The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-01-19
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LaWrie's Chicken Thief
Observation-Disclosures
Ely MAY STUART.

Bardtown," said Mrs. Tate at the
breakfast table. Remember, chill
dren, that it depends upon u family
almost entirely whether we have the
new school and library buildings, or
whether they are given across the
river. I'm sure we none of us want
Fenwick to get ahead of our town, do
WEE"
Indeed we DON'T" chorused the
children. I'VE just hate Fenwick.'
"And BESIDES added Lawrie, eff
we don't have a good school here,
how are we going to prepare for col
lege?" ....
"You see," their aunt went on.
"your Uncle Darius being the minis
ter, we shall be expected to entertain
Mr.. Jessup. I want every n of you
children to promise to be good and to
do whatever you a to. helr."
I'VE will" chorused the children
readily.
"Mr. Jesup is expected tomorrow
morning." added Uncle Darius.
"Your aunt is going with me to
Chatham this afternoon, and we will
not be back till late. Be sure to take
good care of everything
Telling the children to be sure to
feed the chickens and fasten the barn
up tight after Ezra MIXED the cow
and fed the horse, Uncle Darius and
Aunt Abbie departed.
Lawrie, being the oldest, felt called
upon to boss the rest of the children,
and he did it without f%inching. Sam
did not mind it because he never
cared to be a leader, but Ethel and
Don did, and they did not bit relish
doing just as Lawrie said. The CHI
max came at supper. Ethel helped
herself to a second piece of fruit cake
and Don followed suit.
"You can't have two pieces of
cake" said Lawrie cheerfully.
"Just watch and see if we can't"
replied Ethel defantly, taking a bite.
"You know Aunt Abbie wouldn't
let you," Lawrie went IN. ....
"She never said So" declared Don.
"Oh-oh!" cried Lawrie accusingly.
"She didn't" said Ethel, land
you're just too dreadfully bossy for
anything, Lawrie Tate. Aunt Abbie
never said anything more than she
thought two pieces might be bad for
US, and
Ethel was interrupted by Frances.
the old colored cook, at the door, her
wool fairly standing on end, and the
whites of her eyes showing wide in
fright. -
81 jes' done bring in de wood I'm
de pile, an dey S a man in de chicken
house!" she gasped.
Chicken thieves!" cried. Lawrie.
springing up. 81 just expected some
fellow would be along after I bought
those Plymouth Rocks. We've got to
catch him, boys-come on"
Lawrie took his uncle's rifle, which
had been loaded for many a year;
Sam a heavy hickory cane, and Don
the poker, while Ethel and Frances
brought up the rear with a long piece
of clothesline-t to tie the thief when he
was captured.
wait a second" said Lawrie, as
they went noiselessly out the front
door, and he ran back in the sitting
room and got Aunt Abbie's shawl.
eff we get him." he continued in a
whisper, II shall throw this over his
head so he won't see we are only
children. and then we can tie him all
right. You two women stay back a
ways until W. get him-'cause he
may show fight"
Lawrie took command now, with
out question. Most of the chickens
belonged to him.
Sure enough, as they neared the
chicken-house there was a commotion
among the chickens. and the shadowy
form of a man could be seen.
Draw back into the shadow" or
dered Lawrie, as he~%advanced eau.
tiously, Ihe shawl unfo4ed in readi,
ness to throw ove the Nman's head
Just at that moment the thief unex-
pectedly appeared at the corner oil
the chicken house, and Lawrie almost
fell into his arms. With rare pres.
ence of mind, however, he shouted in
a gruff, manly voice, and with uner.
ring aim threw the shawl over the
thief's head. Then the others rushed
up, and in a minute, before the thief
had time to collect his thoughts, he
was tightly wound up with clothesline
and the shawl firmly fastened down.
Now" said Law"ie, still in hi:
gruff, manly voice, you come right
along. I've got 4 shotgun here, anC
if you dare to open your mouth II
pepper you" The man tried to say
something. but Lawrie poked him i,
the ribs with the shotgun.
You're going to Jail and the quiet
er you are the better" added Lawrie
Then he instructed Frances to loci
the house door and the procession
headed down the road toward Sheriff
Handy's house.
Ethel felt uncomfortable. She va,
very sorry 20" the man. even if h
were a thief. SO bundled ur that h,
had to stumble along under Lawrie'
guidance. and somehow. as the.
walked on he- conscience troubled
her a little for taking the man 50 COM
pletely unaTares.
"LaTrie," she said. perhaps hc't