Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-12-10
NO. 49,.

Her shoestrings were tapping about,
she was bareheaded and her hair fly
ing as she climbed the fence into the
highway.
Mr.. Earl Depew, who lived in the
big town and had something to do
with large manufacturing plant, had
come down that morning In his auto
to see a relative, and there stood the
machine in front of the house. The
calm and unexcitable Miss Ida saw 1t
from distance and had time to lay
her plans AS she reached 1t she
climbed to the chauffeur's seat, threw
in the clutch and away she went.
The doctor was not at home, but
three miles away setting bone. The
trip back was made by another road,
and thereby they missed Mr.. Depew,
who had procured a horse and was
galoping about the country in search
of the bold-faced thief. After wasting
hours on the hunt, the young man
put the case in the hands of the sher,
iff and hied himself to town.
The cook had not poured over half
dozen pals of water over the form
of the girl on the grass when there
was a revival. No one had her neck
or any bones broken. Even a girl
cannot tumble from tree and strike
on her head and hope to escape stiff
neck for the next few days, but the
doctor thought that would be the ex.
tent of it.
Miss Ida must take the doctor home
in the stolen auto. 1t was while doing
this that they were seen by a party
who knew the doctor, but not the 9TH
er. This party telephoned the sheriff,
and an hour later the doctor found
himself under arrest.
"Why, that auto belongs to young
lady" he protested.
ooh, 1t does, eh!"
"At least Miss Treadwell came for
me with It."
"1 see. You will have to appear in
court in this case. The owner of the
machine says it was a brazen case
Of theft"
Miss Ida took the auto back to the
house and left it, but no one saw her.
Two hours later the sheriff arrived,
and, being full Of official zeal, he said:
It's state prison offense, but II
you plead guilty you may get off with
a liGht sentence. Is this the first
auto you ever stole?"
Miss Idas mother had not eau.
toned her against getting mad, and
recalling that commission the girl told
the officer what she thought of him
and ordered him from the house.
Having no warrant for her arrest he
went, but he turned to her to say:
you cannot escape the grip Of Jus.
tice."
And to the stiff-necked Miss Mollie:
And you are an accessory before
the fact and equally guilty. II you
hadn't climbed that apple tree the
auto wouldn't have been stolen.
Think not to escape me by flight"
The next forenoon when there came
a ring at the bell two trembling maid.
ems bowed their heads and held out
their wrists for the handouts.
BEG pardon, but Is this Miss Tread.
wello"
Yves"
81 am Mr.. Depew."
"Yes?"
Owner OF the auto you borrowed
for awhile yesterday. Is this the
young lady friend who fell from a
tree?"
The Ntroduction was made, and
then Miss Ida said, But I don't want
her to go to Jail. alone am guilty"
The young man laughed. mo one
Will go to Jail. hereby apologize for
my own stupidity and for the over.
zealousness of the sheriff. When I
came out and found the auto gone
thought some rascal Of boy had
taken it for a lark"
And as the three sat talking on the
veranda Mr.. and Mrs. Treadwell ar
rived home, and as they caught sight
Of Mr., Depew Mr.. Treadwell whis.
pered:
'Tf that young fellow asks me for
1da's hand, what shall say?"
Better make it yes" she laughed.