Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1903-11-17
,,1ls Il sEsss.,S. sssEs.. i. s

SAID lilly contemporary.
She turned away, followed by num-
Der of the girls. "He knows well
enough" she observed in an undertone,
but he won't tell. He's gone on HUI
dy, and when feller's gone on a girl
he's pretty sure to keep the run of
her"
In the meantime Lindy Putnam had
been using her most persuasive powers
of coaxing on Ezekiel and with some
success, for Ezekiel told quite long
story, but with very little information
in it. He told the crowd of girls gath
cred about him that he'd be % January
g, and that ever since he was little
boy, which was, of course, before any
of those present were born, he'd al
ways followed the rule of not saying
anything unless he knew what he was
talking about.
Now" said Ezekiel, feeling that it
was better to talk on than to stand
sheep-facedly before this crowd of
eager, expectant faces, 81 might tell
yer that Huldy was ter hum and wasn't
comm up tonight, but yer see, p'r'haps
she's on the road now and may pop in
here any minute! Course you all
| know that Deacon Mason's got board
| er, young feller from the city. Pr'aps
he'll come up with Hubby. But heerd
tell his health want very good and
mebbe he went to bed right after sup
per-"
whats he down here for anyway"
asked Tilly James.
Nov you've got me" replied 'Zekiel
| s'pose he had some purpose in yiew
but you see l amt positive even of
that. AS | said before, | heerd he's
come down here for his health. It's
too late for rakin' hay, and as hard
works the best country doctor, p'r'aps
he'll go to chopin wood but there's
one point | feel kinder positive on"
What is it? What is it?" cried the
girls, as they looked into his face in
quiringly.
i wall. 1 think" drawled Ezekiel,
"that when he gifts what he's come for,
he'll be mighty apt to pull up stakes
and go back to Boston"
Again the outer door creaked upon
it's hinges, and again every face was
turned to see who the newcomer
might be.
Here she is" cried dozen voices
and the owners thereof rushed forward
to greet and embrace Miss Hubby Ma
son. the deacons daughter and the
) most popular girl in the village.
; Ezekiel turned and saw that she was
alone Evidently the city fellow had
not come with her.
Huldy was somewhat astonished al
the warmth of her greeting. and was a
t a loss to understand the reason for it
until Lindy Putnam said:
Didn't he come with you?"
!. "Wh6?" asked Hubby, with wide
: open eyes.
, "Oh, you can't fool u.s." cried Till.
t James. "zeke Pettengill told us al
D about that city feller that's boarding
5 down to your house. We We're jus
talking it over together, and he sur
Y missed that it might be the same on
!, that You met down to your aunt
h house. when you went to Boston las
4 summer"
AS Mr.. Pettengill seems to know s,
U much about my gentlemen friends,
Z YOU want any more information, n
s doubt he can supply it, said Huld
: coldly.
e "'Zeke kinder thought" said Bo
= Wood "that he might be tired, an
. probably went to bed right after SUI
!. per"
Well, he didn't" said Hubby. nov
v thoroughly excited, che came with n.
n and he's outside now talking with H
. ram about the barge
e "Why don't he come in?" asked Bo
II Wood. "P'raps he's bashful."
n 'If he didn't have no more commo
It sense than you've got" retorted Huld.
n he'd have to go to bed as soon as h
g. had eaten his supper"
o The laugh that followed this remar
le so incensed Wood that he answere
" coarsely, Il never saw one of thos
city chaps who knew from bull
g foot"
" Perhaps he'll teach you the diffe
n ence some day." remarked Huldy sa
rt castically.
g, well. guess not. said Wood wit
Is sneer; "less he can put two BIS
I'd able
n Further alteration was stopped |
is the sudden entrance of Mr. Stront, WI
ne quickly ascended the platform al
v. called the society to order. 1t mu
se be acknowledged that the profess
had a good knowledge of music al
20 thoroughly understood the very dii
n cult art of directing a mixed chorus
iy uncultivated voices. With him enth
en- siasm was more important than
if strict adherence to quavers and sen
1T quavers, and what was lost in fiji
up touches was more than made up in "
er ume of tone
Again, the professor paid strict ;
ge tention to business at rehearsals, al
or the progress of the society in music
dy knowledge had been very marked.
i'm it is not to be wondered at that t
~ various numbers allotted TO the chor
on the next evenings program we
lid gone through quickly and to the e
iul dent satisfaction of the leader.
er The last number to be taken up "
lis an original composition, written a
Zip composed by the singing-master hi
all self. and during it's rehearsal his {
We thusiasm reached its highest pitch.
Up, the conclusion of the chorus, viii
Ter had been rendered with remarkal
he spirit, the professor darted from
be end of the platform to the other, cryi
ass ont Bravo, Fust rate. Do it agai
That II fetch 'em.''
iel After several repetitions OF the G.
OF rus. each one given with increasi
en- spirit and volume. the professor thr
Il. IA