The Elbert County tribune., 1905-11-02
TOD" ELKUM'S
AUTOMOBILE TRAP.
By Howard p. Garis.
q q q q q q q q q

'em:''
4 was, and finin' 'eni. too.- said
Hank. firmly. There's penalty of
ten dollars for exeeedin' the speed
limit. Half Of it goes 10 the town and
the other half is divided between the
marshal making the arrest and Squire
bascomh There's good two dollars
and a half could have had just as
well as not
ITS somethin' like fishin',r consoled
Tod Better luck next time
I'll 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 see any of them autobiiers goin-
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
full 1t takes some one with a show
of authority TO bring 'em to Il halt"
well. I'll let we know il | see any
of en- said Tod. as he kept OH with
halting pace
The days came and went. Life con-
timed the same in the MorrisviIIe
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. A
week before the holiday Zeke Jedell.
the superintendent. called OH Thomas
Jenkins, the chairman of the board OF
town selectmen.
"Wbatll l 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.
We'll they'll forget it by this time,'
rejoned Mr.. Jenkins.
"Humph You don't know 'em as
well 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. 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-
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 mutterlng 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 viii. 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 yer. The autumn
was late that year, and coaching and
automobile parties from the cities near
Morrisville We're frequent.
Il guess that'll 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 fence-post, loosely, so that it
worked as If on huge hinge. Then
he hoisted the rail high in the air, up
right. fastening it there by n 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-
tion on the other side of the road. near
the fence.
my spring traps all complete now.".
he said, with a 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 mar hoped to catch. He sat for
nearly an hour resting his weary back
against the lowest fence-rail. The dried
)eaves on the forest trees in the woods
to his left rustled in the cool fall wind.
In his rather thin garments the old
man shiyered.
Suddenly from down the road sound
ed cry, like dock of wild geese in
fight:
Honk! Honk, Honki
"There she blowsr' cried the old
man. jumping up. Now for my trapi
If 1t only works.
Around a bend in the road came n
big red automobile. 1t was speeding
along. the gay party in it laughing and
talking.