The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-10-04
Retaliation
By WILLIAM CEiAMBERLIN

I've heard a story about certai
orator that will bear repeating. The,
say that when he was in college b
was member of debating societ.
and was on debating team chosen T.
meet team from another college TO
the intercollegiate championship.
When this young man came hom'
on vacations he was used to spending
a good deal Of his time with girl wh'
lived in the adjoining place to his ia
theirs. Both places were in the coun
try, with large grounds about them
The college boy used to go out In the
rear Of his home and practice elocu
ton. When he was not practicing elo
cution he was talking soft to the CIR
next door. Young fellows of that pc
riod in life, especially collegians, DOM
mean anything when they spoon with
girl, and the governor-we'll cal
him the governor, since he afterward
became the chief executive Of one OF
the Unitnd States-didn't mean any
more than other boys of his age who
pretend to be in love.
One afternoon-the governor was GO
ing back to college the next day for
his senior year-Grace from her win
dow saw him Grating In a wood at the
back Of his home. She could see his
gestures, but could not hear word he
said, not even a sound. ANY one who
has thus seen a person addressing an
audience must have been impressed
with the absurd appearance he pre-
sented A smile came over the girls
face, which suddenly gave place to the
expression of an idea having entered
her brain. Going to telephone, she
took down the receiver and called
number.
lis this the county insane asylum"
"Yes, ma'am."
II think one of your patients must
have escaped. At any rate, there is a
young man back of the house next to
this who is talking to himself and fling
ing his arms about wildly"
The person at the asylum took down
the address and hurried away.
Not ten minutes had elapsed before
a couple of men in buggy, with the
letters NJ. G. A. 5. painted on the
side. drew up In front of the governors
home and, passing through the
grounds, saw the governor In the POI
sition that had been described to them.
Walking slowly and carelessly toward
him so as not TO excite his suspicion
of their intent, as soon as they came
near enough TO him they sprang for
ward and pinioned his arms. or course
lie was greatly astonished, asked a
lot Of questions and made many pro-
tests. The men paid no attention TO
either, but, one at each of his arms,
walked him through the grounds to
the road where the buggy stood.
Now, 1t happened-that's what Grace |
said, It happened that she was looking
out of her window as the prisoner was
walked by in the adjoining lot. When
they came opposite her she called out:
whats he been doingy'
'Loony," replied one OF the captors.
This was the first the governor knew
Of the reason for his arrest. The cause
Of his being considered lunatic dawn
tu ulDu nilu ut Tic Sdiit llint.
Really. gentlemen" he said, trying
TO laugh. this Is very funny. Grace.
explain, please"
What did Grace do but withdraw
from the window without word. The
governor looked az her, first with as
then with anger, then with
terror. He was hustled 20 the buggy,
placed between the two men and driy-
IN away.
Before they reached the asylum
Grace had got out a pony cart and
driven there herself by a shorter route.
At the Office she Informed the man on
iuty that she was the person who had
-elephoned about the maniac next door
md had come 10 tell them about him.
few minutes later the two asylum
men with the governor drove up aud
entered a waiting room. Presently
Grace came in raised a pair OF glasses.
through which she stared NJ the pris-
'ner, then dropped them and said:
IAN right: that's the man"
Grace" cried the governor, for
heavens sake, what does this meant"
But Grace walked away. evidently ,
sot inclined 10 argue with a mailman. :
ls soon as she was outside. however. /,
he told the keepers that she was quite {
ure the man was harmless-indeed, 4
he regretted having caused his cap
ure-and, after considerable vouching ]
or his being merely queer. persuaded .
he authorities TO release him, agreeing
o drive him home In her cart
The governor was put IN the cart
y his captors. looking BY this time !.
'ositively dangerous. Not a word was !.
poken TN the pony had battered hts 4
title hoofs on the stones for half a :
nile. III
Il presume" said the governor. that
Ou think you have done something
cry smart
I'm sorry. Forgive me- .
There was no sorrow IN her tone and
% pleading IN her request 20 bs for
iven-
What was sald during the rest ~ the 4
rive hoTne vas never revealed. The :
werner left the next day for college
rlth q nea IN his ear u breaks
lan NJ b i,e teafsn ~ woman. ana !,
be governor at the Christmas holidays
rent home readY 20 bend the knee ].
} TIE girl Who. - BE- expressed u. he'd /,
-.