Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-09-30
SAVING
JIM PETERS
BY Mary Donaldson
COPYRIGHT. 1905. by Il. d. Mcclure

BY Mary Donaldson

ne er-uD-Well WHO IL Hltlcu anu con-
demned In the same breath In the
village of Chenille Jim Peters was
the man. He was constitutiOnally
lazy. was n topper from head To heel
and his wife and two children often
wanted for clothes and food Mr. Pc
tiers had been struggled with on nu-
merous occasions. Women had given
him tongue lashlngs. and men had hint
cd at tar and feathers. He had been
induced TO sign the temperance pledge
on twenty different occasions. only TO
break II each time anybody offered him
drink. and he had been provided with
work many times over. only 10 show
his general laZiness
One day when the Woman's Mission
society was holding its monthly meet
ing Aunt Hanna Davis brought up Jim
Peters case anew and declared that
something should be done. She was
given license 10 go ahead, and she pro
ceeded to 60 over the old beaten track.
Jim signed the pledge. agreed TO stop
chewing plug tobacco and 60 To work.
and he even expressed an anxiety to
"get religion" and become in time u
deacon of the church. His good resolu-
tons carried him along for two weeks.
and then lie fell down. and he fell hard;
not only that. but he boosted around
that Aunt Hanna was an easy person
TO deal with.
The good woman lived about Il mile
out of the village. having farm Of
her own and enjoying the life of
spinster. and one morning she got up.
to be told 10y the hired man that some
body had robbed the smokehouse over
night. Jim Peters was the only per-
son for ten miles around who could be
suspected, and when the hired man
told his news he added that Jim ought
to be arrested and his house searched
for the plumber.
I'VE must not accuse any one with
out evidence" replied Aunt Hannah.
ut may have been Jim Peters or II
may have been II dog I'm rather OF
the opinion that 1t was dog and |
would suggest that you get out the old
bear trap and set II in front Of the
smokehouse tonight. II dog steals
meat once he will twice. won't heT'
That's what have heard" observed
the hired man as he started for the
barn TO hunt for the old trap.
Aunt Hannah had started In TO re-
form Jim Peters In earnest mood. and
she Dragged that she would accom-
plish what others had failed TO do.
When the man backSlid she was re-
buked and criticised ON all sides. and.
although she seemed to take II In good
part she felt something OF a spirit OF
revenge.
The bear trap was oiled and set. but
Il was week before any game APP
peared. II was the hired man again
who brought her news. As he came
into the kitchen with the milk pals
he observed laconically:
well. Mrs. Davis. we have caught
the dog"
81 see." she replied after "A look from
the window.
Its a dog that looks exactly like
Jim Peters"
YES? I'll go out after breakfast
and have closer look. I wish you
would cut me three or four switches
from q peach tree before you go TO
work. II you hear the dog bowling,
you needn't stop hoeing corn on that
account"
The woman fingered over her break
Naa ha s.o4tlH aud ttshan
she finally donned her sunbonnet and
wandered out TO the smokehouse she
had several switches. pail Of water
and dipper in her hands.
Good morning. Mr.. Peters," she sa-
luted when she had come TO halt"
II was looking for my jackknife
here last night. and walked into this
old trap" he said by way OF expla-
nation.
Eyes. / see. Is Mrs. Peters wellY'
"About the same as usual"
"And the children
Hang II. why don't you call Joe up
and tell him TO get me out Of thisf
This internal trap has about cut my
leg of. II twas anybody but you I'd
have the law on 'en. Who knows how
long I'll be laid up with this legT'
Mr.. Peters," said Aunt Hannah In
very sober tones. do you remember
your promises to meT'
How am | going to keep promises
when all the town Is agin' mer You
are agIn' me. too or you wouldn't have
set this trap for me-"
"You have been coaxed. brlbed.
pleaded with and fairly bought. but
you still loaf around and get drunk.
II IL time that some other plan was
resorted 10. Drink this"
She handed him a dipper OF water.
and he drank about half OF II. He
was about TO pour the rest on the
ground when she said:
II know II has a strange taste To you.
but you'll have TO get used TO II. Don't
waste drop Here some more"
"I've had a-plcnty."
Amt Hannah rtekad nm one of the