PEEPING TOM DISCOVERED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18762, 16 January 1923, Page 3

PEEPING TOM DISCOVERED

CHASE AT THE NURSES’ HOME. A LITTLE LADY’S PLUCK, ■lt was about 9.30 on a recent night that “Tom tho Peeper’’ was seen skulking round the Nurses' Home. Perhaps it was fortunate for “Tom” that tho nurse who first Righted him was “game - ’ to a degree and impetuous; if she had been more timid and Jess given to notion before thought it is probable that Dunedin would have been freed, for a time at nuyrate, from one of the snake-like creatures that are to be found in all cities. Put, the fates decreed that the discoverer of Tom should be plucky and cpiick to act, consequently, with areat suddenness, ho found himself set upon—not by a modem Amazon, but by a" angry little feminine figure, who clung to him with a tenacity born of something more terrible than affection, and who, between her gasps for breath, informed him that ho was a beast. “Tom’’ was surprised and nearly overthrown, but with tho manly resourcefulness that characterises his breed, he collected all tho wits and strength he possessed and freed himself from the embrace. Then he ran, and behind him panted the breathless nurse, who disturbed tbo placidity of the night air with freqeunt calls for reinforcements.

Taking in tho situation with the glance of a true lieutenant, another recl-cloaked lady threw herself into the chase. Pehiud her came others who did not know what the trouble was about, but who wore in tbo chase for the fun- of the thing, Tho reinforcements had arrived! They surged to the assault.

-■ow ‘'Torn’s" only chance of speedy egress from the grounds was o'er the Castle street gate. This structure is of a fair height, hut "Tom” would have tried to ascend first Church spire to escape from that red-cloaked army of enraged femininity, lie sprang at the gate, and. doubtless, at tno cost of bruises and injured finger nails, got. one leg into safety. But. before tlio other could follow it was seized. Tom cried loudly with terror, then kicked his leg and throw his body towards tho street and safety. There was a crash and a groan, follow'ed by the pat-pat of feet moving very swiftly, ile had escaped! Following tho rout there was an invasion —of tho North Dunedin Police Station. Present in force, tho nurses told their tale, breathlessly triumphant in defeat.