The Owosso times., 1921-07-01
An Accusation That
Proved False
By HAROLD sINCLAIRE
as, l.zl. western Newspaper Union.)

the town board of Creston, everybody
seer.ed pleased, except John Ward,
For one reason, Ward "also ran"
Twice before he had been elected du-
ring the past four years, but he had
developed Il grOuchy, cross-grained
way Of thinking and acting, and even
his friends had become antagonizec.
"The idea of that upstart taking my
place !" rallied Ward. Why, he's hard
" lived here long enough to be cit
izen. II! drive him from Creston, or
go myself"
The homes of the enemies. If such
they may be called, adtoined.
"He has got on his high horse too
late for lne," young Elmer Barry ad- !
vised his father one day. "Ceciile, ms
daughter is the dearest girl In the
world; we have become engaged, ana
when we get ready we are going TO
marry"
Yes" assented Mr.. Barry, II do not
know Il more estimable young lady,
fear, rhough, that you will have some
opposition to encounter"
What Is the matter with the man.
anyhcw?" questioned Elmer i nave
TO patience with him. Last week ne
nearly killed our dog for chasing ball
nls boy was rolling"
| Perhaps" said gentle Mrs. Barry
"that strayed son of his has soured ms
nature. They say he has got into all
Kinds of trouble"
"He drove him away, as l get it, ex-
plalred Mr.. Barry. "If it's anything
it's remorse."
Ward soon after that found out
about Elmer and Cecille. Then she
was kept practically a prisoner in the
house.
Right on the heels of this came a
secret-a secret known only FOR the
time tc Mr.. and Mrs. Barry. At the
rear of their yard was small, unused
barn. 1t adjoined the chicken yard.
For several mornings Mr.. Barry had
got up early. He made hasty and COW
ert visits to the barn, carrying pas
get and padlocking the door strongly.
Ward had been unusually pestlfer-
Gus of late.
Two evenings he sat on his front
porch bawling out. an indirect accusa-
ton against his neighbor concerning
nalf a dozen fancy chickens that were
missing. From his own porch Mr.
Barry heard him say:
"Tye stood it long enough. If those
chickens aren't back in my coop by
tomorrow I'll digrace Barry, l vow
Will! I'll spring surprise on him
that will give him a STARTER"
Mr.. Barry had just left the dinner
table the next day when ring came
at the door bell. AS he answered II
he was somewhat astonished to hnd
nj the door his irascible neighbor and
the town constable.
"I'm sorry, Mr.. Barry" said the lat
ter in a tone almost of distress, "Dut
the duty is imposed upon me of serv'
ing you with search warrant"
"I think understand" rejoined Mr.
Barry, with a smile. "You are bouno
, to insist that l am a chicken thief
, Mr.. Ward?"
, "I don't know that but your &C
, tions are very suspicious"
"Mr. Ward" he said almost agitated
D ly. 81 beg Of you not to persist In TINS
3 uncal!ed for action of yours"
.'Uncalled for, eh?" snarled Ward
!, "we'u soon see about that"
Y They made their way to the barn
e With grave face Mr.. Barry unlocked
a the door.
!, Upon cot supplied with clean, com
r Portable bedding lay thin. wan-face'
young man. He struggled to his fee
e weakly.
/. II was the runway, Bryce Ward. l
e would be impossible to depict tn
: amazement and then the ungovernabl
t wrath of the hardhearted father.
J. "Why, Mr.. Ward" exclaimed the oil
n ficer. sit Is your son! He is wante
r on an old charge here"
a, 'eThen do your duty!" roared tn
e heartless parent. "He has made hi
t. ped. now let him lie IN it.
d Mr.. Barry induced the constable
ID accept bail for his prisoner, sent Bryc
away to q new country and new lit
paid his forfeited bail bond, and War
neard of 1t.
IN That was the final breakdown fc
OF the infiexible old man. When, mont
In later after keeping all his kind deco
n to himself as far as possible, Mr. Ba
mt ry wrote a pleasant note to his col
IT. science-stricken neighbor, the cappir
OF stone was reached.
"a 1t told that he had a fine bushes
DR. offer In another town and was goir
MT TO resign his Office. He said he wou
lie not 60 away until he had helped
re elect his successor, Ward.
he Some people learn their lesson la
ct in life. 1t was so with Ward,
'g- changed man through the patience al
ed humane love of a good man. His FIR
ng acknowledgement of his great mistak