The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-27
HOW WOMACK SAVED $4,000
Then His Little Daughter Claimed
Her Reward.


Albert A. Womack former county sheriff
has a daughter-a bright-eyed, fair-haired
girl OF fourteen. Mr.. Womack went shop
ping with this young lady a few days ago
and is fond of telling how it happened, and
of what happened to him. 1t appears that
the ex-sheriff's shopping tour was not solely
a pleasure trip. He was repaying an obiga-
ton under which his daughter had placed
him few days before. Mr.. Womack owns
the site formerly occupied by the North-sde
Republican Club and has just finished "a
new frame residence on the lot. The paint
ers and carpenters have not yet taken their
tools away, but the building has been COM
pleted. Mr.. Womack resides at 1716 Park
avenue, three blocks distant from his Col
lege avenue property
A few evenings ago the housekeeper in the
Womack home announced that some one
would have to go to the grocery for loaf of
bread. This duty devolved upon Miss Lot
tie the daughter of the household. She
started for the bread, and her father sat
down to read the paper. BY taking direct
route the bread could have been procured at
a grocery two blocks away Mr.. Womack
and the housekeeper waited a reasonable
length of time for the return of the girl and
when she failed to appear. the ex-sheriff
grew nettled and was ready to administer a
fine scolding to his daughter. Suddenly she
dashed into the house with scarlet cheeks
and half out of breath.
Papa she gasped, "our house on Coli
lege avenue is on fire. Minnie and l saw it,
but we couldn't put the fire out
"Oh, you're excited, child" coolly re-
marked the ex-sheriff. ''You didn't see any
fire. Sit down and cool off;' and Mr.. Wo-
mack calmly resumed the perusal of his
paper.
Il tell you the house is burning ex-
claimed the girl with a stamp of her little
foot. Womack decided that 1t would be well
to investigate his daughters story and put
ting on his overcoat he went over to the
allied that had he delayed five minutes
longer his properly would probably have
gone up in smoke. In some way the floor
in one of the rooms had caught fire and the
flames were making good Roadway. Wo-
mack called in his neighbors and put out
the fire without calling out the fire depart
had picked up her chum on the way and
the two girls took a circuitous route in re-
turning from the grocery. In going home
they passed the Womack house and We're
attracted by a light which could be seen
through the windows. A hasty inveStiga-
ton showed them that the place was on fire
and they started for home to give the alarm.
The fire was extinguished with little or no
loss, and when Womack returned home he
was in a generous mood.
Daughter" he remarked, you have
saved me $2,500 tonight and I'll not forget
you"
Don't you think Miss Lottie deserves 4
present" suggested the housekeeper.
You bet she does, I" replied the happy
parent. and I'll not forget about 1t at
Christmas time
Don't you think. papa said the young
woman, feeling her way, that Tomorrow
would be as good time as Christmas? I
should like awfully well 10 have d new hat
for next Sunday. The ex-sheriff took the
hint and the next day went down town with
his daughter.
Miss L.ottie made many little poses before