The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-10-16
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BY EMMELINE L. FORSTER !


In and around Pebbleford, all but
Larry-Larry Mathee. SO wild and ir-
rational were some of the freaks of
this unique character that parents
with we'll behaved sons wondered II
after all good deal was not due to
Larry in the way of example of warn
| ing. He could upset the little settle
ment over night and appear so docile
| and penitent the next day that the suf-
ferers through his mischief were ready
to forgive and nearly everybody loved
him.
1t was when Larry went to the cross
roads among a rough crowd that the
bottled up vim and hilarity with which
he overfiowed was freely distributed
upon returning to his native heath. He
lived with an uncompanionable crotch
ETY. old grandfather, who allowed
him to drift unrestraned for the pres
ent and neither thought of nor cared for
his future.
Larry's freaks were more Of the
needless school boy order than in any
way VICIOUS or criminal.
you'll go just once too often down
among that registering set at the cross
roads," was the prophecy of the town
marshal.
EVERY man there is my particular
friend and would lay down his life for
me-" asserted Larry staunchly.
IF you'd only keep respectable for
a whole year at time, instead of once
In while" sighed Dolly Prentice, the
storekeeper's daughter.
''Yes, all right, what then, Dolly?"
eagerly questioned Larry. "Say some
word of promise and let me try the
new tack" but Dolly shook her pretty
head dolorously.
So Larry went his way and Dolly
mourned, and one Saturday afternoon
Larry, with his months hard earned
wages in his pocket. started Jauntily
In the direction of the crossroads. 1t
was early Monday morning when Dolly
Prentice gasped and trembled as the
first customer of the day entered the
store. "Oh, have you heard about
Larry Mathee" she questioned. Hes
In, at last"
"In-whereT asked Dolly, quick
catch in her voice.
an Jail The marshal locked him
up at midnight It's robbery, they
say-burglary and all that"
"NeverW cried Dolly Indignantly.
Larry wouldn't touch cent not his
own!"
"He has, this time" persisted the
customer. "A cent! oh. my, not that
but thousands! Larry broke into the
Waltham place last night and took
everything In sight. They found the
| plumber on him and when he got his
head clear this morning all he told
the marshal was: Bring. on the trial
| quick, and get through with it,"
That was bustllng day for the
town. Its jail comprised the Office of
the marshal with a barred room be-
hind. A group gazed upon Larry, who
| was smiling, undaunted The sages
came with II told you So" explana-
tions. Ultra conscientious persons
passed the grewsome prison with a
shudder. But the children, the petted
! favorites OF this audacious monster of
| crime-there were tears in the eyes Of
their hero and champion of the past
as plying faces gazed past the bars,
| and handed through them this one an
l no u
urchin a toothsome lunch put up by
| the mother who owed the child's life
to the bravery of Larry in runaway
| accident. And just at dusk Dolly tear
fully appeared and broke down utterly.
Don't cry, Dolly" said Larry; "Pm
through"
Eyes, see you are" sobbed Dolly /;
"all through indeed !"
| II mean with idleness and the cross
roads. I've had my warning. Soon as
I'm out I'll prove it to you"
"As soon as you're out-oh, Larry
will you ever be out againT
"In jiffyw declared Larry brightly.
Miss Waltham saw the robber and Is
coming tomorrow to identify me.
Watch her wanted days time to
fix things right for-for friend"
Hes not the man | saw through
the screen from my garden" an
nounced the rich old splnster.
but your money and jewels were
found In his possession" observed the
marshal.
IF you'll speak with me alone.
Miss" said Larry. "I'll explain how
that was"
She was the sole auditor of the
story--how 1t was Ross Burdell who
had committed the theft-Ross Bur
dell, who had become half demented
by the loss Of his wife and three chill
dren all within the space of year
Unhinged by his great sorrow, eager
TO get away amid new scenes, had
been driven to crime. Larry Mathee
but friend, indeed, had come upon
him just after the theft. He had
shown him the frightful error he was
committing He had half Of his salary
left which he gave Burdell to take him
10 distant point, promising to return
the plumber.
And he'll make a man of himself
trust mel" declared loyal Larry. "And
that's my bent now, too"
The word of Miss Waltham was suf
fcient to sustain the innocent Larry
A year later when, stranger to the