Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-29

CHAPIER AXNll-(COntlnueu
The next morning at about 8 O'Clock
Abbott Smith arrived at Pettengilps,
having with him Mr.. Wallace Stack
pole. Quincy was ready for the trip,
and they started Immediately for East
borough Centre. On the way Quincy
had plenty of time for conversation
with Mr.. Stackpole. The latter gave a
true account of the cause that had led
to his losing his election as tax collect
or at the town meeting year before.
He had been taken sick on the train
while coming from Boston, and kind
passenger had given him drink OF
brandy. He acknowledged that he
took too much, and that he really was
unable to walk when he reached tho
station at Eastborough Centre; but h
said that he was not drinking man
and would not have taken the brand.
ii he had not been sick. They reached
Marlborough Centre in due season, bui
made no stop, continuing on to Yves
Eastborough to the home of Abbot
Smiths father.
Here Quincy was introduced to Bias
Smith, and found that what had beef
said about him was not overstated
He was tall, heavily-built man, with
q hard, rugged face, but with a pleas
ant and powerful ceuntenance; and, in
the course of conversation, ran the
whole gamut of oratorical expression.
He was what New England country
towns have so often produced-a nat
ural born orator. In addition he was
!. m up-toadate man. He was we'll read
In history, and kept close eye on cur
rent political events, including not
only local matters, but state and ma
tional affairs as we'll.
Quincy gave him Strout's war record
that he had obtained from the adjutant
GENERALS Office, and it was read over
and compared with that of Wallace
Stackpole, which was also in Bias
Smiths possession. Mr.. Stackpole
had obtained from the town clerk a
statement of taxes due and collected
Tor the past twenty years, and this
was also delivered to Mr.. Smith.
Quincy confided to Mr.. Smith several
matters that he wished attended to in
town meeting, and the latter agreed to
present them, as requested.
It was finally settled that Bias Smith
and Mr.. Stackpole should come over to
Mason's Corner the following Satur-
day and see if Deacon Mason would
agree to act as moderator at the an
nual town meeting on the following
Monday, the warrants for same having
already been posted.
When Quincy reached home he found
Hiram waiting for him. They went
into Jacobs Parlor. and took their ac-
customed seats.
.sAny news ?" asked Quincy.
Not word said Hiram, neither
Strout or Abner have been seen on the
street sence the sale wuz over, but
Strout has got hold of itssome way that
Hulay's engaged to 'Zeke Pettengill,
and it's all over town" .i.1
At that moment Ezekiel opened the.
door and stepped into the shed. There
was a roguish twinkle in his eye and
Q smile about his lips as he advanced
towards Quincy.
WAL, the cats out o. the beg beg. |" said
he to Quincy.
Eyes, Hiram was Just telling me
that Strout got hold Of 1t in some
way
'Yaas," said Ezekiel, che got hold of
It In ,fhe most direct way that he pos
nib1y could"
~How's that" asked Quincy, "did
Miss Mason tell him"
''Yaas," said Ezekiel, she seemed to
want satisfactory reason why She
couldn't marry him, and it sorter seem
cd to her that the best reason that she
could give him was that she; was en-
gagged to marry me-
Hiram nearly lost his seat on the
chopping block while expressing his
delight, and on Quincy's face there
was a look Of quiet satisfaction that in
Dictated that he was quite well satisfied
with the present condition Of affairs.
by the way. Hiram" said Quincy,
Il believe you told me once that Mrs.
Hawkins, who keeps the the house