The Lamar register., 1919-10-22
We Scapegrace:
BY EMMELINE L. FORSTER

They were orderly homespun people
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 well behaved sons wondered If
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 penltent the next day that the suf-
ferers through his mischief were ready
| to forgive and nearly everybody loved
him.
II was when Larry went to the cross
roads among a rough crowd that the
bottled up vim and hllarity with which
he overfiowed wis freely distributed
upon returning to his native heath. He
lived with an uncompanionable crotch
ETY. old grandfather, who allowed
him to drift unrestrained 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 20 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
q whole year at n time. instead of once
In q while" sighed Dolly Prentice. the
storekeeper's daughter.
'Yes. all right. what then. Dolly7"
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. II
was early Monday morning when Dolly
Prentice gasped ami trembled as the
nrst customer of the day entered the
store. "Oh. have you heard about
Larry Matheer' she questioned. Hes
in. Mt last"
''In-wherer' asked Dolly. q quick
catch In her voice.
'In jail. The marshal locked him
up At midnight. It's robbery. they
say-burglary and all that"
"Neverl" cried Dolly Indignantly
Larry wouldn't touch a cent not his
owni"
"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
plunder 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 barred room be-
hind. group gazed upon Larry. who
was smiling. undaunted. The sages
came with 81 told you so." explana-
tions. Ultra conscientious persons
passed the grewsome prison with
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
Ms nitNlng IHceS ehLeu nnst tne mars.
and handed through them this one an
apple, that doughnut. and one tiny
urchin toothsome lunch put up by
the mother who owed the childs life
to the bravery of Larry In a runaway
accident. And Just at dusk Dolly tear
fully appeared and broke down utterly.
Don't cry. Dolly" said Larry "I'm
through"
'Yes. ! see you are sobbed Dolly:
''all through, indeedi"
81 mean with idleness and the cross
roads. I've had my warning. Soon as
I'm out I'll prove 1t to you
"As soon as you're out-oh. Larryi
will you ever be out agaiET
I'm Jiffyv' declared Larry brightly.
Miss Waltham saw the robber and is
coming tomorrow TO Identify me.
Watch her, I wanted a days time to
ix things right for-for a friend"
Hes not the man I saw through
the screen from my garden an
nounced the rich old spinster
But your money and Jewels were
found in his possession" observed the