Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-09-03

Dut Iue SeTVauL girl was StanQlnG
behind the door, listening. She did
not hear all that was said, but what
she did hear she remembered. And
she had no sooner caught sight of the
sheriff's boy, over by the bate, than
she hurried up to him.
Just think of 1t, they've stolen
little Jack Slinker's pure golden hem
egg!" she cried.
Where did he ever get that?" ask
ed the boy, who had never heard OF
such kind of egg.
Pooh, how stupid you are! OF
coure, he has golden hen that lays
them for him"
Then they must have stolen the
hen too" said the boy, "for I'd GER
tainly rather steal the hen than only
the egg"
"Of course" the girl admitted.
She meant that the boy would be
more likely to steal the hen than the
egg, but he thought the girl meant
that the hen too had been stolen.
Hence, when he came home in the
evening, the first thing he said to his
father was:
Have you heard that they have
stolen Jack slinker's golden hen?"
And up they rose from the table,
the sheriff. the sheriff's wife and their
eleven children, and out they hurried
to the house Of the burgomaster.
The burgomaster was Just at the
point of eating his supper, when the
whole company burst in, upon him.
Gracious me! what in the world
is up now?" cried the burgomaster' S
wife, quite startled.
Jack Slinker's golden hen has
been stolcn!" cried the sheriff's fam
lily.
The burgomaster dropped his spoon
and scratched his head.
That's serious affair."" said he.
That's a matter we must look into"
II don't care who did it," said the
burgomaster, Justice shall prevail"
Thereupon no rose, put on his coat,
and hung tho handouts over his
arm. And with a tender goodbye to
the dish Of porridge which stood there
on the table, he set out, slowly follow
ed by the sheriff, the sheriff's wife
and their eleven children to hunt
down the thief who had stolen Jack
Slinker's golden hen.
When they reached the inn they
found the innkeeper and the knife
grinder standing outside, whispering.
Perhaps one of you know who
stole Jack Slinker's golden her,
said the burgomaster in his sternest
official voice,
Eyes, yes, but ave were just discus.
sing It," said the innkeeper with an
air of Importance, "thought-er-tha
is to say-er-we thought 1t was
only a button" he added doubtfully
1T was hen" cried the sheriff's
family in ono voice. Hen! hen!
hen!"
We'll, who did it them" asked the
burgomaster.
'I'd bet my own head that it's that
rascal Of peddler, who sat here a
moment ago." said the knife-grinder
quickly.
"Of course he acted as though he
had never heard of it, but we were
too foxey for him. and the inn
keeper laughed smugly.
Here justice shall be melted out"
said the burgomaster. Come along,
good people! Where is he?"
"Oh, he left long ago. But if we had
a horse we might overhaul him yet"
But it is already dark" one Of the
company grumbled.
"And he has most likely found a
hiding place." said another
Perhaps 1t would be we'll to wait
until tomorrow" proposed the bur-
gomaster. He was thinking of the
porridge awaiting him at home.
But it's too bad about Jack Stink
er," said the sheriff's wife, who was
q good-hearted woman
"Well, we might go and tell him
that we will go out tomorrow and
find his hen for him." said the burgo.
Arriving at the boys home they
found Jack slinker sitting on the
porch, with wry face, whining, ooh.
Oh, oh, VINO has found my button?"
"Button?" repeated the burgomas.
ter and the innkeeper, and the knife
grinder. and the sheriff, and the
sherin's wife. and all the eleven
children.
Button! How can you think of
your button, when your golden heu
Is lost?'
Golden heni" Now it was Jack
Slinkers turn to show surprise. Tive
never had any golden hen. Never
heard that there was such thing,
even.'
you mean 10 say that they haven't
stolen your golden hen?" repeated the
quite puzzled.
mo. no. but listen," cried Jack
Slinker, 1--WE lost my button. Oh, oh,
Oh! Has no one seen anything of
NY button?"
The same moment, Jacks mother
appeared on the spot
What are you yelling about?" she
said to the boy. II heard you mile
off,"
Tive lost my button" sobbed Jack.
"Pshaw. are you blind, boy? There
It Is right under your nose" The
mother pointed to the ground And
here 1T lay, cleaning like silver,
with it's four holes.
"It was only button" whispered
Ant the 'ankeeper AMI the sheriff
1T was only button" whispered