Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-02
fondled and petted above the two

fondled and petted above the two
sons.
The Pippin family had fine home
in rich valley on the borders of q
wide desert. And rowing bands Of
thieves often came from the, desert
to steal sheep and cattle and grain
They even went into Dame Pippin's
cave where she kept her cheese and
butter and cream and helped them
selves to these good things to eat
paying nothing for them. Now, the
Pippins could not endure these raids
on their sheep fold and cattle pasture
and cheese and butter cave, so Father
Pippin decided to lay in wait for the
robbers and catch one or more OF
them and hand them over to the law.
One night soon after 1t was dark
Father Pippin secreted himself beside
the caves mouth, waiting for the rob
bers. And soon he WAS rewarded by
seeing five men creep In through the
gate which led to his farm. Three OF
the robbers went to the sheep fold to
get sheep while the other two went
to the cave for butter and cheese
After the latter had gotten well into
the cave, and were searching about
for the cheeses, Father Pippin quick
~ shut and barred the cave door on
them. And as the walls were SO thick
that their cries could not be heard
their comrades did not know that they
were being held prisoners. So the
three got possession Of a fine sheep
and made of with it, waiting at q
place on the border of the desert Tor
the remaining two robbers.
After the three robbers had disap'
peared down the road, carrying. one
of Father Pippin's best sheep. Father
Pippin hurried into the house and told
his wife of his success in getting two
Of the robbers as prisoners. But,
said he, 1--WE cannot remain here the
remainder of this night, for after the
three robbers have waited certain
length of time, they will return to
search for their missing companions.
So we must get away from here as
quickly as possible. Well go to the
village-a good nights journey on
foot and by the woods, and there
We'll get the officers of the law and
take them back to the farm and take
the two robbers into custody of the
law"
Eyes, husband" agreed Dame Pip
pin. And she got the three children
dressed and ready for starting. They
set out, Father Pippin carrying little
Susan on his back. She was too small
to keep pace with the others. But be-
fore starting Father Pippin had gone
to the cave door and had seen that
It was locked securely with a paddock,
and the key he put into his pocket.
The door. was OF very heavy beams
md iron-barred. Those on the inside
might work for days without succeed
ing in breaking it down.
AS the Pippin family went along
The road toward the village. which lay
in an opposite direction to the desert,
they kept a close watch about them.
They had gone quite long way when
Of sudden they heard the beating
Of horses hoofs. AS the robbers all
had fine steeds and none of the peas
ants owned q horse in all that land,
Father Pippin knew the band Of
was coming after him. Doubt
less they had gone to look for their
and not seeing them, had
started to follow the farmer and his
family. mistaking them for their miss
ing fellows.
Were in great danger" spake Fa-
Their Pippin. 1--WE can't possibly reach
the village under four hours walk,
and those horsemen can overtake US
within half an hour. They are not
travelling fast because of the dark
ness Of the night and the dangers OF
the road. But soon the moon Will
rise, and then they will be able to
find good footing and will overtake US
quickly.
:''Let us hide, father" It was
Jacob who made this suggestion. "But
where may we be able to hide from
the band Of robbers?" asked the "a
Their. "They have sharp eyes, my son,
and can seek US out from among the
rocks and bushes"
Let us go into the holes where the
squirrels live" It was little Dan who
this absurd thing And every
one laughed at hin, though they
laughed under their breath. Eut just
as they woe passing beneath a great
tree little squirrel came hopping ou:
of hole and sat upon a limb Just
above their heads. "Come here and
we will save you from the wicked men
who pursue YOU" SO spoke the squir-
rel. And then of a sudden there ai-
peared dozen or more squirrels on
the limb and they beckoned to the
astonished people. Father and Dame
Pippin could not speak for surprise.
But little Dan did not seem in the
least astonished. He really ap-
peared to have expected this strange
thing.
"Well, let's go, father and mother
It was Jacob who spoke. IF the
squirrels are endowed with the power
of speech, and know Of our danger,
they are endowed with the power to
help us. Let's go up into the tree"
AS there seemed some sense In what
his son Jacob proposed, Father Pip
pin agreed to try the tree. He sent
Jacob and Dan up first, then handed
Susan up into the arms of her broth
ers. Then he assisted his wife to as
cend into the tree after which he fol-
lowed her. After they had all as
sembled on a great strong limb one OF
the little squirrels said to Father Pip