an
instant leaped aboard her and APP
preached his antagonist, saying
Sir, YOU may as well submit peace
ably; fof do you think Il small man like
| am came here to tigh, you-a big.
clustering idiot? For such you are IL
you think you can escape with this
sylvania at my back
AS the sheriff spoke, his slight fig
ure expressed SO much dignity and
fearlessncss, and his voice rang ont in
such manly tones, that. fired by hi
grit, |, too, stepped on the raft. and
reaching around him, tried to seize the
raftsmau's club.
AT this moment II big men sprane
from their concealment behind the
shingles
"'Now we are in for it, thought
WHO ordered you to intcrfer,
young mnn?' said the sheriff, loohir
at me with eyes as stern as fate. 'R,
turn to that boat immediately. Wher
you are needed / win let you know.
This is not a free fight
81 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. VIII,
had come on board a few miles bacl,
and was employed to guide the raft
down the river.
"Wcll, I'll tell yer. I'm putin on
my coat, cause I'm not goin' to git i'm
the same box with You fcllers. That
little man there is our sheriff, an
mean to obey him. He's never known
to back down.
Good for you, Bill" exclaimed the
sheriff, recognizing him. You're the
right sort. Now just take that oar
again under my directions
IAN right, sir he 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 80 him
"0ne by one they returned to their
posts, and so far the victory seemed
secured.
THE sheriff. meanwhile. picked up
stick, began whiting it in the coolest
way possible; but, nevertheless, h.
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 We over to the
falls, sir
Nov 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 wi,
be out of my jurisdiction Don't yo,
see that have taken possession of thi
raft and all on it: l might take yol
to Philadelphia, and still have you ii
my power, so you may as well abandon
that little trick. Jones. don't pull
quite so hard! There. that's it. Now
well run of to Conawago 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
leave you to see about the unloading
Not another word did hc speak un-
I'll the island was reached. which was
but short distance ahcad.
Calling to somr men who were al
work upon it, he had, under Bits di
rection, he shingles taken off and
piled CP neatly d.;dcr the trees. aEiit
the d'saprroving muttcrings of the
crew: but they never raistda finger.
When all was lone. he said:
Now, men, I've got what came fol
the shingles ana not YOU. 80 you cal
go your way, and next time see YOU
Bill, Wen have friendly settlement.
Good-hy!'
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 heartier cheers than
greeted us.
Headed by Mr.. Hunt, they carried
: he .h..ri fs ~. L.. ....-...... -.