Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23

| ontzing Shrek was borne on the after
noon breeze.
20 God. my God, am kllledw cried
the voice Of Bonaparte us he, with
wide open mouth and shaking flesh,
fell into the room, followed by half
| grown ostrich, which put. its head in
at the door. opened its beak at him
and went away.
Shut the door! Shut the door! AS
you value my life, shut the doorI' cried
Bonaparte, sinking into chair, his
face blue and white, with a greenish-
ness about the mouth. "Al, my FRIEND"
he said. TREMENDOUSLY, eternity has
looked me in the face! My life's thread
hung upon cord! The valley OF the
shadow of death!' said Bonaparte,
selling the Germans arm.
"Dear, dear, dearw said the German,
who had closed the lower half Of the
door and stood much concerned beside
the stranger. you have had a fright.
I never knew SO young bird to chase
before, but they will take dislikes to
certain people. | sent a boy away
once because bird would chase him.
All, dear. dear!
"When l looked round" said Bona
parte. "the red and yawning cavity
was above me and the reprehensible
paw raised to strike me. My nerves."
said Bonaparte. suddenly growing
faint, always delicate. highly strung,
are broken. broken! You could not
give little wine, little brandy, my
| friend?"
The old German hurried away to the
bookshelf and took from behind the
books a small bottle, half Of whose
contents he poured into cup. Bona
parte drained it eagerly.
How do you feel now" asked the
| German. looking at him with much
| sympathy.
"a little. slightly, better"
The German went out to pick up the
| battered chimney pot which had fallen
81 am sorry you got the fright The
birds are bad things till you know
them" he said sympnthetically as he
put the hat down.
"AIy friend" said Bonaparte. holding
out his hand. 81 forgive you. Do not
be disturbed. Whatever the conse-
! Quences. forgive you, know, be-
Elieve. 1t was with no ill intent that you
| allowed ME to go out. Give me your
hand. have no i'll feeling. nonew
| You are very kind" said the Ger
man. taking the extended hand and
feeling suddenly convinced that he was
receiving magnanimous forgiveness for
seine great injury; you are very
kind
Don't mention it," said Bonaparte.
He knocked OUT the crown Of his
caved in old hat, placed it on the table
before him. leaned his elbows on the
table and his face in his hands and
contemplated it.
"Ah. my old friend'-he thus apos-
trophized the hat-"you have served
me long. you have served me faithful
ly. but the last day has come! Never
more shall you be borne upon the head
of your master; never more shall you
protect his brow from the burning rays
| OF summer or the cutting winds of
winter. IIenceforth bareheaded must
your master go. Goodby, goodby, old
hatw
AT the end of this affecting appeal
the German rose. He went to the box
at the foot of his bed. Out of it be
took black hat which had evidently
been seldom worn and carefully pre-.
served.
Its not exactly what you may have
been accustomed to-" he said nervous
ly, putting 1t down beside the h ttrred
chimney pot. but 1t might be of some
use. protection to the head, you
know"
My FRIEND" said Bonaparte. "you
are not following my advice. You are
allowing yourself to be reproached on
my account. Do not make yourself I'M
happy. No: shall go bareheaded."
mo, no, no" cried the German ener-
getically. ~ have mouse for the hat,
none at all. 1t is shut up in the box"
'Then | will takeit.s my friend. 1t
is a comfort to one's own mind when
you have Internationally injured any
one to make PREPARATION. l know the
feeling. The hat may not be of that re-
| dASo Sue VI W. VIC oib OhC was Dut
1t will serve; yes. 1t will serve. Thank
you" said Bonaparte. adjusting it on
his head and then replacing it on the
table. ~ shall lie down now and take
little repose.' he added. ~ much
fear my appetite for supper will be
lost"
81 hope not: hope not" said the
German. reseating himself ut his work
and looking much concerned as Bona.
parte stretched himself on the bed and
turned the end of the patchwork quilt
over his feet.
"You must not think to make your
departure, not for many days" said
the German presently. "Tant Sannie
gives her consent. and'-
"NIy friend" said Bonaparte. closing
his eyes sadly. You ;:fe kind. but We're
j 1t not that tomorrow Is the Sabbath.
weak and trembling as lie here.
would proceed on my way. must
seek work. Idleness but for a day is
painful. Work. labor-that is the Sc
cret ofall true happiness"
He doubled the pillow under his head