St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-11-27
Administering Justice
Copyright, by w. C. Chapman)
By Fl. r. SIDDON

minute if you care to wait for me-"
then he rushed on.
Say, mister, there's not a cop in
sight. You'll have time to get your
wind" jeered a newsboy.
The distance was not great, and at
last Owens was abreast of the man
he was after The tramp hardly rec
ognized the benevolent gentleman of a
few minutes before in the irate, fierce,
determined man who now blocked his
way.
Before the fellow could defend him.
self, Owens collared him. swung him
off his feet and began literally clean
ing off the sidewalk with him.
You're a nice specimen, you are"
Owens grunted between each shake OF
the terrorized and gasping victim.
You're good thing to be turned
loose on a charitable public. You
thought you could get the best of
Billy Owens, did you? Unlph! I'll
show you what kind of trees make
shingles."
In an instant they we're the center
of curious crowd, and by the time
Mr.. Owens had worked off little OF
his anger, the circle was divided to adj
NIT an officer Of the law.
Hello, there! l thought you'd get
around before long" Mr.. Owens re.
marked.
What's the row about?" asked tbs
policeman, laying OBTAINING hand
upon the poor wretch as Owens loosed
his hold.
AN overcoat," Owens explained.
It's chilly morning, and l don't
blame anyone for wanting one, but
what / object to is being left without
one myself. And having it disappear.
too, with a Weary Waggles I'd just
given money for his breakfast. That
was adding insult to injury. Maybe
he thought 1 was easy, but reckon
he's found out his mistake"
Where is the coat?" asked the Of
ficer.
Mr.. Owens looked the prisoner over
from head to feet and a curious eX.
pICSSIOu ud"uSu Ills ldCS.
IN be hornswaddled if the fellow
hasn't got it on!" he calculated,
slowly.
The explanation was greeted by an
explosion of laughter from the by.
ISLANDERS, in which Owens himself and
the officer joined, and even the cul'
prit's face looked less solemn for
moment, for the garment in question
now looked much more in keeping with
the thief's costume than Mr.. Owens.
Next time I turn street cleaner I'll
take care that it isn't with my over
coat" he added, when the laugh had
subsidized.
After proving that the coat was I'M
questionably his by his knowledge OF
the pockets contents, Mr.. Owens fur.
nished the policeman with his name
and address and was allowed to de-
part with his recovered property over
his arm.
He looked sheepish as he once more
seated himself at his desk. Presently
he called Charley and said: Say, my
son, if you happen to have an errand
near Dolan's any time this morning,
| wish you'd take this remnant of
coat over with you and see if he can
fix it up for me. And if you don't
mind bit of advice from an old sin
ner, just learn to keep your temper
while you're young, for" he added,
with laugh, you'll never learn when
you're old.
Yes, sir" Charley answered, with
a grin that threatened to become a
laugh. He had been an eyewitness
to Mr.. Ovens administration of JUS
tice, and had sped back to the Office
and reported the occurrence before
that gentleman's arrival.
The grin aroused Mr.. Owens suspi-
cions. He glanced hurriedly around,
only to see half suppressed smiles
on all the faces.
Boys" he laughed, 81 guess I'll
have to own that this fracas is one on
me-"
And he passed round the cigars.
An hour later he again addressed
the bookkeeper.
"Wilkey, do you suppose there ia
l could do for the poor devil?
l hope the law won't be too hard on
him"