The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-12-09
CHAPTER v.
A Caucus as II Was Planned.


main street. There was
Isl cottage at the end Of lane,
y4EsSS!y tree empowered, neat with
fresh white paint and blinds of vivid
green. An old man sat in an armchair
under one of the trees. He wore gold
earrings and an old style coat with
brass buttons.
Uncle Charette," explained the
duke, as they passed him. simply a
lawn ornament"
He led the way into the house with
out knocking.
"And this is Aunt Charette," he vol
unteered In the center Of the spotless
forenoon ponderous woman rocked
In her huge chair and knitted placidly.
She was q picture Of peaceful pros
perity in black silk gown and gold
bowed spectacles.
"And here's the nature Of Aunt Cha
rette's institution" He pointed to an
open cupboard in which there were
many bottles.
"Oh. your local liquor agency" haz-
arded the chairman.
"No, sir! Aunt Charette's own dis
pensary for the ills of the mind and
fatigues Of the body and run accord
ing to my own notions. 1t beats your
bar and white jackets, Luke. or that
solemn farce of cheap liquors and
robber prices Of the state agency sys-
tenn. You come In here, II you are
not a drunkard or minor or pauper
and Aunt Charette knows 'em all
and you go to the cupboard and get
your drink, or you go out there In the
storeroom and get your bottle and
hand the change to Aunt Charette and
walk away. No other rumshop tolerat-
ed in the section, and pocket peddlers
run out of town on rail! No treat
ing, no foolishness, no fraud. rays
her fine twice year without going to
court, the same as you. And no ex-
tras" He smiled at the chairman Sig
nificantly.
mo extrasw unused Mr.. Presson en-
yiously. "You must have different
crowd of county officers than we've
got down our way" "
"Perhaps So" admitted the old man,
and then he allowed himself'a bit OF
boast, "but the secret is. you see, this
little institution is something I've TAX
en- under my own wing"
1t was IN illstarred moment for that
honest boast. There came a thump-
ing Of feet In the hall. The man who
hurst in was flushed and sweating
and excited.
"rm glad you're here. SQUIRE he
panted. you're Just In the nick
time. They's going to jump on the old
lady, High Sheriff Niles and his posse.
They amt more'n ten rods behind,
jigger wagon and all"
The duke of Fort Canibas stared a
moment at the herald. Aunt Charette
raised her eyes to her protector with
the air of one secure under the wings
OF patron saint and went on knitting.
..They certainly do mean you this
time. Thelismer!'' said the state chair
man. "Discrediting your pull In coun-
Nv politics an hour before your caucus.
some one is showing brains"
InOrnIOU bOt
"How in blazes have they pulled
over the sheriff." demanded Presson.
But the old man merely stared at the
door.
High Sheriff Niles entered at that
moment. He stood on the threshold
and scowled. He was a stocky man.
who had been butcher. His face was
blotched by ruddiness resembling that
OF raw meat. Behind his cockaded SILK
hat pressed the faces Of his aids. The
little yard was filed with men VINO
peered In ut the windows. A big truck
wagon was creaking as Its horses
backed II to the door.
"what nre you after here. NilesT'
demanded Thornton.
AFTER this stock Of rum. There's
> Hwarrantl' The sheriff clnpped the
paper across his palm. Take the stun.
boysw He waved his hand ut the
cupboard. His men trudged into the
room and made for the cupboard.