Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-05

CURED Miss Betty, nervously.
me, it's in town." replied the
squire, who had drawn back the cur
tain for a quick look at the surround
ings. II can't just make out what
building it is, but it's near the
square, that's evident"
He ran to the hall, secured his hat
and opened the door. A mellow glare
was cast over the scene without. and
man was discovered Fastening along
the road.
"Hello!" cried Mr.. vlandingham.
whats burning?"
1.-THE courthouse!" was the start
ling answer flung back by the man
as he sped on.
ooh. dear!" cried Miss Betty, with
sharp note of regret. II had
planned to do something in the morn
ing, before the polls open-something
which would have knit Concord and
Harmony in closer bonds and have
insured peaceable election, but now
it is impossible"
"The best laid plans of mice and
maids gang aft agley, you remem-
ber," observed Guy. "For my part,
! hope that Inflated courthouse will
be burned to the last stick. 1t has
caused trouble enough"
Together they sat on the porch
watching the yellow flames leap high
and toss their sparkling, star-like
cinders. Then gradually the fiery
tongues sank down and down, the
glare faded out of the sky and they
knew that the courthouse had ceased
to be factor in the contest.
The squire returned, by and by,
and with him walked youth who
was wheeling bicycle.
Let us go in for minute" they
heard the squire say. "You can leave
your wheel at the gate"
They entered the house, whittier
| Miss Betty and Guy had preceded
them, and Guy then discovered that
the youth who was accompanying
the squire was none other than Lem
uel Bilkins. Notwithstanding a GER
tain air of bravado and triumph, it
could be seen that Lemuel was very
much agitated and frightened.
"a fellow-townsman of yours, Mr..
Herbert" remarked the squire, a
grim smile fitting across his face
{! This young man." he laid his hand
on LemueFs shoulder, ''came over
from Concord and burned the court
i house. He was caught while at
tempting to escape. The people were
strongly tempted to make an exam.
pie Of him, but 1 reminded them OF
our new policy"
"Of my new policy, father" inter.
rupted Miss Betty.
"Quite so, my dear. I reminded
them of your new policy and the in
| cendiary was turned over to me. His
probably done brave thing, as his
people will look at it. That was a
very bright idea of yours, Mr.. Bill.
kins."
There was sarcasm in the squire's
voice, but Lemuel could not detect it.
"It was the Colonel's idea," an.
swered Lemuel, falteringly but
proudly. "He said if I'd do it I could
| have SIMPSONS place in the Office
/ HAS Sampson left Keever's EN-
ploy?" queried the squire, with sud
4 den interest.
why" returned Lemuel, she SET
on the Colonel like tiger an if the
Colonel hadn't held himself in he'c
jest naturally have killed samp."
This is news indeed" exclaimed
Guy.
81 have brought the young mar
here, Betty" resumed her father, $50
that you might tell him what you in
tended doing with the courthouse to
morrow. He will see, then, that the
building was sacrificed to no pur
pose"
"Won't you sit down, Mr.. Bill6ins? p
asked Miss Betty.
I'D ruther stand" returned Lem
uel, fdgiting. IF it's all the sam,
to you, I'd ruther go right off, too
you are in no danger. Mr.. Bilkins,
went on Miss Betty. 81 give you m.
word. Stand if you like, for will
detain you only few moments. TIL
purloining of the courthouse was m,
plan. I did not intend to steal it
but after Harmony had legally &C
quired the county seat I was goin!
to have the building paid for. Hal
I not done this, hardly see how
clash could have been avoided, fe
the Invincibles were organized an,
drilled, and it was their avowed in
tention to march upon Concord an
take the records by force. I had ah
solutely no power over them. B,
allowing them to work off their ar
dor in more theatrical way thei
purpose was accomplished withou
violence. We bear no i'll will towar
} you or your people, and I had al
ranged to have the courthouse haule
! back to it's original site in the earl
J hours of the morning. I am yer
, sorry, indeed, that you have mad
this impossible. If you will remen
Der what have told you, however
: and tell your fellow-citizens about il
they may perhaps accept the inter
5 ton in lieu of the deed"
| Lem Bilkins, when the squire cor
L