The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-03-17
CALLED OUT OF TOWN
BY JOAN BUGGY.


swered
"Oh, pShaw, Well, anyway, I'm 60
ing To take chance. This is Saturday
and know you are not going to be
In the Office
"Well?"
Get tickets for the matinee, won't
you?"
Il had planned to 90 fishing
II just thought so. that's why I'm
heading you off. Now be clever, Jack,
and say yes. It's the best show of the
season"
/ Jack knew il and began to soften. Il
/ don't know, sis. I'll see"
That's the spirit, big brother. You'll
! thank me some day for saving your
life. It's too cold 10 fish. You'll get
pneumonia. And jackie" she paused.
/ What is it?'
Get three"
He smelled a mouse. "Why-"
FLO Van Burcn'S here"
He exploded. 81 thought there was
| niger in the woodpile"
"All right. Jackie. Wen be at your
office at two. And do be in an amia-
bic mood. Flo is dying 10 meet YOU"
I'm not going TO spoil a perfectly
good Saturday afternoon trying To en-
terrain a fool girl" he declared to him.
self. I'll get the tickets and leave
them here, but I'm going fishing
Which he did.
He went home after lunch. changed
his clothes for all the old things he
could find in the attic, rubber boots
and all, and went out the back way
across lots, down the road and across
country to the river. No one saw him
except Susan, the second maid, who,
looking out of her own window, saw
him leave the yard.
IF those tramps don't stay away
from this place" she said, I'm going
to ask Mr.. Newton 10 get a dog"
In the meantime Claire and her
guest went to Jacks office promptly at
two On the table was note with two
tickets incloSed. "SOrr-, not to be
with you. but was called out of town
on business. Have a good time. Jack"
THE beast" cried Claire well
We'll 20 to the theater, anyway. by
ourselves. guess we'd better hurry.
What time is it,"
Flo pulled back her cuff to look at
her watch. "Why, lit isn't here.
haven't got it; it's gone"
Florence"
"YeS, sir. I've lost it And dad gave
ii to me when | graduated"
Claire looked her distress. ooh. I'm
so sorry, dear. 1t was the handsOmest |
one I've ever seem"
Claire called up the house. ut that |
you. Susan? Will you look and see If |
Miss Van Buren, left her watch there? |
Look all around, everywhere, I'll wait"
In five minutes Susan returned mo, !
Miss Claire. | don't see it, was just
thinkin'. / saw tramp leave the
house while ago and I'll bet he stole
It,"
Claire screamed. whats wrong?"
cried Flo.
ITS gone-Stolen! Susan says n
tramp took it. Tn going to call up
the police" Which she did.
Jack Newton, sitting peacefully by
a bridge and putting at his pipe, heard
the clatter of hoofs. Looking up he
saw three black uniformed gentlemen
in black helmets riding his way and
evidently interested in him.
Brown hat turned down. old gray
suit and red sweater. It's him." said
one, riding quite close.
"Yes, it's me-" answered Jack, "and
I wish you'd shut up and go away.
You're soaring all he fish"
You're the fish we're afteS, my
man." answered the other. "Stand up ~
We're going TO search you"
They turned out poor Jacks pockets.
And there was the watch, One of the
policemen held it up triumphantly.
Here's the watch he stole from the
Newton house. Come along with u.s."
But | didn't get that watch in the
Newton house. found 1t there on the
bridge"
Tell that to the judge Just now
shut up and come along"
There was nothing else to do, so
Jack went.
He would get no hearing until Mon
day he knew, so he tried bribery. "Say,
bobby, when you telephone to the New
tons that you found the watch, ask
Miss Claire to come to the station. will
you? I'll see that you get something
nice for It,"
"All right, I'll see what I can do"
So at five o'clock Claire and Flo ap-
peared and were taken to the prison
er's quarters.
Jack" screamed Claire.
He grinned. Did they give you the
watch? l found it on the bridge, but
they pinched mesfor a tramp"
That's where we got out TO fix the
tire" both explained at once.
Jack, this is Miss Van Buren,. But
I'll introduce you better when you're
out Of this hOrrid place. You've made
a nice mess out of things this after
noon. Now don't you wish you'd gone
with u.s."
And while Claire went away to hunt