Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-08

the door creaked on it's hinges. Then
dark, tall form entered the living
room, Tom being hidden behind the
door. As soon as the intruder was we'll
into the room, which was dimly lighted
by moonlight coming in at the window,
Tom rushed upon him from behind,
putting his revolver againt his neck
and crying out: stir step and I'll
shoot"
Mrs. Heally and Dot were out OF bed
in flash and saw the awful thing
which was happening. But before Mrs.
Heally could get to the shotgun, two
other men had darted into the room,
one selling Tom from behind and dis
arming him. Then Mrs. Heally, Dot
and Tom were placed side by side In
one corner Of the room, where they
were guarded by one man, while the
other robbers proceeded to search the
house. They soon found the cash box
under a pillow of a bed, and on OPEN
ing it, swore harsh oaths of disap-
pointment. Then they turned upon
Mrs. Heally, demanding to know
where the county's money was hidden.
That poor lady was SO astonished on
seeing that money was not In the box
that she almost tainted. But she
quickly recovered herself and told the
truth. that she thought till this minute
the money was in the box.
Then a search was made Of every
box, trunk, drawer, beds and pillows.
Then one man went to the front yard
and made a careful survey of the
ground. Another did the same in the
rear Of the house. But not dollar
could they find. After vainly search.
ing till the dawn appeared, one Of the
robbers said: THAT william carried
the money with him. Well. we'll lay
for him on his way home Then with
curses, they bound and gagged the
three Heallys and departed.
Somehow Tom managed to get his
rope from his wrists. An hour after
had himself, his mother and sister
kitchen and brought forth loaf OF
bread and huge pie. From them
she extracted the county's money.
Mrs. Heally and Tom were SO aston
ished that they could not speak at
first Then Dottie got her just praise.
"Cleveriest trick ever heard off, de-
clared Tom. Say, put 1t all back, and
keep it there till daddy gets home"
Then as soon as morning was fully
on the county, Tom fastened into
town and spread the alarm of the rob-
bers, and posse started in search Of
them. And a well-armed band went
to escort Mr.. Heally home, and they
met him half way, riding along on his
horse. He was most supicious OF
something having gone wrong, for on
arriving within mile Of his mothers
home, the man who had brought him
thus. far, said: "Now, Mr.. Heally. I'll
let you make the rest Of the way on
your horse" and turned back toward
town. And when Mr.. Heally reached
his parents farm he found his mother
we'll, and all fast asleep, and knowing
nothing at all about their sons having
been called to them.
And then it was that Mr.. Heally felt
anxious and turned his horse home
ward. He rode as fast as his tired
horse could 60, and when, about 9
o'clock in the morning he. met his
townsmen, he knew that something
had gone wrong. But on reaching
home and being shown the pie safe,
where the money still lay in large bills
and the loaf of bread which held a few
gold coins and silver pieces, he clasp
ed his little Dottie in his arms. your
clever scheme was far ahead of guns
on the place, my little heroine"
But the people of the county never
knew where their money was so safe
ly hidden, for Dottie declared that
they might have to use the same safes
again some day.
And the sheriff's posse caught the
would-be robbers in the adjoining
county, ad they paid the penalty for
their crime.
, t'I'i like to know blamed well, whur
that cash was kept" said one Of the
robbers, after being apprehended. But
he never knew that a very bright little
miss of thirteen had foiled him and his
confederates.