The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-01-21
!: The Sheriff and the
: Chauffeur.
BY ClARlSSA MACKE.
BY ClARiSSA MA
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

patches of light on the driveway. fol-
lowed by 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 a candle and proceeded to
brush her pretty brown hair.
The mirror reflected a 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 Janem belloweda voice up
the stairway. You git dressed and
come down. | got another one Of
lem chawfers down herew
Coming, father" yawned Annie
Jane. buttoning herself into a little
pink frock she had worn that afternoon.
When she entered the kitchen her
father was sitting on corner Of the
table fusslng 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
~. fto ,o1 INN1u s,,Na
| the coal scuttle
"Sit down. roared Peter Lamson. 81
reckon you don't realize you're a pris-
oner, young man: Now, Annie Jane"
he added. turning to the girl. I'm 60
| ing over to get the justice and have
| him
you better let me take you over in
my car" intercepted the prisoner
| eagerly.
! The sheriff glared at him wrathful-
/ ly. Yes. and when you get me out
! in the road you'll run away with ME
| just as IL ehawfer did with a 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 II he amt to home,
I'll get Smith. But wanted VAIN
wright TO know I'm looking after
things on the Willow road"
"Oh. say. sheriff" said the pris-
oner, Withdrawing his glance from
Annie .Iane's downcast face, ~
you keep still. young fellerv' thun-
dered Peter Lamson. unbending his
! figure to its full height. Now, you
understand that whatever you say
will be used agin you! 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
II and hung the key on a convenient
nail. Then he opened a sliding door
in the wall of the pantry
Now. Annie Jane, you set here in
front of the little door, and II that
chawfer tries to get out do you use
this weepon on him! Better aim for
his feet ThatHl stop him quicker'n
anything else" He thrust the re-
volver into his daughters reluctant
grasp.
you know I'm afraid Of firearms,
! father" cried Annie Jane timorously.
81 couldn't shoot 1t off,"
Peter Lamson bent his head until
his white whiskers brushed Annie
James pink ear. ut amt loaded" be
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 Il tall clock in the corner
chimed II.
| Put the revolver on the table If you
are afraid of 1t; | 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
rellevedly. She placed the weapon on
the table and resumed her seat.
Father is very-very conscientious"
she murmured alphabetically.
There was a distinct chuckle from
the pantry. 81 have noticed that" re-
marked the chauffeur dryly.
Father has only been n sheriff since
the first of the month";" she further ex-
planned You know there is a sign
board down the road which says that
motorists must slow down to ten miles
snd-"
"Tm aware of It, That's what hap
pened to men'
ut 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
go again They offer brides"
The prisoner blushed hotly under the
scorn In Annie James voice.
what did father say when you
tried to bride hm?" 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 said simply. HE sought
the appointment because be believed
that he had the moral courage TO re-
fuse a bride. Our new justice, Mr.,