Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-11-04
An Innocent
"Bootlegger''
By sAIDEE E. BALLOON
q. l92O. wegtern Newapaper unLon.l


the most subtle infusion began to blum
and he retired, wise man that he was
before he bungled and lost a record O.
which in its small, but practical way
he was proud.
His fame had preceded him when he
settled down in neat little bungalow
home at Amherst and proceeded tc
enjoy life in its fullest sense. He
was rubicund, pleasant faced bache
Tor of forty then, and Miss Leona
ThraH whose house was next door to
his own felt less lonely to see him
briskly exercise in his little garden ev.
cry morning, and gather about him
every weekend one or more old
friends in the trade.
AS time went on it seemed a pleas
ure to Dale to lean over the lot fence
for a minute or two once or twice a
day as she fitted about her flower beds,
comely and neat looking in prim, dain-
ty calico and half hiding a really at
tractive face under her stiffly starched
sun bonnet.
Miss Thrall has got real beau at
last" chatted gossips excitedly, when
twice in month Mr.. Dale was her es-
cort at picnics given by the local i'm
provement and good citizens associa-
ton.
Miss Thrall had found a beau five
years before, but nobody knew it ex.
cept herself and Alex Barnes, who had
proposed, had been rejected and was
her enemy. thenceforward. He nursed
the blow to his pride resentfully, new
er spoke to her, but when he learned
of the growing intimacy with Mr. Dale,
soliloquized vengefully.
"I'll break up that some way. She
shant go glOating over turning me
down, me marshal of the town and a
substantial citizen, and hooking that
tea expert stranger just because he
has got money"
In this Barnes wronged Miss Thran.
for she was very comfortably situated
as to means. Again, she was not vain
enough to believe that Dale had any
particular interest In her-so far.
What she hoped and what Dale thought
Of her was slowly developing. Barnes
began a campaign to discredit Dale
and aroused quite some public preju-
dice against him.
why, he has a choice iamboree
with those city chaps who come down
for a riotous time weekly" he de-
clared. "They must fairly drown
themselves in drink for a servant Dale
discharged told me that he keeps
about every liquor. There is a spe-
cial room chock full of the stuff. I'm
watching his cOnsignments from the
city close, for the minute / find that
against the new law he is stocking up
fresh, I'll nab the guilty bootlegger,
you betl"
One Saturday afternoon Miss -Thrall
was aroused, almost alarmed, when
she saw Alex Barnes scale the rear
fence of the Dale place, break open
Its door and boldly enter the home.
How dare you break into Mr.. Dales
house like some theft" cried Miss
AHA very concerned for our boot
Logging friend and his gang of roy
sterers, aren't your" jeered Barnes.
What right" began Miss Thran.
"Oh thatP' interrupted Barnes IN
"This document sup
ports me-" and he waved triumphantly
legal looking document. II have
been watching this criminaf-for some
time. I have inspected bottles, glass
IS, mysterious liquid mixture shipped
him from the city. / have made nv
aid. Look at the evidences of his
guilt for yourself"
Miss Thrall was awed, shocked
Neatly arranged on shelves was
great array of bottles, eflasks and de.
'anters, labels covered half a hundred
different brands of drinkables.
mo wonder his friends liked to |
come" rallied Barnes. 'eWhy, he's |
he most outrageous booze pirate I've |
'un down yet"
so venomous were the sneers, so ma
ignant the action of Barnes that Miss
Chrall was aroused to express her |
Almost Historically she /
defended the alleged culprit, dilated
m his charitable kindness, his uniform
lightly and self respect. In the mid
lie of her exOrdium Thresham Dale
stepped into the room.
why, what is all this?' he demand I
ID and faced Barnes wrathfully. and
dandy the marshal told his story.
You laundering nuisance" roared
Dale. Il have a good mind to throw
'ou neck and heels out through the
Why, never have touched
drop of liquor in my life, couldn't
AVE followed the especial business. /
lid if l had. AS to my friends, as
Don as the county went dry got a
OF of bottles, labels and the like. put
Ip all the temperance drinks / could
'et to make a variety and the camou-
Iage and merry spirits get along just
s fine on harmless palatable root beer
nd ginger ale as they did on the old
tuff Get out"
Which Alex Barnes proceeded to do.
\ IL, Il