Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-21
ONE along and carry Sue of.


cone day Peter, who could really
stand it no logger, resolved that ne
would place his offerings at Sues
feet and learn his fate He rang the
bell that evening at her door, was
admitted by the ceremonious butler
and finally ushered into the library,
where he found Mo-Sue. They sat
down before blazing log fire, much
like this one, and after they nad
talked Of this thing and that, Peter
told her Of his love and asked her the
one all-important question. But un-
fortunately just as he finished speak
ing. and before Sue could possibly re-
play, her mother came into the room
and said"
There" Ralph declared. I'm fin
ished. Go on" He looked cautiously
up at Molly, but her head was turned
away. No one, not even he, had notlced
the startled expression on her face or
her alert attitude.
sues mother came in." the next
victim continued, "and said that
there was man outside who insisted
on seeing Peter at once. Peter was
very angry, but of course he couldn't
show it before the woman whose
daughter he hoped to marry. Con-
seuuently he hurried out and found
the owner of his pumpkin she'll
who told him that unless he paid the
rent that night he was going to dis
possess him. Now Peter sometimes
had money, but this evening he mad
none. So he got his hat and coat
and went with the man, never saying
word to Sue, who, of course; was
much surprised at his abrupt exit.
after thinking 1t over Peter
finally decided that he would borrow
some money from Frank Chambers
one of his friends. Accordingly, with
the landlord in tow, he sought Franks
home. When no one answered his
knock he tried the door. Finding that
it was not locked he opened 1t. And
the strangest sight met his eyes. In
the center CT the room he saw"
"Ha, hal" the narrator laughed
gleefully. What did he seer nudg-
ing his neighbor.
"He saw-he saw a white elephant!
Standing supremely along y the room
which had formerly been occupied by
his comrade was this rare beast OF
the jungle. In open mouthed aston
ishment Peter gazed at the animal,
and then, turning, fed from the
building, the landlord in hot pursuit.
In his haste Peter had neglected to
shut the door and the white elephant
was following him, too. Up hill and
down they ran, this curious process
sion, until thew found themselves ap-
preaching the zoo. AS they came up
to it. Peter noticed that they were
creating wild excitement among the
attendants, who rushed forth in great
numbers with the director at their
head. AS he came up to the painting
Peter he exclaimed"
ooh, simply can't take it," ex-
postulated the next person. Its
absolutely out of the question. How
do | know what he said?"
Let me go on the fifth one put
in eagerly. "He said, Where did you
get that white elephant" Found
him. Peter replied. =.
"The director looked at him IN
amazement, and then took him py
the shoulders and led him off. All
night they kept Peter and the land
lord there, giving them two little
sleeping rooms in one OF the bulld-
ings. Early the next day they were
brought into a large assembly room
where they found many men gathered
together They put Peter on q plat
form and the director went to the
front of it and said: !,
Go on. Molly. It's up to you now
Molly sat bolt upright. Well" she
declared, Il must say you've got me
into a pretty mess. Let me think"
and said" she went on, after q
minute. Gentlemen, as you Will
know, the prize of the ZOO, the only
living white elephant in captivity, mas
been missing for ten days. 1t now ne
comes my pleasant duty to report to
YOU the trustees, keepers and friends
Of this institution, that the white ele-
plant has been returned to lis.
Through the extreme diligence,
bravery and, may say skill, OF TINS
gentleman indicating Peter, the ele-
phant once more adorns our ZOO.
have called this special meeting to
present to Mr.. Peter Pumpkin the
reward of $4,000 offered for his re-
turn
Before Peter could realize what
had happened the money was pressed
into his hands. AS soon as ne could'
he got away from the grateful crowd,
paid the landlord, even buying from
him the pumpkin she'll and hurried
back to Sue, whom he found much
upset by his disappearance. When ne
had explained it all to her. however
she forgave him, and-and-and when
he repeated his all-important question
she accepted him-and- and--thats
all know"
Molly locked up in confusion, to
find empty chairs One by one, I'M
noticed by her, her friends had gone
with the conscious feeling that they
we're intruding and overhearing some
thing not meant for them. That Is,
they had all gone but Ralph.
Molly looked at him reproachfully.
How dared your she asked:
at succeeded" he answered, com
ing over to her, and simply couldn't
wait"
you've got to finish the story.
That's the rule of the game. me
beginner always finishes
"May II" he asked.