Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1911-05-25

over.
"Here-stop-what have you donel"
exclaimed Miss Mildred at the coach.
man as she realized that there had
been an accident Of some kind.
only an old goose, Miss" was the
reply, though the horses were checked.
But we'll see about the old goose
Just the same!" announced a farme,,
and the owner Of the bird ae he
stepped from his gate. Young lady,
your coachman deliberately drove over
that %gander!"
"But he didn't get out of the way!"
protested the coachman.
Neither did you. That goose had
as much right to the highway as you
have. I was watching, and you didn't
turn out an inch"
~ am willing to pay the value Of the
goose" said Miss Mildred ae she
opened her purse.
Very we'll, miss. My price is $50!"
What! What! Fifty dollars for q
goose!"
Don't you give him over so cents!"
put in coachee.
Fifty dollars, miss, and not a cent
less!" said the farmer as he set his
jaw. 81 don't set that value on him
simply as an old gander, but because
he has licked a fox and a hawk In a
fair fight. One night, when a robber
was trying to get into the house this
old gander gave the alarm. | had only
to watch his actions to tell the wealth
err three days in advance. oh, YES,
you will have to pay the $50, and l am
letting you off cheap at that
Put | won't pay it," famed the girl.
1T is simply ridiculous. III pay a dol
lar and no more"
Not another cent" added the coach.
man.
Very we'll. am a constable. and I
arrest you both for malicious destruc-
ton Of property. Drive to the village
and ! will have you arraigned in
COURT"
W%hereupon he climbed up beside the
driver and gave the word to go OIL.
Had he not declared himself an officer
he would have been pitched out. To
pitch an officer from a carriage on his
head into the highway Is no joke In
law. The coachman was glum, and
the girl bit her handkerchief to keep
back the words OF "sass" that rose to
her lips. and the remainder of the
drive was not enjoyed by anyone.
On arriving in the village the car.
riage was driven straight to the office
Of a Justice Of the peace, and Miss MIL
dred's feelings passed from indigna-
ton to fear.
Just how the briefless young lawyer
happened to be in the village need not
be explained, but he was there and
saw the carriage and came to know
what had happened. After ten min
utes talk with the %coachman he en-
tered the courtroom to nod to the girl
prisoner, and to- inform the justice
hat he was her counsel in the case.
Then and there occurred an episode.
The prisoners were a%rraigned, and the
Lawyer Chester drew a long breath
and prepared to do or die.
The killing of the old gander was
admitted. 1t was admitted that he was
the property of the plaintiff. 1t was
ouIiil''Cu Nhot bC huu q lS6ui
right on the kings highway. but there
was the question Of value. Even In
the city Of New York, at Thanksgiving
or Christmas time. a tough old gander
was not worth over a dollar In the
market. That sum had been offered
the owner and rejected.
Fifty dollars for a goose? Whoever
hon rt ~ Tho HLn1 Tho napLlipn ~
geese saved Rome. but not one OF the
flock brought owe two dollars after.
wards. Malicious destruction OF goose
life? Why, his clients were not aware
that such a gander was in existence!
That gander had fought a hawk and a
fox. but it was that same b~elligerent
spirit that had brought about his
death. He was more Of a menace to
the highway than the carriage.
Mr.. Chester spoke for an hour. lie
waved his arms. He Numbered. He
quoted decisions. He appealed. He
won his case and went over to the girl
smiling.
Just like my uncleT she laughed.
"Yes, this is my first case, and It ia
about a goose"
And your next, let us hope"
will be about a young lady, and
feel that | shall win that!"
Miss Mildred blushed and turned
away. The case may not be called for
some little time yet. but Mr.. Chester
has confidence in the plea he has pre-.
pared.
A Parable.