Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-07-11
CHAPTER XIV.

aren't you Joking. Waffle" asked
Guy, whose credulity was sorely taxed
by the Judges statement.
This is altogether too serious a
matter TO joke about. Concord can
it's big loss TO have the records and
the courthouse stolen. guess well
have 10 tally one for Harmony this
innings"
This explains what Nlandingham
said TO Pinchbeck," said Guy, refec-
lively
What was that?"
"Why. that fools build courthouses
and wise men occupy them"
That's about what il amounts 10.
Harmony has the laugh on us now,
and if YOU run this thing 10 earth,
III bet you find Nlandingham's daugh-
ter at the other end Of it. She's the
only one in Harmony who'd be able TO
hatch up such a scheme"
Guy remembered how he had seen
Miss Betty in the courthouse. a tape
line in her hand, iotting down some
thing in notebook. II flashed over
him, just then. that she had been TAX
ing measurement with the view Of
consummating this coup.
"How was il done, judge" queried
Guv.
Easy enough. The Harmony folks
manufactured a pair Of long aXles and
swung each one between a couple Of
low, broad-tired wheels. There was
storm last night, if you remember.
and that was exactly what the other
side wanted. The noise Of the thun-
der and the wind, and the rain
drowned out the commotion they
made, so that no one in this town
heard them-uuless il was keeyer and
they very soon took care of him. I'll
guarantee. After they had lifted the
courthouse with jackscrews. they slid
the wheels under 1t, front and rear,
and then hitched several teams OF
horses TO it and hauled it away. You
can see the tracks Of the wheels where
they sank into the wet ground. Petit
bone and several more, armed 10 the
teeth, have started along the south
trail at gallop. But they'll have
their trouble for their pains. mark
me. Here's a notice that was left
sticking on a post near the court
house site, and, it's what ! call adding
insult 10 injury with a vengeance.
The Judge took from his pocket very
carefully a wet and bedraggled scrap
Of paper on which was written the fol-
lowing:
TO the People Of Concord, Greeting:
We needed courthouse TO go with
the weathervane. so we thought we'd
take yours. Now il you will please
build us coal shed TO go with the
courthouse, you will greatly oblige,
The People of Harmony.
Flows that for a blow between the
RIBS asked Waffle as he returned
the paper 10 his pocket.
ITS terrible setback" said Guy.
Notwithstanding the financial peril
with which this success Of the oppo-
sition threatened him. the humor Of
the situation appealed 10 the young
man and he sat down on the cot and
laughed till he choked of we don't
look out for those fellows Waffle" he
observed, finally, they'll come over
here and steal the town. wish some
one would go my bail so can get out
and do a little looking around
I've come 10 let you out on your
own recognizance, Herbert"
Flows that?"
"Im doing It on my own RESPONSE.
bi,ity. You see. told the Indignation
committee that il they kept YOU pris-
oner they'd have TO bring YOU up for
trial. After the way ! threw the law
into Liscomb they're afraid TO have me
try your case. and so they said they'd
keep YOU a prisoner until after the
election. That isn't the law the way
read II. and as Pettibone is chasing
after the courthouse and 8 I've got
key 20 this room, I thought this would
be a good time TO let you out. The
people have got their heads so full Of
other things they won't be able to
think OF you for awhile. and I'd advise
you 20 go some place-Jimtown or
Bismarck. or anywhere else you want
to--and stay for a few days until the
suspicious and hard feeling against
you have a chance to blow over"
"Tll DO It," said Guy, and shook Wat
fe's hand gratefully. "If you hadn't
released me, though, I'd have gotten
out OF here before many hours had
passed. I'm going TO Amityville TO see
IL can't win few votes for Concord"
You'll take the risk for nothing,
I'm afraid"
what risk is there?"
well Abe Landy rules the roost in