The Grit-advocate., 1905-11-03


Hank. firmly. There's !; penalty of
ten dollars for eXceedin- the spced
limit. Half of it goes to the town and
the other half is divided between the
marshal making the arrest and Squire
Basc0mh. There's II good two dollars
and half. l could have had lust us
well as not"
ITS somethin' like tishin'," consolcd
Tod. Better luck next time"
III warrant the next one don't get
away from me- threatened Hank. He
walked on, while Tod strolled slowly
after him.
But the sturdy legs of the marshal
soon proved too fast for the older man.
and Tod dropped behind
IF l see any of them autobilprs "oin'
too fast. shall notify yer called out
Tod after the retreating marshal.
Yes, or We can arrest 'em yourself,
If We want to- answered Hank. NO
law again it. But ye-d better he care
ful. 1t takes some one with a show
of authority TO bring 'em to IL halt"
We'll. III let ye know if see any
halting pace.
The days came and went Life coll
tinued the same in the MorrisviIle
poorhouse. There was the same soup
and tea and bread. The little excite
ment caused by the mentio'. of Il
Thanksgiving feast had died out. \
week before the holiday Zeke Jedell.
Jenkins. the chairman Of the board OF
town selectmen.
"What'll ! give the inmates for
Thanksgiving: asked Zeke
"What did they have last YEAR,"
asked Mr.. Jenkins.
Roast beef and potatoes" answered
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
well as I do said Zeke. But there
was no appealing from the decision of
the chairman. and the superintendent
prepared to give Il 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. The others. after the
brief delights of an almost wild antici-
patton, had fallen back into their usual
apathy.
But some new spirit seemed awak-
Cned in Tod Elkum. He slept less than
usual. and when True Kimbal wanted
him to engage in the usual game of
checkers one afternoon Tod declined
"What We 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.
''If 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 will
have! l will. Just to think-a lamb
stew for Thanksgivin'. 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 vet. The autumn
was late that year. and coaching and
automobile parties from the cities near
MOrrisville We're frequent.
Il guess thatll do," said Tod, as he
took hold of long. heavy rail. From
his pocket he pulled some rope, and
then he fastened one end of the rail
to a fence-post, loosely, so that it
worked as if on n huge hinge. Then
he hoisted the rail high in the air, up
right. fastening it there by light pole,
used as brace.
To this brace lie tied another piece
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, near
the fence.
"My spring traps all complete now."
he said, with 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 for
nearly an hour. resting his weary back
against the lowest fence-rail. The dried
leaves on the forest trees in the woods
to his left rustled in the cool fall wind.
In his rather thin garments the old
man shivered.
Suddenly from down the road sound
ed cry, like a dock of wild geese in
fight
Honk. Honk. Ionk!
"There she blows"' cried the old
man, jumping up. Now for my trap!
If it only works."
Around bend in the road came n
big red automobile. 1t was speeding
along. the gay party in it laughing and
talking.