The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-12
THE SHERIFF'S
STRATAGEM
Copyright, 1915. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.
By M. QUAD

| long hill 1 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 a short
distance down the road, and as we nm
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 himT
"Oh, I'll 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 pipe between
his teeth His wife. who was also
smoking, sat on "A 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. / got the wink to
await developments. and we took seats
on stump within twenty feet OF the
door and flled 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 a bit he said:
tom. / reckon yo' hev come for
mer'
"skassly, Bill, skassly," replied the
sheriff as he looked up In seeming sur
prise.
IF yo' hev I'll never be token back
to that jail alive!' 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 git Uneasy" advised the sher-
iff. Then he began to tell me about
the county jail. II wasn't so much to
look at from the outside and lots of
people thereby got a wrong impression
OF IT. One must become a prisoner to
appreciate that Jail.
The beds were of the best.
The fare was that OF a hotel.
Once a day the sheriff came in and
related all the outside news.
Euchre decks and cigars and plug to-
bacco furnished free OF charge.
Visitors admitted any time of the
day or night. and they could stay as
long as they desired.
Once every week there Is big en-
tertainment. either a vaudeville show
or a mighty fine concert
why, BILL" we heard the Jail break
ers wife sly 10 him. you never dun
tole me that the Jail was like this"
Dog my cats, but ! didn't know II
myselfr' he growied.
TITS better than bein' right we're at
home"
And then the sheriff went on to say
that when holidays came the prisoners
got such feast as few men outside
ever got. Besides mince pie and fried
oysters, there were ten cent cigars 70
smoke and champagne 10 drink.
But BIZ must have mistook about
It." said the wife.
Mrs. Baker. I hate to say anything
20 a wife about her husband" answer
ed the officer, hut ! must tell you that
/ never had any one In my jail 80 or
merry as your Bill He was kicking like
mewl all the time"
But wanted TO GIT outer jail" said
Bin.
"of co'se you did-of co'se, and whyi
You found the other prisoners so fur
above YOU In education and manners
that II was uncomfortable fur you"
"Bin can read and write bis name.
boosted his wife.
"Yesg"
and what's the matter with his
mannersT'
Il viii tell you after you first tel me
why every one was glad when he broke
ian and vanished They made me
promise when came sway this morn
ing not 10 bring him back. They are
mighty sorry fur you. Mrs. Baker. but
thay hain't got no use Tor any sich crit
Ter rs your Bill
and you wasn't lookln' fur me-
anxiously assed Bill
7 was. but Il was % tel you that
ron can't come back to my jal no mo-.
No. sab. ron cant II catch you
sruund there'n be q BIG row"
-Bn. you are Ewine rght back 20
nat ian said his wife
sorry. Mrs.. Baker. bot CENT tahe
him"
bot I say he's got - roi haint
rwine 10 stand for folks sayin' We arr
low down"
-Yes I'm rwins right bnek.- gro~i
81 the husband
~You are cot snd you'd better stay
OFT
-Tu - haneed ~ 7 vfn-
-rlesss 81 him g. back win yer