Evening star., 1901-06-08

a shock and there was but one thing to do.
fly for DR.. Poddy, who lived two miles
away on the Meltonville road.
Sam Dodds, the duly elected constable
of Bradley Hollow, with two assistants,
vas cutting bean poles on the mountain
road when Jim Colcord, with eyes bulging.
plunged from the brushes into the road
with a crash.
obadiah Gimiey's killed his wife and
dumped her into the COW stan,' spiutt cred
Jim, between breaJhS. Il seen him. She's
all cut up
There was something convincing in the
hoy's excited manner, and presently the
party of four were in the partly loaded
wagon dashing toward the Hollow as fast
as the spawned legs of the old horse would
permit AS they turned the corner into
the village they saw Obadiah emerging
hastily from his yard eSS cunning up the
ied by Jim, made rush for the barn.
shes in thar" said the boy. pointing {
the corn huSks
Dodds. who was IN advance of the others.
peered into the shadowy spot designated.
One look was enough. The limp form lay
with head back and throat exposed. The
molasSes streaks on face and neck were
convincing enough in the twilight OF the
place. Dodds turned and stopped the
others.
Don't look, boys Good Lord! it's awful
Come on! Well have him afore he can
get away"
They FASTENED TO the wagon Far up tho
road was Obadiah. going fast as his
long legs would carry him. Dodds lashed
his horse to run. The springless vehicle
careened from side to side, scattering
diah was making his best speed for the
doctors they had soon overtaken him.
Whats up. Sam?" asked the surprised
Obadiah as the constable sprang into the
road and confronted him.
We're wantin' ye, Obadiah. and wantin'
We pad! Jest git into the wagon quiet like
and save yerself a heap o trouble
My wife's wantin' the doctor"
yer Wife'l never want nothin' agiu,
reckon, except funeral fixins.''
The three seized the dazed man and de-
spite his kicks and protestations boosted
MIN into the wagon. Joe Fox sat on his
Dodds lashed the horse toward Metonville
and the town lookup.
1t was far along in the afternoon when
there was a commotion in the Gimley cow
stall. and Mrs. Gimley's broad face rose
slowly above the corn husks. while she
gazed wonderingly at her surroundings.
She sat for awhile picking bits of husks
and oadhsaa hen feathers from her cheeks and
She finally arose, shook out her skirts
and walked unsteadily into the house
Memory came dimly back as she saw the
broken pitcher on the floor. The smell
face. reflected in the looking glass, caused
her to gaze in dull astonishment. and she
sought the services of the washbowi, soap
and comb quickly as possible.
In a short time the kitchen and Mrs.
Gimley were both as slick and tidy as
usual. and she, In immaculate apron and
cap, was seated in her comfortable rocker,
trying to concentrate her hazy thoughts
and solve the problem of the COW
stall. She was bit fustered and surprised
when span of horses and carriage were
driven into the yard and three men
alighted.
My name is Muggittt. ma am" said the
eldest of the three. advancing with
business air. I'm the coroner from Mel
tonville This is DIR. Squipmett, and this
is Mr.. Perkins D. Jones, editor of the Mel
tonvile Trumpet.
Mr. Gimley is not home He be home
1 think pretty quick" said Mrs. Gimley.
Il don't know about that Mr.. Muggitt
rejoined. "The a-the corpse is still in
the cow stall 1 suppose"
Walt one minute" said the Trumpet ed
itor taking tablet and pencil from his
pocket Now you may answer, ma am.
The question was, is the corpse still in the
COW Stall?'
What corpse?"
Why. Mrs. Gimley's," said the coroner
I'm Mrs. Gimley."
Yes, just so,' said the editor, "a reia-
tion. I s'pose-but we mean Obediah Gim-
ley's wife"
I'm his wife" said Mrs. Gimley, he eyes
opening wider.
The EDITORS jaw dropped and he forgot
to write the answer. The three looked at
each other.
This is. one Of Gam Dodd's very funny
jokes" said DR.. Squimmett, sarcastically
Funny, eh? Well. now, he'll change his
whistle before I'm done with him. scowled
the irate Trumpet man. his visions of a
scoop" rudely blasted. I'm show him
up in the Trumpet next week, the slab-sid-
ed incubus"
The three men departed leaving Mrs
Gimley staring after them~in foggy bewil-
derment. A worrying dread crept over her
hot n%L r., h.,1 ~.
What brought those men? And why did
they talk about corpse? The afternoon
wore on and evening. and Obadiah did not
come. The anxious woman, unable to con-
troll her emotions longer, bust into tears
''Oh. my poor Obadiah! I didn't mean
to do so bad. Heaven forgive me-" She
buried her face In her hands and sobbed
nervously.
lookup on the coroner's return. had has
tened homeward and now stood at the win
dow fumbling his fringe Of whskers and
contemplating his sorrowful wifes demean-
or with visible emotion.
Poor creetur,' he snuffied "'twan't her
fault. She didn't know.
He entered quietly and laid his hand
upon her shoulder. She looked up and
with a cry of glad surprise, folded her
arms around him, sobbing harder than
There. mother: don't cry" he said
gently.
You amt mad by me, Obadiah" she
asked.
Bless ye! not mite" he answered as
suringly. Il got nothin' but Christian feel
in for everybody" He reflected for a mo-
ment, then added, Except Dodds L
reckon have due respect for officers O. the
law" continued Obadiah earnestly but
when 1t comes to settin on mans STUN
mick 1t gets to be a pussonal matter, and
Sam Dodds Is goin' to get the all firedest
lickin' in these parts the fust time 1 ketch
him alone"
How 1t is Settled.
From the Chicago Post.
well, the question of revoking saloon
licenses seems to be settled at last"