Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-01-14
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LaWrie's Chicken Thief


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"If we can only succeed in pleasing
Mr.. Jessup, he is quite sure to choose
Bardtown," said Mrs. Tate at the
breakfast table. Remember, chill
dren, that Il depends upon our 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
we?"
Indeed we DON'T chorused the
children. 1--WE Just hate Fenwick."
And besides" added Lawrie, ''if
we don't have good school here,
how are we going to prepare for col
lege2"
You see" their aunt went on,
your Uncle Darius Being the minis
ter, we shall be expected to entertain
Mr.. Jessup. want every one of you
children to promise to be good and to
do whatever you can to help"
We Wilt" 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. beiag the Oldest, felt called
upon to boss the rest of the children,
and he did it without fiinching. Sam
did not mind it because he never
cared to be leader. but Ethel and
Don did, and they did not bit relish
doing just as Lawrie said. The eli
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 defiantly, taking a bite.
you know Aunt Abble wouldn't
let you." Lawrie went on.
she never said so, :, declared Don.
"Oh-oh!" cried Lawrie accusingly
She didn't" said Ethel. ''and
you're just too dreadfully bossv for
anything. Lawrie Tate. Aunt 1 Sic
never said anything more than she
thought two pieces might be bad for
us, and
Ethel was interrupted by Frances.
the old oolored soek. at the door. her
wool fairly staAding on end, and the
whites OF her eyes showing wide in
fright.
Il ies' done bring in de wood I'm
de pile. an dey S man in de chicken
tousel" she gasped.
ichicken thieyesl cried Lawrio.
springing up. Il just expected some
fellow would be along after l bought
those Plymouth Rocks. We've got to
catch him, boys--eome on"
Lawrie took his uncle's rife. which
mad been loaded for many year;
Sam a heavy hickory cane. and Don
the poker, while Ethel and Frances
brought up the rear with a long piece
of clothesline to tie the thief when he
was captured.
Walt 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.
If we get him, he continued in
whisper, 7 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 we get cause no
may show fight
Lawrie took command now. with
out question. Most of the chickens
belonged to him.
Sure enough, as they neared the
ehicken-house there was commotion
among the chickens, and the shadowy
form of man could be seen.
Draw back into the shadowtp or
dered Lawrie. as he advanced can
tiously, the shawl llnfolded in readi-
ness TO throw over the mans head
Just at that moment the thief unex-
pectedly appeared at the corner Of
the chicken house. and Lawrie almost
fell into his arms. With rare pres
enee Of mind, however, he shouted IN
gruff, manly voice. and with uner-
ring aim threw the shawl over the
thiefs head. Then the others rushed
up, and in minute. before the thief
had time to collect his thoughts. he
was tightly Nsopsa " with clothesline
and the shawl firmly fastened down.
Now, said Lawrie, still in his
gruff. manly voice, you come right
along. I've got shotgun here, and
II you dare to open your mouth i,lft
pepper you" The man tried to say
something, but Lawrie poked him in
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 lock
the house door and the procession
headed down the road toward Sheriff
fIasdy's house.
hAheffelt uncomfortable. She was
yeEySsorry for the man. even il he
Te.e thief, 50 bundled IN that he
70 stumble along under Lawrie's
7ce, and somehow. as they
on her conscience troubled
for taking the man SO com
sares.
he said. perhaps he'd
able IT,