Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-03-02
Reeves Wins His
Reward
By CLAIRE SMITH

Whiz!
Around the corner came the auto
mobile, driven at a reckless rate OF
| speed. There was a cry, sharp and
terrified, then a ringing clatter. There
| was loud crash, and the village
marshal a square AWAY came sprint
ing to reach the man who had pre-
cipitated a double disaster.
The whirling machine had only
grazed fair young girl because
chance pedestrian hastily pulled her
back from death. The corner Of
parcel she carried however, was
struck by projection of the auto and
dashed to the sidewalk.
The driver of the auto leaped to
the ground quickly. He ran over to
the young girl.
she is not injured. Thank heaven!"
he cried fervently. Then he saw the
official approaching. His face grew
grave. evil he stop me?" he asked
of the young man who stood half sup
porting the girl.
"He certainly WILL" was the definite
reply. you were exceeding the speed
limit recklessly and they are very
severe here. You will have to go to
court"
impossible! My friend,"' cried the
man. Il am on vital urgent mission.
The seconds count and delay may sac
ritice a human life.
"Quick then" spoke the other, and
he touched the long auto buster his
companion wore.
"What do you mean?"
'Pll take your place. OFF with it,
Go"
The next moment Willis Reeves
wondered what stirring impulse had
actuated him to assume a penalty for
person he had never seen before.
The machine sped away.
The young girl recovered from her
half dazed condition. She tottered
over to where the parcel had been
dashed to the ground. 1t clinked and
clattered She opened it, gazed at
break and ruin and sat down on the
SulU1 NlylIlS IL llCI HCdII WOulu
break. The breathless official came
dashing up to the spot.
"Was that your automobileT' he
demanded.
"I'm responsible" replied Reeves
evasively.
"Then you are under arrest. This
dangerous running has got to be stop
ped. Wen make an example of you"
Willis said nothing He was led to
the little courthouse Of the town.
Fate had been hard with him for
some time past. A skilled craftsman,
he had lost his position in the city
through the failure of his firm. Now,
homeless and friendIesS. he was with
out money. Then had come the pres
ent episode.
The man who had unprecedented
Reeves knew sufficient of the case to
testify as to excessive speed. The
stern-faced judge listened and de-
livered his dictum:
"Fine one hundred dollars and
costs"
Il have no money whatever" con-
fessed Reeves frankly.
II feel sure the fine and the loss to
the young lady will be adjusted soon,"
was all that Reeves would say.
"What are we going to do, If the
prisoner has no money to pay his
fine" propounded the marshal.
"The rock pile, of course-hell have
to work it out"
The next day Miss Eta Morris
came to the place while the men were
eating their coarse dinner fare. She
engaged Reeves in conversation. She
learned the true story of the automO-
bile episode.
The next day she brought him
warm meal. A tie Of rare friendship
began to grow up between them.
The fourth day Reeves saw the
marshal conducting lady down the
road. He pointed to Reeves and the
lady approached.
"You are the gentleman who was ar
rested instead of my brother" she
said.
Reeves smiled whimsically, with a
glance at his dust laden garments and
his bruised roughened hands.
"Oh, my friend! my friend!" cried
the lady, and seized one poor wounded
hand and kissed 1t. II am the sister
of the man you so nebly served. He
was on his way to my dying father.
with the last possible medicine that
might help him. It has cured and
saved him. In his anxiety my brother
forget you, hut telegraphed me. We
can meter repay you. And now, take
me to this Miss Morris,
II have paid Miss Morris for her
loss" said the lady, as she rejoined
Reeves. u will also give her some
large art orders. AS to you, best Of
men, shall place in the bank a sum
sufficient to start you In business"
mo, no." began Reeves.
SIT must be- And shall tell you . /
secret?" inquired the lady with a hap
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