Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-11-02


nrst TO rre'his piece through the man q
body, and then he hew up the stairs to as.
certain the state Of Annie. She was not
at the easement; he dnrted into the inner
room, and found her deliberately loading
tho carbine.
my Godl how you frightened me-,
Anime. thought by their firing that
you had shown yourself at the window"
Indeed did not! but thought that
when you Ared through the door they
might return your fire, and you be hurt:
90 went to the side Of the c,sement and
pushed out on stick some of my father
clothes, and they who were watching for
you fired Immediately"
Indeed, Aminsl who could have ex-
pected such courage and such GOODNESS in
ono so young and beautifully" exclaimed
Philip, with surprise.
"Ars mono but VI favored people brave,
thsnf" replied Anime, smiling.
II did not mean that, Amine-but /
am losing time. Unjust to the door again.
Give me that carbine and reload this"
Philip crept down stairs that he might
reconnoiter, but before he had gained the
door he heard at . distance the voice OF
Mynheer Poots. Anime, who also heard
1t, was in moment at his side with a
loaded pistol In each hand.
Gear not, Anime" said Philip, as he
unbarred the door, there are but two, and
your father shall be saved"
The door was opened, and Philip, .seia.
ing his carbine, rushed out; he found
Mynheer Poots on the ground between the
two mon, one Of whom had raised his
knife to plunge 1t into his body, when the
ball of the carbine whizzed through his
head. The last of the robbers closed with
Philip, and desperate struggle ensued;
It was, however, soon decided by Anime
stepping forward and firing one Of the pis.
tolls through the robbers body.
We must here inform our readers that
Mynheer Poots, when coming home, had
heard the report Of flpearms in the direc.
ton Of his own house. The recollection
OF his daughter and of his money-for to
do him Justice he did love her best-had
lent him wings; he forgot that he was a
feeble old man and without arms; all he
thought Of was to gain his habitation.
On he came, reckless, frantic, and shout.
ing, and rushed into the arms of the two
robbers, who seized and would have dis.
patched him, HID not Philip % opportuns.
~ come to his assistance.
AS soon as the last robber fell. Philip
disengaged himself and went to the assist.
ance of Mynheer Po6ts, whom he raised
up In his arms and carried into the house
as If he were an infant. The old man
was still in state OF delirium, from fear
and previous excitement.
In few minutes Mynheer Poots was
more coherent
my daushter!" exclaimed he-"my
daushssrl whore is shes"
"She Is hero, father, and SAFE" replied
Anime.
"Ahl my child is safe," said he, OPEN
ing his eyes and staring. Eyes, 1t is even
so-and my money-my money-where is
my money!" continued he. starting up
"Quits safe, father"
"Quite safe; you say quite safe-ars
you sure Of itf lot me see."
There It 10, father. as you may per-
oeive, quito safe-thanks to one whom
you have not treated 50 we'll"
"Who-whst do you meant All, yes, I
see limits Philip vanderdeoken-he
owes me three guilders and a half, and
there is a vial-dtd he save you-and my
money, childs"
He did, indeed, at the fisk of his life. !,
well, we'll, will forgive him the
whole debt-yes, the whole of it; hut-the
vial Is of no use to him-he must return
that. Give me some water"
It was some time before the old man
could regain his perfect reason. Philip
loft him with bis daughter, and, taking q
brace Of loaded pistols, went out to ascer-
tain the fate Of the four assailAnts. The
moon, having climbed above the bank Of
clouds which had obscured her, was now
high In the heavens, shining bright, and
he could distinguish clearly. The two men
lying across the threshold of the door were
quite dead. The others, who had seized
upon Mynheer Poots, were still alive, but
one was expiring and the other bled fast.
Philip put few questions to the latter,
but he either would not or could not make
any reply; he removed their weapons and
returned to the house, where no found the
old man attended by his daughter, in q
state of comparative composure.
II thank you, Philip vandatdecken-I
thank you much. You have saved INV
dear child, and my noney-that is little.
very ltttle-for am poor. May you live
long and happily"
Philip unused; the letter and mis- VOW
we're, for the first time since he fell In
with the robbers, recalled to his recollec-
ton, and q shade passed over his counte-
nance
Long and happily-no, no." muttered
he, with an involuntary shake of the head,
And must thank you," said Anime,
looking inquiringly in Philips face.
"oh, how much have to thank you for!
and indeed am grnteful!'
Yes, yes, she Is very grateful inter
rupted the old man; "but we are poor
very poor. talked about my money be-
cause have SO little, and cannot afford
to lose 1t; but you shall not pay me the
81 guilders-I am content to lose that
Mr.. Philip"
why should you lose even that, Myn-
heer Poots; I promised to pay you, and
will keep my word. have plenty OF
money-thousands of guilders, and know
not what to do with them"
"You--you-thousands Of guilders!"
exclaimed Poots. pooh, nonsense, that
won't do"
II repeat to you, Anime" said Philip,
THAT ] have thousands of guilders; you
know would not tell you falsehood."
believed you when you said so to my
father" replied Anime.