The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-26
Retaliation
BY WILLIAM CHAMBERLIN

orator that will bear repeating. They
say that when he was in college he
was member of a debating society
and was on debating team chosen to
meet team from another college for
the intercollegiate championship.
When this young man came home
on vacations he was used to spending
Il good deal of his time with n girl who
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 girl
next door. Young fellows of that pc
ricd in life, especially collegians, don't
mean anything when they spoon with
girl, and the governor-we'll call
became the chief executive of one of
the United States-didn't mean any
more than other boys Of his age who
pretend to be in love.
One afternoon-the governor was 60
ing back TO college the next day for
his senior year-Grace from her win
dow saw him Grating in wood at the
back of his home. She could see his
gestures, but could not hear word he
said, not even sound. Any one who
has thus seen Il person addressing an
audience must have been impressed
with tho ahGI1r1 h.,
scented. 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.
is this the county insane asylum
Yes, ma'am."
Il 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
Il couple of men in Il buggy, with the
letters NJ, c. y. s. painted on the
side, drew up in front of the governors
home and, passing through the
grounds, saw the governor in the po-
sition that had been described to them.
Walking slowly and carelesAy 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. OF course
he 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, it 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'
"Leony." 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
w hl'cA iiiiii hI iiiC NllliC
Really, gentlemen" he said, trying
to laugh, this is very funny Grace,
explain, please"
What did Grace do but withdraw
from the window without a word The
governor looked ut her, first with as
constituent, then with anger, then with
terror He was hustled to the buggy,
placed between the two men and driv-
en- away.
Before they reached the asylum
Grace had got out a pony cart and
driven there herself by shorter route.
At the office she informed the man on
duty that she was the person who had
telephoned about the maniac next door
and had come to tell them about him.
a few minutes later the two asylum
men with the governor drove up and
entered waiting room. Presently
Grace came in. raised pair Of glasses.
through which she stared at the pris-
oner, then dropped them and said:
"All right; that's the man"
Grace" cried the governor, for
heavens sake, what does this meanY
But Grace walked away. evidently
not inclined to argue with a mailman.
AS soon as she was outside. however.
she told the keepers that she was quite
sure the man was harmless-indeed,
she regretted having caused his cap
ture-and, after considerable vouching
for his being merely queer persuaded
the authorities to release him, agreeing
to drive him home in her cart.
The governor was put in the cart
by his captors. looking by this time
positively dangerous. Not word was
spoken till the pony had battered his
little hoofs ON the stones for half a
mile.
II presume" said the governor. that
you think you have done something
very smart"
I'm sorry. Forgive me-"
There was no sorrow in her tone and
no pleading in her request to be for.
given.
What was said during the rest of the
drive home was never revealed. The
governor left the next day for college
with a flea in his ear. It breaks
man up to be beaten by a woman, and
the governor at the Christmas holidays
went home ready to bend the knee
to the girl who, as he expressed it. had
wiped the floor with him.
She sent him back much more of
lunatic than he had been when arrest
ed. but after he got his profession re-
that bis wife, not he, is the governor
and, whether or not she governs the
state. she governs the governor.