Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-19


Howe, the clergyman's son, and he
was in the seventh heaven of delight;
Mandy stood beside Hiram and his bu-
gle, and Samantha Green had Farmer
Tompkins' son George for escort. 1t
was a real old-fashioned. democratic
party. Clergymens sons, farmers
sons, girls that worked out, chore boys
farm hands, and an heiress to 100000,
met on plane of perfect equality
without a thought of caste, and to
these were soor to be added more far
mers' sons and daughters and the only
4, of millionaire.
.'st give them a call" said Strout,
7 W 'g to Hiram, and the latter gave
~ st on his bugle. which sent fin
GERS to the ears of his listeners. The
handle of the door turned and opened
and Hubby entered, her mother leaning
upon her arm
They were greeted by hand clapping
and cries Of Good evening" from the
marty, and all eyes were fixed upon
Strout, who stood as if petrified and
gaZed at the three figures that came
through the open door and stood be-
hind Huldy and her mother. Hamlet
following the fleeting apparition on
the battlements of the castle at EIsi.
more, Macbeth viewing Banquo at his
feast, or Richard the Third gazing on
the ghostly panorama of the murdered
kings and princes; could not have felt
weaker at heart than did Professor
Strout when he saw the newcomers
and realized that they were there by
his express invitation.
The members of the surprise party
thought Strout had forgotten his
speech, and cries of Speech"
"Speech!" "Give us the speech" fell
upon his ear, but no words fell from
his lips. 1t was cruel blow, but no
crueler than the unfounded stories
that he had started and circulated
about the town for the past three
months. Those who had thought it
was mean not to invite the Pettengills
and Mr.. Sawyer enjoyed his discomfit-
ure and were the loudest in calling for
a speech.
The situation became somewhat
strained. and Hubby looked up to Quin-
cy with an expression that seemed to
say, How are we going to get out of
this?
Quite number of the party saw
Ills IOUh anu DSSdH VAIL
ing out ''Mr. Sawyer, give us
speech!" "a speech from Mr.. Saw
yer!"
Hubby smiled and nodded to Quincy.
and then there were loud cries of
"Sneech!" Speech" and clapping of
hands.
Abner Stiles got up and gave his
chair to Professor Strout, w-lo sank
into it. saying as he did so, 81 guess it
was the heat"
Quincy stepped forward and bowling
to l1uldy and then to Mrs. Mason, adj
dressed the party in low but clearly
distinct voice.
Authorized by these ladies to speak
for them, desire to return sincere
thanks for this manifestation of your
regard for them. Your visit was en-
tirely unexpected by Miss Mason and
a great surprise to her. But it is a
most pleasant surprise, and she de-
sires me to thank you again and again
for your kind thoughts and your good
company this evening. She and her
mother join in giving you q most
hearty welcome. They wish you to
make yourself at home and will do
all in their power to make the evening
a happy one and one long to be re-
membered by the Inhabitants of Ma
sons Corner. The inception Of this
happy event, learn, is due to Profess
sor Strout, who for some time, under
stand, has been Miss Mason's music
teacher, and the ladies', whose ideas
am expressing, desire me to call upon
him to take charge of the festivities
1,,.s,, 10 cuannccf,,1 n1N
as he is no doubt competent and will
ing to do"
Quincy bowed low and retired be-
hind the other members of the party
Quincy's speech was greeted with
cheers and more clapping of hands.
Even Strout's friends were pleased by
the graceful compliment paid to the
Professor, and joined in the applause.
Strout had by this time fully recov-
cred his equanimity. A chair was
placed upon the kitchen table and Alb
ner Stiles was boosted up and took
his seat thereon. While he was tun-
ing up his fiddle the Professor opened
a package that one of the girls handed
to him and passed a pair Of knitted
woollen wristers to each lady in the
company. He gave three pairs to
Hubby. who in turn gave one pair to
her mother and one to Alice. There
were several pairs over, as several
girls who had been expected to join the
party had not come.
Now, Mrs. Mason" said the Profess
sor, could you kindly supply me with
a couple of small baskets. or if not,
with couple of milk pans?"
The Professor took one of the pans
and Robert Wood the other.
'''rhe ladies will please form in line"
cried the Professor; which was done.
Now will each lady," said the Profes-
sor, as she marches between us,
throw one wrister in one pan and
t'other wrister in the other pan? Give
us a good, lively march, Abner," he
added, and the music began.
The procession passed between the
upheld pans, one wrister of each pair
thrown right and the other left, as it
moved on.
The music started up again and the
procession moved forward and the
work of selection was completed.
Again the music stopped. Now will
the gentlemen form in line, and as
they march forward each one take a
wrister from the pan that hold" said