The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-11-09


and Tod dropped behind.
IF l see any of them autobilers goin'
too fast, shall notify yea" called out
Tod after the retreating marshal.
Eyes, or ye can arrest 'em yourself,
if ye want to-" answered Hank. mo
law again it. But ye'd better be care
full. 1t takes some one with show
of authority to bring 'em to halt"
"Well, I'll let ye know if I see any
of EN-" said Tod, as he kept on with
halting pace.
The days came and went. Life con-
tinued the same in the MOrrlSvllle
poorhouse. There was the same soup
and tea and bread. The little excite
ment caused by the mention Of Il
Thanksgiving feast had died out. A
week before the holiday Zeke Jedell.
the superintendent. called on Thomas
Jenkins, the chairman of the board of
town selectmen.
"What'll I give the inmates for
asked Zeke.
''What did they have last year,"
asked Mr.. jenkins.
Zeke
"Beef's high and funds are low
said Mr.. Jenkins Lambs cheaper.
Give 'em lamb stew"
"They had that year before last"
ventured Zeke.
"Well. they'll forget it by this time"
reioined Mr.. jenkins.
"Humph! You don't know 'em as
we'll as 1 do said Zeke. But there
was 10 appealing from the decision of
the chairman, and the superintendent
prepared to give a big dinner of lamb
stew to his charges.
Thanksgiving was three days of.
Even Sarah Tooker. most hopeful of
all, had given up and resigned herself
to lamb stew. TIE others. after the
brief delights of an almost wild :ntici-
patton, had fallen back into their usual
apathy.
But some new spirit seemed awak-
ened in Tod Elkum He slept less than
usual, and when True kimball wanted
him to engage in the usual game of
checkers one afternoon Tod declined.
"What We goin' to do:" asked True.
II got little matter o business to
tend to down the road" answered Tod.
and he hurried away as fast as his
legs would carry him.
He was muttering to himself.
eff it works. there amt any reason
why we sha'n't all have turkey" he
was saying, softly. eff I've only got
gumption enough to do it. And I will
have! 1 will! Just to think-a lamb
stew for Thanksgivin'! l never re-
allied before what it meant. It's all
along o. Sarah lockers suggestin' it.
Tod walked along the State road
scanning the fence closely. The wealth
er, although crisp, was clear. and there
was no sign Of snow YET. The autumn
was late that year, and coaching and
automobile parties from the cities neal
Morrisville were frequent.
Il guess that'll do" said Tod, as he
took hold of long. heavy rail. From
his pocket he pulled some rope, an6
then he fastened one end of the raj
to a fence-post, loosely, so that il
worked as if on huge hinge. The1
he hoisted the rail high in the air, up
right. fastening it there by light pole
used as a brace.
of rope, and then,- holding the end Of
the cord in his hand, he took his posi-
ton on the other side of the road, neal
the fence.
''My spring traps all complete now,
he said, with a chuckle. "Tm ready
for the game when it comes along"
Any one who watched him nigh
have wondered what sort of game thu
old man hoped to catch. He sat fcl
| nearly an hour, resting his weary bacl
against the lowest fence-rail The driei
leaves on the forest trees il the wood
to his left rustled in the cool fall wind
In his rather THU garments the oil
| man shivered
Suddenly from down the road sound
ed a cry, like flock of wild geese il
| fight:
Honk! Honk! Honk!
| -"There she blowsv' cried the oil,
man. jumping up. 'Now for my trap
| If it only worksr'
Around a bend in the road came
big red automobile. 1t was speedin;
along, the gay party in it laughing an,
talking.
| Fifteen mile an hour if it's q foot,
muttered Tod. He drew in his breat
sharply. His hands trembled. but Ii
steadied them, and then he gave tn
cord sudden "yank." The long raj
fell with a clatter and bang RICH
across the road. The path was Ell
fectually blocked.
The man at the steering-wheel CAV
a yell. He pulled some levers with
suddenness that brought the big ma
chine up with culver of brakes.
What do you mean?" asked the ma
at the wheel, angrily. 1--WE NIGH
have smashed that rail if I hadn'
stopped
Il calculated ye'd stop.' said the oil
man, coolly. THAT'S what I nut til
rail there for
"Well, you must be crazy" said th
man. lifting up his big goggles. "Wha
in the world did you want us to sto
for?"
"Exceedin' the speed limit" reptile
Tod, sententiously. "Goin' faster
ten mile an hour. I'm delegated b
tn town marshal to rest ye," he wen
on, simply. ''Hank Wright; mebbe Y
know him."
mo, don't" rejoined the chauffeu,
Grossly,
I'm s'prised," rejoined Tod. "Wel
it don't matter. He's delegated me t
look after such peoples you, ridi,