Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06
YELLED THE CROWD.

Bill Thompson, got too much work Try
ag'n."
suddenly. Hes the man we want. Why
didn't think of him before? He caught
the niger an he's big enough an quick
enough to catch anything. Hamp Paddle
fOrd'S the man.
'Hamp Paddlefordr' 'Hamp Paddleford"
Hes the man we want!" yelled the crowd.
"Hooray!"
Ramps hand had gone up instinctively
at the first sign of a name being called.
Now it dropped abruptly. and he stood
there with eyes and mouth wide open,
amazed, dazed.
What's it mean, SAM he whispered
hoarsely BE they foolin?'
"Shet up, you fool!' Sam snapped. Don't
give yourself away now. No, they amt
foolin'; though you needn't hold up a hand
to vote for yourself. Great snakes! with
a low, hilarious chuckle which was wholly
lost in the yelling of the voters; lit beats
anything l ever heerd of. Well take
dozen bosses stead of just two. You're to
be the sheriff who'll go off in search of
yourself. Ho! no! Bet a dollar you don't
catch yourself. Hamp!'
But Hamp did not notice, did not even
hear. His eyes were still blinking at the
crowd, his mouth was still OPEN He heard
vaguely II nominate Hamp Paddleford to
be sheriff. and a little later. "Hamp Pad
dleford is voted sheriff, to go in office to-
day."
Then he felt Bill Thompsons hand upon
his shoulder and heard his big, bluff voice
saying:
Congratulate you, Paddleford. It's a
good job for a man who amt drove with
work-you amt drove, be your" anXiously.
"N-no not very" Hamp answered, me-
chemically.
"Then it's all right" in relieved voice.
THE job'n turn you in seven or eight hun
dred dollars, mebbe thousand. And 1t
would be better if you could come an live
In village, 'twould be handler. Mar
ried?"
No"
Wants to be though Sam grnned.
Good. Bring her right down tomorrer
If you can. l know nice little cottage all
furnished that can be got Come to my
house first an let me help you get started"
But l don't" Hamp began, when Sam
nudged him sharply.
Ramps all broke up he apologized
| to Bill Thompson; him an me jest come
here through neighborliness, an never
| dreamed of no office nor nothin. Ramps
| mighty back ard bout presumn.''
| When Thompson left he drew Hamp
| aside Look here, man." he expostulated
don't you go to hintin' nothin' away. It's
| the biggest plum that ever fell into two
| fortunes If we only do things on the quiet"
| But a new expression had been coming
| into Ramps eyes.
You low it's all straight an sure he
| asked slowly; that m to be sheriff for
| good an alp
Course"
| Hamp drew a long, deep, wondering
| breath, breath which reached down to
! some germ of honesty and ambition that
| lay beyond the influence of Coon Flat.
"Then l reckon you'd better give up that
| boss stealth idea" he advised; "'cause If
you don't I'll be obleeged to rest you"
! Sam stared at him.
| REST me?" he demanded.
! Yes, amt l sheriff.
| But you're in 1t with me, man"
| Hamp shook his head gravely.
| mot any more, that way" he answered
"a sheriff has to be plumb square, an to
| look sharp for folks who amt. Don't let's
| have any falin's out, Sam, you an me;
| we're too good friends. But there's to be
| no more buttin' agin the law. Mebbe I can
| git you job with me as dep'ty some
| thin. Now let's go back to Posey."