Maple Leaf Angus
Well-known member
Soapweed said:Quite a few years ago, back when the speed limit was 55, I was in our closest bigger town for the day. They are in the central time zone, and right at six o'clock that evening I was paying for some sacked grain at a feed store. Realizing it was just five o'clock in the mountain time zone, and knowing that a mechanic shop where I did business stayed open until six, I called them to see if they could change oil on my pickup yet that evening. They agreed, but as there was still 38 miles to drive to get there, I needed to hustle right along.
Pulling away from the feed store, I drove onto the highway. Wouldn't you know it, being in a hurry and all, I end up getting in behind a deputy sheriff who lived in the same town as the mechanic. He was on his way home after working all day in the bigger town. He was driving at about 53 miles per hour, and there were two cars in behind him, who were afraid to pass. I gently urged my old pickup and carefully passed one car and then the other. Next I passed the deputy as nonchalantly as possible. Keeping a lid on my speed, I drove about 57 or 58 for a little ways. Finally I got a couple hills between me and the deputy, so I goosed the ol' pickup and really kicked into gear.
Things were going along as planned until I was within a half mile of my destination. Bearing down from my backside was the deputy's Dodge Durango, coming full tilt with sirens blaring and lights flashing. I knew I'd done been had. I stopped and he stopped. I walked back to his vehicle, and said, "Sir, you've got me dead to rights. I know I'm going too fast and sure deserve a speeding ticket. Would you be so kind as to follow me on into town to the mechanic shop so they can change the oil on my pickup while you write up my ticket?"
This deputy had made two or three trips to our ranch that spring, because my then hired hand was behind on his child support payments. I had cooperated fully with the law, and had driven the deputy across several pastures to where the hired hand was fixing fence. My good works paid off, because when he realized it was me, he said, "Oh, it's you, I'll let you off with a warning this time, but try to keep that speed down."
Breathing a sigh of relief, I continued on and arrived in plenty of time to get the oil changed on the pickup.
Soapweed, I believe that you could 'bout talk a momma bear into giving up her cubs!