The Grit-advocate., 1905-11-03

;
at the wheel. anGrily I'VE might
have smashed tha. rail il l hadn't
stopped"
Il calculated ye'd stop" said the Old
man, coOlly. That's what ! put the
| rail there for
well, you must be crazy" said the
man. lifting mp his big goggles What
in the world did yen want us to stop
/ fOr:"
"Exceedin' the speed limit replied
| Tod. Sententionsly. Coin Eastern
ten mile an hour. I'm delegated by
tn town marshal to rest yc," lie went
on. simply, Hank Wright; mebbe ye
know him.
NO. don't" rejOined the chauffenf,
Grossly.
I'm sprised," yeioined Tod. "Well.
it don't matter. He's delegated m. 10
look after such peoples you. ridin'
faster'n the law allows
Have YOU badge asked the
chauffeur. suddenly.
Tod hesitated for an instant Re
thought of Hank Wrigh's big shining
nickel star, The emblem Of his author
| ity as town marshal. and his face fell.
Il amt got any badge" he said at
last ''There amt but one badge in
town. and Hank Wright wears that.
He's the town marshal. But he's give
me the authority to arrest We. and so
Id advise We TO submit peaceably.
''ie see,' he continued. feeling that
some explanation was necessary. Il
amt been long at this business. l live
over at the poorhouse. an this is my
own idea for raisin' funds for gcttin'
ThankSgivin' dinner"
'What in the world has stopping our
automobile got TO do with Thanks
giving dinner" asked tile man wifi,
the goggles.
"Why. there's ten dollars fine for
goin' Eastern the law allows" eX-
planned Tod. "Half goes to the town.
an the other half is divided tween
me an Squire Bascomb. So ye'd better
come long peaceablc and pear in
court. for represent the law. that's
what l do. and his wrinklcd and
scanned old face, kindly rs it always
was. took on a queer. stern look.
| There was a brief whispering among
the occupants of the automobile.
Il might add that all we was goin'
| to have for ThankSgivir' dinner said
| Tod. was lamb stew. I've as good as
earned two dollars and n half now. and
I'm goin' to stay here till get enough
| for good turkey dinner. BE ye ready
to 20 to the Justices otfice:'
Yes. We'll 30 along peaceably.' said
the man with the goggles. won't you
get in and ride with us:''
"lf yell promise not to go faster'n
the law allows agreed the old man.
well go slowly" said the chauffeur.
ThereupOn Tod removed the fence
rail. and gngerly climbed into the au-
| tomobile. There was little furry Of
excitement when the big. putting ma
chine drew up in the village before the
office of Squire Bascomb. although the
fining of drivers of the machines was
not infrequent in the town.
81 rested 'em,' said Tod. proudly.
to the gaping crowd Of villagers. Il
rested 'em, squire. with my patent
automobile-stopper.' and he chuckled
at the remembrance.
Squire BascOmb opened court grave
ly.
Are you sure they We're exceedin'
the speed limit: he asked Tod.
"Well--" began the old man. slowly,
for he had not counted on having to
give evidence, technical evidence at
that.
"Oh. yes, we We're going rather fast"
admitted the driver of the machine. in
response to a nudge from one of the
women. 81 think we will plead guilty"
and he pulled out his pocketbook and
laid ten dollars on the sQuire's desk.
Don't do it again. cautioned the
magistrate. severely, as he took the
money and handed Tod his share. The
old mans fingers trembled so that he
almost dropped the money.
'Where are YOU going now?' asked
one of the ladies in the automobile
party.
I'm goin' back for more game" re-
piled Tod. "I've got TO have bout
five dollars more before I'll have
enough to buy turkey for all of us up
to the poOrhouse."
Get in and We'll take YOU back"
said the chauffeur. softly. and he
seemed to haze suddenly taken cold
Once more Tod rode in the big red
machine. This time It went straight
up to the door of the almshouse and
when the man at the steering wheel
helped the old man down he pressed
something that was crisp and crinkly
into TOd's hand.
'1ts for Thanksgiving" he said. as
Tod gazed at the generous bill: and the
man in goggles wrapped his coat about
him, for it was quite chilly.
Such dinner as they had at the
Morrisville poorhousc three days later!
Never such plump. brown turkeys.
never such rich gravy and dressing