The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-09-02
THE SHERIFF'S
STRATAGEM
By M. QUAD
Copyright 1915. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.
By M. QUAD

long hill was overtaken by man on
horseback, and after salutations had
been exchanged he observed that he
was In no hurry and would get down
to smoke pipe with me. After awhile
he announced that he was the county
sheriff and was then on his way to re-
capture prisoner who had broken out
Of Jail at Smithville the night before.
The prisoner lived in cabin short
distance down the road. and as we fin
ished our pipes and logged along the
officer suggested that | call with him
and witness the performance.
But is the fugitive a dangerous
MANI" | asked
That's according to how you take
him." was the answer.
And how do you mean to take him ?"
"Oh, III be sort of soft and gentle
with him, and If there is going to be
any shooting you'll have warning In
time to get out"
1t was summer time, and when we
reached the cabin the escaped prisoner
sat on the doorstep with a shotgun
across his knees and a pipe between
his teeth. His wife, who was also
smoking. sat on log near by having
the family ak close at hand, and the
pair never even looked up while the
sheriff was dismounting and hitching
his horse TO tree. l got the wink to
await developments. and we took seats
on stump within twenty feet of the |
door and filed our pipes for another |
smoke. Neither the man nor his wife |
paid the slightest attention to us or we /
to them. and thus stood the situation |
for quarter of an hour. Then the |
fugitive began to grow uneasy, and
after bit he said:
Tom, l reckon yo hev come for
mel"
"Skassly, Bill. skassly," replied the
sheriff as he looked up in seeming sur
prise
If yo' hev I'll never be tooken back
to that Jail aliver growled the fugi-
tive.
| glanced at the wife. and the look
on her face and the way she fingered
the ak told plainly that she was ready
to stand by her husband in case he
needed help.
Don't cit oneasy." advised the sher-
f. Then he began to tell me about
he county Jail 1t wasn't so much to
ook at from the outside and lots of '
,eople thereby got wrong impression
# it. One must become a prisoner to 7
appreciate that Jail.
The beds were of the best.
The fare was that of hotel. E
Once a day the sheriff came in and s
elated all the outside news. 3
Euchre decks and cigars and plug to- F
acco furnished free Of charge. E
Visitors admitted any time of the E
ay or night. and they could stay as
'ng as they desired. &
Once every week there is a big en- 8
ertainment. either a vaudeville show +
r mighty fine concert. III
why, Bill" we heard the jail break 8
rs wife say to him. you never dun 81
lie me that the Jail was like this" III
Dog my cats. but didn't know It E
yself!' he growled. 8
ITS better than bein' right yere at &
| =
ome.''
And then the sheriff went on to say E
AT when holidays came the prisoners
IT such feast as few men outside
'er got Besides mince pie and fried
'sters. there were ten cent cigars to
1oke and champagne to drink. 8
But Bill must have mistook about
- said the wife.
Mrs. Baker. hate to say anything #r
wife about her husband" answer Fl
the officer. but must tell you that Fl
never had any one in my Jail so or Fl
ry as your Bill. He was kicking like E
newl all the time" 81
But wanted to git outer JAIL" said &
L. III
OF co'se you did-of co'se, and why? FL
u found the other prisoners so fur Fl
owe you in education and manners Fl
It 1t was uncomfortable fur you" Fl
Bill can read and write his name" e.
isted his wife. -I.-
YesY
And what's the matter with his =,
nners?" NH
will tell you after you first tell me -.
y every one was glad when he broke ..R,
and vanished. They made me tir,
mise when l came away this morn "
not to bring him back. They are
,hty sorry fur you Mrs. Baker, but -
Y haint got no use for any SIGH crit
as your Bill"
And you wasn't lookin' fur me?r A
iously asked Bill.
was. but it was to tell you that A
can't come back to my Jail no mo-. cent
sab. you can't. If l catch you ,irc,
nnd there'll be big row" lion,
Bill. you are gwine right back to info
jail" said his wife tba
sorry, Mrs. Baker but | can't take str,t
Gree
'ut ! say he's got to go! ! hain't a nj,
ne to stand for folks sayin' we are anot
down" Cp
.es I'm gwine right back" growl- orrac
he husband a.,
ou are out, and you'd better stay tort,,
II be hanged If willw cp
lease let him go back with your TIFI
both
e sheriff seemed to be bordering %