The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-11-01

a yell. He pulled some levers with a
suddenness that brought the big ma
chine up with qHver of brakes.
what do you mean?" asked the man
at the wheel, angrlly. 1--WE might
have smashed that rail If 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 up his big goggles. "What
in the world did you want us to stop
for?"
"Exceedin' the speed limit" replied
Tod, sententlously. "Goln faster'n
ten mile an hour Pm delegated by
tn town marshal to rest ye,' he went
on. simply. Hank Wright; mebbe We
know him"
mo, don't" rejoined the chauffeur.
GROSSLY,
"Tm s'prised," rejoined Tod. "Well,
it don't matter. He's delegated me to
look after such peoples you, ridin'
Eastern the law allows"
Have you a badge?" asked the
chauffeur, suddenly.
Tod hesitated for an instant. He
thought of Hank Wrights 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
I'd advise We to submit peaceably.
"Ye see," he continued, feeling that
some explanation was necessary, 81
amt been long at this business. 1 live
over at the poorhouse, an this is my
own idea for raisln' funds for gettin'
a Thanksgivin' dinner"
"What in the world has stopping our
automobile got to do with Thanks
giving dinner?" asked the man with
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 peaceable and pear in
court, for l represent the law, that's
what I do" and his wrinkled and
scanned old face, kindly as it always
was, took on queer, stern look.
There was 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 a half now, and
I'm goin' to stay here till get enough
for a good turkey dinner. Be ye ready
to go to the Justices office"
Eyes, we'll go along peaceably," said
the man with the goggles. won't you
get in and ride with us?"
"lf yell promise not to go Eastern
the law Allows" agreed the old man.
We'll go slowly" said the chauffeur.
Thereupon Tod removed the fence
rail, and gingerly climbed into the au-
tomobile. There was a 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.
IL rested 'em," said Tod, proudly,
to the gaping crowd of villagers. 81
rested EN-, squire. with my patent
automoble-stopper," and he chuckled
at the remembrance.
Squire Bascomb opened court grave
ly.
"Are You sure they were 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 were 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 pocketbooH 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 have 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 .hat was crisp and crinkly
into Tod's hand.
ITS 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 a dinner as they had at the
Morrisville poorhouse three days later!
Never such plump, brown turkeys,
never such rich gravy and dressing,