The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-24

IA home Officer Grady walked
NH over to lift his cap politely and
IL to help Marie across the street
with her empty market basket Two
blocks up Officer Dowd carried her
basket two blocks off his beat to
where Officer Herman held up the traf
fic both ways while she described the
chicken pOtpie she intended to make
for dinner. All this was, first, because
the Widow OKeefe's husband had
been the most popular man on the
force and, second. because Marie. plain
of feature though she was. had found
in herself an unexpected knack for
pleasing policemen.
In the market June's maid, compan-
ion and protector wandered from stall
to stall. selecting her tiny purchases
of fruit and vegetables. She was just
deciding on the tremendously impor-
tant selection of the chicken itself
when suddenly an avalanche of fam
ing color fell upon her and a voice
cried:
You. Marie? Wha's Miss Junie2
say. wha's Miss Junie?"
Aunt Debby! Her two fat black
hands We're gripped on Marie's arm.
A crowd began to gather Immediately
Marie Strengthened herself stif1y.
al do not know your she declared.
You don't know mel" Aunt Debby
wheezed, her broad bosom jumping up
and down. You say you don't know
mel Amt Debby? Amt you Ma
rie?"
Marie with q sudden jerk freed her.
self from that earnest grasp and would
have been far down the street had II
not been for the thickening crowd
Aunt Debby. plunging forward with
unbelievable agility, threw both arms
around her.
What's the matter here?' The
gruff voice of big policeman.
II want that woman took in CHARGE
painted Aunt Debby, and she rolled her
eyes.
"Oh. you dor And the officer of the
law turned on Marie an eye which was
perfectly ready to be suspicious iu
spite of its disinclination. Whats the
charger"
The voice of Aunt Debby rose shrilly
triumphant:
''She done stole my pocketbookr'
1t was Marie's turn to look astounded
"Oh. she did. When? Here in the
marketY
"Yas, sir. she did Right up hyah al
the chicken standr'
We'll. what's that on your arm?
And Aunt Debby's eyes dropped as She
saw the stern gaze of the policeman
fixed on the rusty old hand bag which
gripped her thick forearm. She had
forgotten that detail III her planning
"Open it up" ordered the officer, whu
opened it himself Ii had bills ana
silver in il. Aunt Debby's reading spec
tacles and her farsighted ones. some
peppermint fozenges. brunette face
powder and a tea biscuit
"Well-weli-weIlr gulped Aunt Deb
by. her. eyes batting. 'Sshe done stole
my other pocketbook"
That's enough growled the officer
mo negro ever mad two pocketboOks
What have you got to say miss?'
And be was quite respectful to Marie.
81 don't know her, Mr.. Officer
smiled Marie.
You, Marie" screamed Aunt Del
by, you say you don't know meT"
Go on about your business" On
dered the big policeman.
81 don't leave this spot without this
girl!' declared Aunt Debby. plantin
her fists on her hips and spreadin
her feet apart Then the outrage
majesty of the law asserted itself.
Hey, Billyl Call the wagonT
yelled
please don't arrest herP' begGe
Marie
She was too late; the wagon ha
been called.
SORRY, miss" said the officer WI
had first interfered, .'but this part
went too far" And he turned to hel
toss the culprit In.
"Oh. Mr.. Dowdw The voice of Nj
rie was suddenly bright and care free
The three policemen who had bee
assisting Aunt Debby turned quick
as officer Dowd pushed smiling
through the crowd to the side of Nj
rie.
Whats the trouble?" he inquired.
Marie whispered her explanation.
Let the smoke go. boys" requests
Officer Dowd carelessly. Its all
mistake
Nov you hiker' ordered the polio
man and gave Aunt Debby poke
the ribs.
Slowly she waddled to the chicke
market, where she found her bask
intact in the stall of the poultryma
and slowly she walked up block
the adjacent avenue. where stood Il
Moore limousine.
Jerry she called as she climbt
breathlessly to her seat by the drive
Il done seed MarieI And whah 81
goes Miss JUNE Tsp
The car was already started.
'Where7" asked Jerry, all quiveriI
eagerness.
Aunt Debby's eyes rolled. She cou
talk no more. but she made circull
motion with her hand, and Jerry u
derstood.
There seemed to be small profit In Ct
culating, and after a few minutes
this tedious process Aunt Debby, wi
seemed to be tremendously prolific
ideas today. said:
"fistah NedF'
To Ned's they drove, and within d.
minutes after Aunt Del,by's excited :
port Ned Warner and John Moore al
three long and Ianky detectives we
headed for the market, with Jerry al
Aunt Debby up In FROM. At that pol
they scattered, and It was Ned who
Inquiries after Marie led all the vi
IL Officer Doud