The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-02-02
l4tss.a.E ~ ssi's
/ The Sheriff and the
/ Chauffeur.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.
BY CLAHSSA MACKE.

lowed by a dark bulk, betrayed the
arrival of an automobile. The voices
Of men raised in angry alteration
fioated through the open window.
"Oh, dear! He's caught another
one," walled Annie Jane sleepily as
she lighted candle and proceeded to
brush her pretty brown hair.
The mirror reflected lovely face,
full of sweetness and modesty, with
soft curves and enchanting dimples.
IF mother was only at home to take
turns with me-
annie Janer' beloved voice up
the stairway. you git dressed and
come down. got another one of
them chawfers down herel"
Coming, father" yawned Annie
Jane, buttoning herself into little
pink frock she had worn that afternoon.
When she entered the kitchen her
father was sitting on corner Of the
table fussing with an old fashioned
revolver. Beside him was a shotgun.
Every separate snowy whisker Of
the sheriff bristled with hostility when
he glanced toward the lawbreaker
whom he had captured.
The unhappy prisoner was lounging.
his chair tilted back against the wall.
He was also smoking a cigarette and
eying his warlike captor with good
natured tolerance. He jumped to his
feet when he saw Annie Jane, and the
cigarette performed a parabola into
the coal scuttle.
"Sit DOWN. roared Peter Lamson. II
reckon you don't realize you're pris-
oner, young man! Now, Annie Jane"
he added, turning to the girl, I'm go
ing over to get the justice and have
him
"You better let me take you over in
my car" interrupted the prisoner
eagerly.
The sheriff glared at him wrathful-
ly Eyes, and when you get me out
in the road you'll run away with me
Just as chawfer did with sheriff
down Scuogue wayi AS / said, Annie
Jane" he continued, turning his broad
back on the prisoner and addressing
his daughter, I'm going to ride over
to Justice Wainwright's and get him
to come over If he amt to home,
I'll get Smith. But wanted. Vain
wright to know I'm looking after
things on the Willow road"
"Oh, I say, sheriff" said the pris-
oner, withdrawing his glance from
Annie James downcast face, "I"-
"You keep still, young fellerr' thun-
dered Peter Lamson. unbending his
figure to its full height. Nov, you
understand that whatever you say
will be used agin you'll Do you
march into that pantry, double quick!'
The chauffeur measured the sheriff
| with a calculating eye. At the end of
minute his gaze encountered Annie
James appealing glance. Then he
bowed his head and disappeared with
in the dark pantry.
The sheriff slammed the door, locked
it and hung the key on convenient
nail. Then he opened a sliding door
in the wall of the pantry
sNow, Annie Jane, you set here in
| front Of the little door, and If that
chawfer tries to get out do you use
| this weepon on himl Better aim for
| his feet. That'll stop him quicker'n
! anything else' He thrust the re-
volver into his daughters reluctant
grasp.
.You know I'm afraid of firearms,
| fatherv' cried Annie Jane timorously.
81 couldn't shoot it off,"
Peter Lamson bent his head until
his white whiskers brushed Annie
James pink ear. at amt loaded" he
whispered hoarsely. Then, with an
elaborate wink at the girl, he left the
room.
Five minutes later Annie Jane,
crouched in the Boston rocker, facing
the pantry, heard the rattle of wheels
as her father rode out Of the gate.
Just then a tall clock III the corner
chimed IL.
Put the revolver on the table If you
are afraid Of it; won't try to escape"
said reassuring voice from the pan
try. Framed in the opening was the
good looking face of the prisoner.
IF you'll promise" said Annie Jane
relievedly. She placed the weapon on
the table and resumed her seat.
''Father is very-yery conscientious,
she murmured apologetically.
There was a distinct chuckle from
the pantry. II have noticed that" re-
marked the chauffeur dryly.
sFather has only been sheriff since
the first of the MONTH" she further ex-
planned. "You know there is sign
board down the road which says that
motorists must slow down to ten miles
and"
"Pm aware of 1t. That's what hap
pened to DneY'
at happens to so many OF them,
sighed Annie Jane. "And then father
catches them and they are SO rude.
Some Of them offer money to let them
90 again. They offer brides"
The prisoner blushed hotly under the
scorn in Annie James voice.
"What did father say when you
tried to bride him2'' she asked de
murely
HE saddle said he was the only
sheriff in the county that couldn't be
bought" said the prisoner soberly.
Annie Jane nodded Father is like
that" she aid simply. He sought
the appointment because he believed
that he had the moral courage to re
fuse a bribe. Our new justice, Mr..
Wainwright says the lives Of the geo
pie In this community shall ESt be en-
dangered by the reckless driving Of
autoists He says they shall observe
the lawl We have never seen Mr..
Wainwright, but father says he's the
right man in the right place."
The prisoner smiled somewhat grlmly.
"Of course you look at it from an
other point of view," said Annie Jane
courteously. 81 hope your employer
will-will pay the fine"
Thank you" said the prisoner
gently.
There was long silence after that,
broken now and then by the dropping
of coal into the CRATE of the cooking
stove. Annie Jane was observing the
leathern cap and goggles and huge fur
coat flung across chair. Somehow
the prisoner In the pantry did net seem
to be like the majority Of motorists
whom the conscientious sheriff cap
tured In the night watches.
As rule, the prisoners were dusty
and grimy, with oily hands blackened
and discolored. They were Of every
nationality and temperament, but one
and all concurred In that they were
unjustly detained.
This young man. however, had a
clean cut, clever face, with deter