The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-09-08

Neither did you. That goose had
~ much right to the highway as you
have. I was watching. and you didn't
turn out an inch"
II am willing to pay the value OF the
goose" said Miss Mildred as she
opened her purse.
Very well, miss. My price Is $50"
What! What Fifty dollars for q
goose!"
Dent you give him over SO cents!"
pat in coachee.
Fifty dollars, miss, and not a cent
less!r said the farmer as he set his
jaw. Il don't set that value on him
simply as an old gander, but because
be has licked a fox and a hawk In a
fair fight. One night, when a robber
vas trying to get into the house this
old gander gave the alarm. | had only
to watch his actions to tell the wealth
er three days in advance. Oh, yes,
you will have to pay the $50, and am
letting you of cheap at that"
But / won't pay it," famed the girl.
1T is simply ridiculous. I'll pay q dol
lar and no more"
mot another cent" added the coach
man.
Very we'll. am a constable, and !
arrest you both for malicious destruc-
ton of property. Drive to the village
and / will have you arraigned In
COURT"
Whereupon he climbed up beside the
driver and gave the word to go on.
Had he not declared himself an oficer
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
rage was driven straight to the office
OF a Justice OF the peace, and Miss Mil.
dred's feelings pa. ed from indigna-
ton to fear.
Just how the briefess 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
that he was her counsel in the case.
Then and there occurred an episode.
,rA - c.rocorc orro;upod and fha
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. It was
further admitted that he had q legal
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
heard of the like? The cackling OF
geese saved Rome, but not one Of the
flock brought over two dollars after
wards. Malicious destruction Of goose
lffey Why, his clients we're not awart
that such a gander was In existence!
That gander had fought a hawk and
fox, but 1t was that same b~elligeren'
spirit that had brought about hii
death. He was more Of q menace tt
the highway than the carriage.
Mr.. Chester spoke for an hour. HI
waved his arms. He Numbered. Hi
quoted decisions. He appealed. HI
won his case and went over to the CIR
smiling.
Just like my u~ncle!" she laughed.
"Yes, this Is my first case, and 1t II
about a goose"
And your next, let us hope
"Wm be about q young lady, and
feel that / shall win that"
Miss Mildred blushed and turne.
away. The case may not be called To-
some little time yet, but Mr.. Chestea
has confidence in the plea he has pre-
/. uared.