Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-31

town meetin'?"
mister Moderator, said Mr., Smith,
II am citizen of this town and I'm
entitled to be heard in this meeting,
and the matter that I'm about to bring
to the attention of this meeting is a.
most important one and affects the in
terests OF the town materially. I con-
slider that l have a right to read this
letter or any other letter that relates
to the question before the meeting,
which is. Shall money be appropriate
ed to buy books for what is called the
town library?' say NO and my rea-
son for this is contained in this letter,
which / propose to read"
Go on, Mr.. Smith" said the Moder-
ator.
Well" continued Mr.. Smith, "Mr.
Quincy Adams Sawyer, in this letter,
offers to the town of Marlborough the
sum of $4,000 to be used either for
purchasing books and paying the ex-
penses of library to be located in the
town hall; or a portion of the money
may be used to build a suitable build
ing and the balance for the equipment
and support of the library"
Mr.Butterfield was on his feet again.
Mister Moderator, I'm agin accept
in this donation. If we take it. we
shall only jump outer the fryin-pan In
ter the fire; instead of buyin' a few
books and payin' the Hbrari'n a dollar
week, we shall hev to hev jan'ter
for the new buildin' and pay fer insur.
ance, and we shall hev to hey librar-
in ev'ry day in. Their week, and by'm
by the ungodly will want to hev it
open on a Sunday, SO tibet they kin
hev place to loaf in; and I'm agin the
whole bizness teetotally. I've sed my
say; meow, you kin go ahead, and do
jest as you please
This was Mr.. Butterfield's usual
wind-up to his arguments; but on this
occasion it seemed to fail of its eff
feet.
The Moderator said, "Was Mr.. But
terf1eld's motion seconded?" There
was no response. ''Then the matter
before the meeting is the question Of
appropriating money for the support
OF the town library"
Mister Moderator" said Mr.. Smith
Il move that the donation from Mr..
Quincy Adams Sawyer be accepted,
and that the library be named 1.-THE
Sawyer Free Public Library of the
Town of Eastborough.
Second the motiop!" came from a
hundred voices.
Strout was on his feet again.
Mister Moderator" said he. 81
move to amend the motion by havin'
1t read that we decline, that the town
declines the donation without thanks
Abner Stiles had evidently misinter-
preted Mr.. Strout's motion, for he
called out, Mister Moderator" and
when he got the floor, II move to
amend SO that the motion would read,
this library shall be called the Strout
Free Library of the Town of Eastbor.
ough." '.i n 4
This was greeted with shouts Of
laughter, and Strout grasped Abner
by his coat collar and pulled him VIC
lently back upon the settee.
Shut up, you fool" cried he be-
tween his teeth to Abner;; ado you
want to make laughin' stock Of me?"
I kinder thought ! wuz a-helpin'
yer" said Abner, as he ran his fingers
down under his chin and pulled away,
his shirt collar, which had been drawn
back so forcibly that it interfered with
his breathing.
THE question nowa,a said the Mod
orator, is on the adoption Of Mr..
Smiths motion. Those in, favor will
please stand up and be counted"
When the tellers had attended to
their duty the Moderator said, "Those
opposed VIII now rise and be counted"
The vote was soon announced. In
favor of accepting the donation, Sol;
opposed So. ~
tits a vote" declared the Modera-
tor.
A dozen matters Of minor impor-
lance were quickly disposed of, and
but one remained upon the warrant.
with the exception Of the election of
town officers. Little squads of the
members were now gathered together
talking over the most important ques-.
ton OF the meeting, which was the
election Of town officers for the ensu-
ing year. The last item on the war
rant read: "Will the town appropri.
ate money to buy new hearse?'
Mr.. Butterfield had evidently been
holding himself in reserve, for he was
on his feet in an instant, and he Sc
cured the eye of the Moderator and
the floor
Mister Moderator" began Mr.. But
terrified, II desire to raise my voice
agin this biznez of unnecessary and
unexampled extravaganza. What do
we want Of a new hearse? Those who
are dead and in the cemetery don't
find any fault with the one we've got.
and those who are livin have no pres
emit use for it. and why should they
complain? l know what this means.
This is only an enterin' wedge. II this
ere bill passes and we git new.
hearse then it will be said tibet Their
horses don't look as we'll as the
hearse and then If the hearse
gifts out in Their storm, we shell
hev ter pay money to git it polished up
agin, and we who are Twin will hev to
work harder ard harder for the benefit