The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-01

uncle Joes and when I was fourteen
years old, Uncle and Aunt Mary count
ed over $1,000 in bills they had in the
mouse. This counting was done in
their bedroom after / was in bed. and
the package was then hidden under
the carpet. A noise was heard at the
window, and Uncle Joe went out to
see If any one was sDooking round
but made no discovery. Next day he
went away to buy some cattle and
during the forenoon things went on as
usual. Just before noon the fool came
over, and when the meal was ready he
took his seat at the table with the rest
There were two hired men, and after
dinner had been disposed of they went
back to their work in a distant field.
had been set to roll some old cider
and vinegar barrels out of the cellar
and rinse them as well. I made signs
TO the boy to help me, but he shook his
T head and sat down on the doorstep.
and kept up such a grinning and
chuckling that Aunt Mary noticed it
after a while and wondered what he
had been Up to. At about half-past
one o'clock a well dressed, business
looking man drove UP to the gate in
buggy, hitched his horse and came in
He asked me at the well il Mr.. Fuller
was home. and when I answered in
the negative hSS1 seemed considerably
put out. followed him to the
kitchen door. where he introduced
h1mself to my aunt. and explained that
he had cattle TO sell. After little
talk he began to tell us that he had
seen man hurt on the highway. and
gradually we all came TO crowd into
the kitchen. OF sudden the man
pulled a revolver and said.
Sit down. the three of you; and if
one of you utters a single yell 1 will
shoot you deadi
1 thought the fellow was joking and
SLOW
Mary was also slow in catching on and
as she finally took a chair she was
pale as death. The fool laughed and
sucked at his finger, and seemed to
consider the thing a good joke.
Now, then, understand me-" con-
tinued the man, when we were seated
before him. There Is money in this
house I want it. I'm going to get It
If have to kill the three of you. You
cub of a boy, what are you grinning
at?"
The last remark was addressed to
the fool, and explained that he was
victim of misfortune. I was aston
ished, but not frightened. I had heard
Of robbers, but this man didn't come
up to my notion of one at all Neither
was aware of the large sum of money
in the house. The man hauled off to
cuff the fool but thinking better of it,
he looked at Aunt Mary and said:
Get me that money Get every dol
L
any back III burn the roof over your
head
please. sir" she began, and knew
in a second that she wanted to deny
that there was any money in the
house. She couldn't tell a lie, how
ever She was too good a Christian
for that She did hold out, however.
until the man cooked the weapon in
her face, and then she crept into the
bedroom to dig the roll out from I'M
der the carpet. A sudden ejaculation
came from her, and she appeared at
the door to cry out:
ITS gonel Some one has. robbed us
of every dollar!"
Don't lie to me, woman." exclaim-
cd the man.
But I'm not lying. Last night we
had $1,000. and hid it under the cor
ner of the carpet, there. Some one has
taken it since then"
The man had to believe her. Her dis
tress and sincerity were too evident. He