The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-02-19
The Sheriff and the
Chauffeur.
Nv ClARlSSA MAcKE
By CLARISSA MAC0.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

Literary Press. 4
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The farm gate creaked loudly, and
Annie Jane hoped out Of bed and
ran to the window. Two triangular
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
noated 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.
III mother was only at home to take
turns with me- Is.
annie janet" beloved voice up
the stairway. "You git dressed and
come down. I got another one Of
Shen chawfers down herel''
Coming, father yawned Annie
Jane. buttoninga 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 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. 81
reckon you don't realize you're a 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. "Yes, and when you get me out
In the road you'll run away with me
just as a chawfer did with a sheriff
down Scuogue way! AS said, Annie
Jane" he continued, turning his broad
back on the prisoner and addressing
bis daughter. I'm going to ride over
to Justice Wainwrights and get him
to come over. If he amt TO home,
I'll get Smith. But I 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 James dOwncast face, "I"-
"You keep still. young feller!" thun-
dered Peter Lamson. unbending his
heure to it's 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 n calculating eye. at the end Of
Il 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
1t and hung the key on 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 IF that
chawfer tries to get out do you use
this weepon on him! 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.
father" cried Annie Jane timorously.
81 couldn't shoot 1t off"
Peter Lamson bent his head until
his white wbiskers brushed Annie
James pink ear. "It amt loaded he
whispered hoarsely. Then, with an
elaborate wink at the girl, he left the
room.
Five minutes later Annie Jane
I'm the Boston rocker, facing
the pantry. heard the rattle Of wheels
as her father rode ont OF the gate.
inst then q tall clock I'm the corner
ehimed IL.
"Put the revolver on the table if you
are afraid of It; / wont try to escape,
said reassuring voice from the pan
try. Framed In the opening was the
good looking face Of the prisoner.
III you'll PROMISE" said Annie Jane
relievedly. She placed the weapon on
the table and resumed her seat.
Father is very-very conscientious"
she murmured apologetically.
There was distinct chuckle from
the pantry. 81 have noticed that" re-
the chauffeur dryly.
"Father has only been sheriff since
the first Of the month" she further ex'
plained. You know there is sign
board down the road which says that
motorists must slow down TO ten miles
and"
I'm aware OF IT, That's what hap.
pened to me!'
ut happens to so many or them,