Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-21
CHAPTER VII.
Chat City Eeller.n

AS usual, the next morning Hiram
was down to the Pettengill house be-
tween nine and ten O'Clock. He open
ed the kitchen door unobseryed by
Mandy and looked in at her. She was
standing at the sink washing dishes
and singing to herself. Suddenly Hi
ram gave a jump into the room and
cried out in a loud voice, How are
you. Mandy?"
She dropped a tin pan that she was
wiping, which fell with clatter,
breaking plate that happened to be
in the sink.
I'm much worse, thank you" she
retorted, "and none the better for see
ing you. What do you mean by com
ing into the house and yelling like a
wild Injin? | shall expect YOU to pay
for that plate anyway"
/ "He who breaks pays" said Hiram
with laugh. But why don't you
shake hands with fellow
! Il will if like and won't if like"
said Mandy. extending her hand. which
! was covered with soapsuds.
I wipe your hand. said Hiram, "and
I'll give you this ten cents to pay for
the plate"
/ AS he said this he extended the mon
1 ey towards her handy did not at
I tempt to take it, but giving her wet
hand flip threw the soapsuds full in
Hiram's face. He rushed forward and
/ caught her about the waist: as he did
SO he dropped the money, which rolled
under the kitchen table.
/ Mandy turned around quickly and
facing Hiram, caught him by both
ears, which she pulled vigorously. He
released his hold upon her and jumped
back to escape further punishment.
Now. Mr.. Hiram Maxwell" said
she, facing him, what do you mean
/ by such actions? I've a good mind to
put you outdoors and never set eyes
on you again. What would Mr.. Pet
tengill have thought if he'd a come in
a minute ago."
! II guess he'd q thought that | was
gittin' on better'n | really am" said
Hiram, with crestfallen look, Now,
Mandy, don't get mad. didn't mean
nothin' was only foolin' and you be-
gan it fust. by throwin' that dirty wa.
ter in my face. and no Teller that had
any SUNK could stand that" AS he
said this. broad smile covered his
face. Say, Mandy" he continued,
there comes Obadiah Strout, we'd bet,
ter make up before he gifts in or it'll
be all over town that you and me have
been fightin'. Got any chores this
mornin', Mandy, that can do for
your"
4 At this moment the kitchen door
] was again opened and Professor Strout
entered
i where's Pettengill?" he asked OF
Mandy, not noticing Hiram
i 4 guess he's out in the wood-she
il he hasn't gone somewneres else" re.
piled Mandy, resuming her work at
the sink.
! Strout turned towards Hiram and
said, as if he had been unaware previ
ously of his presence, ooh, you there
4 Hiram? Just go find Pettengill for me
like good Teller and tell him Profess
sor Strout wishes to see him up to the
house
''At the same time, Hiram" said
4 Mandy, "go find me that dozen eggs
that I told you wanted for that pud
DIM"
Hiram winl1ed at Mandy, unseen by
the Professor, and started for the
chicken coop.
Guess I'll have a chair" remarked
the Professor.
"All right, if you don't take it will
you when you go replied Mandy, still
busily washing dishes.
Zine weather" said Strout.
4 "Sorter between" laconically re
piled Mandy.
did you enjoy the concerto" asked
Strout.
sSome parts of it," said Mandy. q
thought Mr.. Sawyer and Miss Putnam
were Just splendid. His whistling was
just grand
Hell whistle another kind of :
tune IN few days" remarked Strout
f'What2 Are you going 10 give an
J other eonoerr2" asked Mandy. looking
at him for the FIRST time.
i aff I DO" replied the Professor, syo,
bet he won't be,one o. the performers. :
"Oh, ! SET" said. 4landy, you're mac
, with him cause he hogged the whole
show. Mr.. Maxwell was jus; telling
me as how Mr. Sawyer was going t.
alhire the town hall on Washington