The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-11-09

4
and Tod dropped behind.
"If see any of them autobilers goin'
too fast, shall notify ye:" called out
Tod after the retreating marshal.
"Yes, or We can arrest 'em yourself,
if We 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 a halt"
well, I'll let We know if l 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 Morrisyille
poorhouse. There was the same soup
and tea and bread. The little excite
ment caused by the mention of q
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
Thanksgiving? asked Zeke.
what did they have last year,
asked Mr.. Jenkins.
Roast beef and potatoes" answered
Zeke.
"Beefs 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
rejoined Mr.. jenkins.
"Humph! You don't know 'em as
we'll as 1 do" said Zeke. But there
was no appealing from the decision of
the chairman, and the superintendent
prepared to give big dinner of lamb
stew to his charges.
Thanksgiving was three days off.
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 antici-
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 ye goin' to do?" asked True.
81 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. "If I've only got
gumption enough to do it. And l will
havei l will! Just to think-a lamb
stew for Thankssivin'. l never re-
allied before what it meant. It's all
along o. Sarah Tooker's 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 near
Morrisville were frequent.
Il guess that'll do" said Tod, as he
took hold of a long. heavy rail. From
his pocket he pulled some rope, and
then he fastened one end Of the rail
to fence-post, loosely. so that it
worked as If on huge hinge. Then
he hoisted the rail high il the air, up
right fastening it there by light pole
used as brace.
To this brace &c tied another piece
of rope, aud then. holding the end Of
the cord in his hand, he took his posi-
ton on the other side Of the road. near
the fence.
"My spring traps al! complete now"
he said, with 4 chuckle. I'm ready
for the game when it comes along
ANY one who. watched him might
have wondered what sort of game the
old man hoped to catch. He sat fer
nearly an hour, resting his weary back
against the lowest fence-raii. The drict.
leaves on the forest trees il the woods
to his left rustled in the cocl fall wind.
In his rather thi2 garments the old
man shivered.
Suddenly from down the road sound
ed a cry, like dock OF wild geese in
| fight:
Honk! Honk. Honk!
There she blowS!' cried the ole
man. jumping up. "Now for my trap.
If it only works.
Around a bend in the road came {
big red automobile. 1t was speeding
along, the gay party in it laughing and
talking.
Fifteen mile al hour if it's ! foot.
muttered Tod. He drew in his breath
sharply. His hands trembled. but he
steadied them. and then he gave the
cord a sudden ''yank." The long raj!
fell with a clatter and bang right
across the road. The path was ef'
fectually blocked.
The man at the steering-wheel gave
a yell. He pulled some levers with 4
suddenness that brought the big ma
chine up with a quiver Of brakes.
what do you mean?" asked the mal
ut the wheel, angrily. I'VE might
have smashed tina: rail if 1 hadn't
stopped"
II calculated ye'd stop" said the old
man. coolly. That's what put the
rail there for"
well, you must be crazy" said thl
man. lifting up his big goggles. What
in the world did you want us to stoI
for%