The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-10-16
A DEPUTY
SHERIFF
By M. QUAD
Copyright. 1918. by Associated Lit
erary Press.
By M. QUAD

SIX feet TOUT lncneS IN uelSnC anu
weighed 200 pounds. Whether 1t was
six feet four In her stockings or with
her shoes on is none Of the readers
business. She was homely as bur,
dock and as rugged as an oak. She
had voice like bass drum and the
strength Of an OK.
You may have noticed that big men
always marry little women. and vice
versa. Her deceased husband was
only five feet tall aud his weight was
Just an even hundred. When she
moved to Grand Ledge from distant
town she soon ran across Peter Hipps
and marked him down for husband No
2. Peter was five feet tall and weigh
ed ninety-eight pounds. His face was
smooth, and his voice was girllsh.
The young man was by no means
dull witted. but he was made the vic
tim of much chatting and joking. The
climax came when the sheriff Of the
county appointed him deputy. Grand
Ledge was pretty hard town. and
there were score of farmers around
who came in at least once a week and
made it worse. Peter Hipps was a
cipher to them. Whenever he tried to
exert his authority he was carried out
snd dumped into mudhole or drop.
ped of the bridge over the creek.
Sometimes he was chased out Of town
and didn't dare return for two or three
days.
The Widow Henderson heard and
saw and knew. and one day when she
met the lightweight deputy ON the
street she said:
Baby, you sure need a protector.
Shall we get married?
you bet"
And married they were next day. and
on the next the bride walked. seven
miles to the county seat town and into
the sheritf's Office to say to that official:
Il want to be deputy sheriff at
Grand Ledge"
I'm looking for some one
well. you needn't look any further
II / can't straighten the kinks out
within q month Ill resign"
"Mebbe you know ! appointed Pete
Hipps as a joke:" queried the officer.
YES, l do. and you can app'int me
the same way II you want to. but
there won't be much joking after get
started. I'll make it very solemn
business for most Of EN-"
"Well. l expect there'll be lots OF
talk about it. but you shall be dep
uty.'
The town considered that marriage
as the greatest joke for twenty years
Every time it was mentioned dozen
men booted and took another drink
They paraded in front of the brides
house and sang and swore and cat
called and scared poor Peter until be
crept under the bed and walled:
Il thought you was going to do
something"
mo hurry. baby" was the reply
I'm giving the calf all the rope II
wants. 1t amt agin the law to hoo,
around when a couple gets married"
Next forenoon half a dozen horny
handed sons Of toll came in to sell theil
butter and eggs and have some fun
The fun was to consist Of taking three
or four drinks apiece and then chuck
ing the newlyweds of the bridge to
gether Word was sent them that II
they did not appear voluntarily the
mob would pay the house visit.
well. baby. the time has come"
grimly announced the bride to thu
groom.
lord, but I'm scarf to DEATH" re
piled Peter as his teeth began tt
chatter.
"Baby, lemme tell you something
There's going to be row, and we
shall both be in it. You pin on your
badge. get your handouts and club
and we are going out to crack heads
If you don't fight like a man nine feet
high Ill take you over my knee and
spank you before the whole town
Come on now"
Pete was all a-shiver, but he obeyet
her. There were fifty men waiting IL
front OF the postoffice. and of the mum
Der at least twenty were hilarious ant
ripe for mischief.
ITO the creek! To the creek!' wa
shouted as the bride and groom haltet
and faced them.
"Now. baby" said the wife in quie
voice, 1.-THE fun is due to begin! Picl
out the hard cases and strike like tn
kick Of. a mule: lisa public spanking
II you show the white feather"
With couple Of warwhoops tina
would have done credit to Comanch'
chiefs. bride and groom sailed In. TIL
toughs were taken unprepared. Tn
clubs were welded without mercy. ant
the rabble broke and fed with hardl!
defense. They were followed ant
given more club. and then to the mum
Der Of twelve were arrested. locked u
for couple Of hours, and then takel
before the justice Of the peace AM
fined 81 each. The next day six me-
who couldn't see the point were hau
ed in and on the next three. In
month Grand Ledge looked good to ey