The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1931-07-03
= Z. .s.s Z. Z. Z. &
Bashful Sheriff Won
by Clever Ruse
By JACK WoODFORD
&c, 1884, Mcclure Newspaper syndicars.,
(WNU Service.)

lQea, primarily. 1t 0ad worried MIN
for some time that the widow Watkins
would live far out On Maple road,
half mile from another house, near
to the railroad tracks. Buns were al
ways riding the freights in from
Omaha; and they usually dropped off
the cars, short of town, and walked
In, so as not to be caught by the
railroad detectives always alert in the
yards.
And In winter weather, with hard
times sweeping the country, they were
plenty tough. The widow Watkins
house offered shining mark for them.
1t was neat, small house; 1t looked
as though the one in it was pretty well
off. If they watched, and discovered
that she was alone in the house
in that house there was plenty that a
tramp might be interested In. Food,
shelter, perhaps some money; possi-
bly, valuables that could be turned over
for cash in hook shops. The widow
didn't like dogs; and she loathed tele-
phones and she was afraid of
firearms. 1t was bad business. She
ought to be made to take some meas
ures for her protection. And, beside,
the sheriff was personally interested
in the pretty widow, since he was a
bachelor. Tonight he started out with
Walter Bundle, the grocer. They
drove to within a block Of the house
got out. Bundle was to go up
to the house; make suspicious noises,
rattle a window, as though he were
somebody trying to get in !.
Then he would try to knock In a door
when the widow was plenty
frightened, and convinced of the er-
ror of her ways. the sheriff would
drop In.
For the visit, the sheriff had worn
his Sunday suit. He had combed his
thick name of black hair until 1t was
in rigid order. He had cleaned his
nails, and had shampoo down at the
barber shop; that the widow did not
look upon him with complete disfa-
yor, he knew but so far he
had made no progress into her affec-
tions.
Everything went fine until Bundle
began to rattle a window and then
listen to hear what might go on
What he heard sent him back
to the sheriff, waiting behind a tree.
"Theres man In there with her :;
fellow with big, deep voice. He's
talking to her so loud, l guess she
didn't even hear me rattle the win
dow"
"Were they quarreling? Was he
threatening herr" the sheriff asked.
'Nope; she was talking to him In
an ordinary way. Some friend Of hers,
l reckon" The sheriff and Mr.. Bum
Bile skunk off. But, in a small town.
that was not likely to be the end If 1t.
The rumor spread. In vain did the
sheriff tell Bundle he'd knock his
block off if he didn't keep his mouth
shut. at last the sheriff, unable to
stem the tide of gossip, drove out to
see the widow. He was embarrassed
fingered his hat neryously, as she let
him into her parlor.
whats on your mind, Samw she
asked
Nothing" he told her, embarrassed
ly, "on mine; but there's plenty
don't like on the minds of others
around here. They're talking and
can't stop EN-. Listen, Mary. l amt
no great shakes at making love
that's why I'm bachelor; but hon
est-to-goodness think q lot of you.
been wanting to marry you for long
time for more than sufficient good rea-
sons now | got another rea-
son for wanting to do it. l want TO
be in @ position TO break the face OF
any man who dares to say a word
about you"
"But what do they say?" she asked
''They say that man comes out here
at night sometimes. Somebody over
heard you talking to him alone in here
at night, not long ago."
Suppose, SAM" she said, y were
to tell you that I've not only talked
to that man, but that | kissed him
lots Of times would you still
want to marry me?"
IF you wanted me more than him
sure would" Sam said; land | don't
believe nothing wrong. If you say you
love me more than him ;"
"But l don't" she said. 81 love
him more than YOU"
"Then I'll be going" Sam said. Fol
the first time the widow was interest
ed. This big, handsome strong fellow
miserable, looking Like boy who had
lost his best friend it was
too much for the widow. She said
"Wait a minute, Sam" She went
to a corner. Opened a phonograph
Put on a record. Presently Sam
heard q deep, hearty voice; there were
pauses with remarks of her own. She
turned to him when the record was
over.
my husband" she explained, "made
the record for fun one day; he was
an executive in place that manufac.
tured records. Sometimes l use the
record when see strange figures
skulking around. They hear 1t and
think there's man in the house and
go away. It's better than a shotgun
or dog"
Better" Sam asked shyly, than g
live husband?"
swell :" the widow hesitated
and then, at last, Sam got UP the nerve
to take her into his arms and kiss her
After that it was all over but the final