Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-14

10 love Mics Mildred vane, though h'
took care not to lisp the fact TO anybody
Mr.. Vahe was something or other IN
life insurance company AZ that some.
thing or other brought him q salary OF
10000 A year, he could afford g mouse
In the country as we'll as one IN the CITY
Mr.. vane stuck to his horses ana car
rlage. instead Of selling them for JUNK
and doing his riding In chug wagon
He Thought Il safer for the public. In an
auto he did not know what minute ne
might run over one Of his own policy.
holders who carried $4,000 risk and had
paid but one premium on It.
It, therefore, came about that one AFTER
noon MIR Vane's coachman was driving
Mr.. Vahe's daughter over the highway
leading from home 10 the village and the
railroad depot There we're farmhouses
to pass. There were cows and pigs ana
geese aud hens to pass. Mr. Vane s
coachmsn sat up very straight and dig
nihed He had a position in the world.
Cows and pigs and geese and hens ha9
not They seemed to realize this. ana
slowly sauntered out Of the dust Into the
mayweeds.
All but one Eanderi He was full Of
dignity and had a reputation to maintain.
There was his flock looking on and walt
ing TO see II he would show the white
feather. He took his stand. and, with
|
was a brave old gander, but he went down
| under the iron hoofs of the blacks and
| met his doom. He gave forth one squawk
| and all was overl
"Here-stop-what have you donev' eN-
claimed Miss Mildred at the coachman,
as she realized that there had been an
accident of some kind.
"Oniy an old goose, Miss" was the re-
ply, though the horses we're checked.
But well see about the old goose, just
the same" announced farmer and the
owner of the bird, as he stepped from his
gate. Young lady, your coachman de-
liberately drove over that gander!'
But he didn't get out of the way!'
protested the coachman.
Neither did you. That goose had as
much right to the highway as you have.
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 WE'LL Miss My price is fifty dol
larsr'
What! What! Fifty dollars for
goose?"
Don't give him over fifty centsw put
In coachee
Fifty dollars, Miss, and not cent
less!" said the farmer as he set his jaw.
II don't set that value on him simply
as an old gander, but because he has
licked a fox and a hawk in a fair fight
One night when a robber was trying to
get into the house. this old gander gave
the alarm. l had only to watch his ac-
tions to tell the weather three days in
advance. Oh, yes, you will have to pay
the $5O and ! am letting you off cheap
at that"
But 1 won't pay it," famed the girl
1T is simply ridiculous. 'I'll pay dol
lar and no more"
Not another cent" added the coach |
man.
Very we'll. am not constable, and I |
arrest you both for malicious destruction |
of property Drive to the village and l |
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 officer 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 any one.
On arriving in the village the carriage
was driven straight to the office of a
justice of the peace, and Miss Mlldreds
feelings passed from indignation 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 10 minutes talk with
Inc coachman he entered 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. The prisoners were arraigned,
md the lawyer Chester drew a long |
breath and prepared to do or die
The killing of the old gander was adj
nltted. It was admitted that he was the
property of the PLAINTIFF 1t was further
admitted that he had legal right on the
Kings Highway, but there was the oues-
non OF value. Even In the city of New
ork'at Thanksgiving or Christmas time,
tough old gander was not worth over
| dollar In the market. That sum had
oeen offered the owner and rejected.
flrty dollars for a goose? Whoever
1eard of the like? The cackling of geese
saved Rome, but not one of the flock
brought over 80 afterward. Malicious de-
'truetion of goose life? Why, his clients
we're not aware that such gander was
n existence! That gander had fought a
lawk and fox, but it was that same
'elligerent spirit risat had brought about
his death. He Yves more of a menace to
he highway than the carriage.
Mr.. Chester spoke for an hour. He
waved his arms. He thundered. He
luoted decisions. He appealed. He won
his case and went over to the girl smil-
ng.
Just like my uncleg she laughed
Yes, this is my first case. and it is
lbout a goose"
And your next. let us hope"
VIII p about young lady, and I
eel thas l shall win that!
Miss Mildred blushed and turned away.
The case may not be called for some
lttle time yet but Mr.. Chester has con.
ldence In the plea he has prepared.
1915, nv the Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)