Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-05-18
THE FATED FLOUR.

Laws a-mercy, Simon, this hero
bread amt fit to eat" exclaimed Mrs.
Hitler to her husband as they were
eating dinner.
"Oh, dear! I knowed it right along"
sighed Mr.. Hitler tearfully That's
what I cot fer" (hesitating).
"Got fer what" asked his wife
sharply. Nov see here, Simon Hill
Ter, you've been into some mischief I'll
be bound. Now out with it," she ad-
ded coaxingly as IL her coaxing would
make him tell her.
"Oh, never mind, but I've got some
news to tell you. You know Mr. Dun
widdie. the man that has the grocery
down near town? Well, Mr.. Dunwid-
die went across the street the other
day fer someethin' or other and up
steps a man and he walks into tho
store. When Dunwiddie came he found
a sack of flour missing"
"I see, see," fairly shrieked MRS
Hitler. "Your the thief you are.
knowed you didn't have a cent OF
money with you, when you got this
-four. This Is what I'll give you."
glared the seeming virago, brand1sh1ng
the broom at Mr. Hitler. Mr.. Hitler,
finding his wife in earnest, sought re-
fuge out of doors, where he took to
his heels, looking behind him every
other moment to see II the broom was
encountering his Uranium. All Mrs.
Hill saw was q pair Of heels disappear
ing over the edge Of the hill.
Returning to the house. she threw
herself down on the bed sobbing, "Oh,
Simon Simon Hitler. To think you've
always been so faithful to me and now
/ find I married q thief
Suddenly collecting her thoughts
she exclaimed, "Why I didn't let him
finish his story. Maybe he Wasn't the
Mrs. Hitler put on her sunbonnet and
started toward the door. But hearing
someone coming up the walk she hest
tated, drew back and took of her bon
net The clatter OF the doorknocker
was next heard. Opening the door
she saw short, thick and heavy set
man with beetling eyebrows.
MRS. Hiller?" asked the man po-
litely, lifting his hat.
That's what I'm called" she an
swered stiffly.
"I see you don't know me-" smiled
the man. my name is Rensselaer,.
Mr. Hitler and I were college chums.
Is he not in?"
mo, he isn't and I don't care where
he u.s." she answered tartly.
well, coming down to business,
hear that Mr. Hitler is out Of work.
am q business man and my time ls
limited. Now, what I want ts this. I
want to have Mr.. Hitler for my part
ner We always liked each other 50
we'll. Probably you know my brother
in-law. Mr.. Dunwiddie, who has
grocery down near town. I'll drop in
tomorrow and see what Mr.. Hitler
says. Good afternoon"
Thinking of the good fortune await
ing them, Mrs. Hitler readily 1orgave
her husband for taking the -four -
she supposed and eagerly awaited his
homecoming.
Night came and still no husband.
Growing anxious and remorseful that
she had banished him 80 soon, she put
on her bonnet and cape and turned
her steps toward Mr.. Dunwfddie's
home. Her knock was answered
promptly by Mrs. Dunwiddie who IN
vited her In.
why, Simon Hitler, where have
you been all this timer asked the as
tonished wife when she saw Mr..
Dunwiddie and her husband convers-
ing in the parlor.
Mr.. Hitler looked shamefacedly to-
ward the floor.
"Mr. Dunwiddie and I have BEEN
talking about the flour that I stole
from him." he said. you know, Mary
we needed 1t badly. 1t was such
good chance to get it 80 took 1t. I
was in the store this afternoon and
told him heard that sack Of his
-four had been taken. He then told
me that only the thief and he knew
anything about it and then told me
that 1 was the thief. Mr.. Dunwiddie
told me to pay for 1t and not say any
thing about it. did but told you and
want you to forgive me Mary, won't
your"
"Of course will, Simon" said she,
fairly bubbling over with excitement.
And I'VE some good news to tell you.