Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-19
CHAPTER XVI.
The Surprise Party.

the surprise f~dTSys
After Alice had taken her place on
the back seat in the double sleigh,
Quincy started to take his place on the
front seat, beside Ezekiel, but the lat
ter motioned him to sit beside Alice,
End Quincy did SO without needing any
urging.
AS Ezekiel took up the reins, Quincy
leaned forward and touched him on
the shoulder.
"I've just thought" said he, "that
I've made big Liunder and can't see
how can repair It,"
whats the matter?" asked Ezekiel;
and Alice turned an inquiring face to-
wards Quincy.
1.-THE fact is" Quincy continued, 81
ordered some ice cream and cake sent
down from the city for the show to
night, but forgot, ! am ashamed to
say, to make arrangem ents to have it
sent up to Deacon Mason's. 1t will be
directed to him, but the station agent
won't be likely to send it UP before to-
morrow"
what time is it?" asked Ezekiel.
Quincy looked at his watch and re-
piled. 1T is just half-past four"
s:Why do we go so early?" inquired
Alice. .they will not have tea till six"
"Oh," said Ezekiel. 81 intended to
give you a sleigh ride first anyway.
Now with this pair of trotters am go
ing to take you over to marlborough
Centre and have you back at Deacon
Mason's barn door in just one hour
and with appetites that it will take
two suppers to satisfy"
With this Ezekiel whipped up his
horses and they dashed off towards the
town. A short distance beyond Uncle
Ike's chicken coop they met Abner
Stiles driving home from the Centre
He nodded to Ezekiel, but Quincy did
not notice him, being engaged in con-
versation with Alice at the time They
reached the station, and Quincy gave
orders to have the material sent up,
so that 1t would arrive at about $50
Ezekiel more than kept his promise,
for they reached Deacon Mason's barn
at exactly 500. Hiram was on hand
to put I'D the horses, and told Quincy
In whisper that some Of the boys
thought 1t was mighty mean not to in
wife the Pettengill folks and their
boarder.
The sharp air had whetted the appe-
tites of the travellers during their six
mile ride, and they did full justice to
the nicely-cooked food that the dea-
cons wife placed before them. Sup
per was over before 7:15, and in half
an hour the dishes were washd and
put away and the quartet of young
folks adjourned to the parlor.
Quincy took his seat at the piano and
beean playing a popular air.
"Oh, let us sing som ething,'' cried
Hubby, "You know have been taking
lessons from Professor Strout, and he
says have improved greatly. If he
says it you know 1t must be so; and,
did you know, Alice. that Ezekiel has a
fine baritone voice?"
I'VE used to sing good deal togeth-
er., said Lice, "but was no judge of
voices then
3 well. 'zeke don't know a note of
music continued Huldy, "but he has
Quick ear and ne seems to know nat
urally just how to use his voice.
oh, nonsense" said Ezekiel, 81
don't know how to sing, only hum a
little. Sing US something, Mr.. Saw
yer" said he.
Quincy sang a song very popular at
the time, entitled "The Jockey Hat and
Feather" All four joined in the cho-
rus. and at the close the room rang
with laughter. Quincy then struck up
another popular air, Pop Goes the
Weasel" and this was sung by the
four with great gusto. Then he look
ed over the music on the top Of the
piano, which was Bourne e Leayitt
square, and found a copy of the can
tata entitled, "The Haymakers," and
for half an hour the solos and choruses
rang through the house and out upon
the evening air.
Mrs. Mason looked in the door and
said, 81 wouldn't sing any more now,
1t is nearly o'clock"
And thus admonished they began
talking of lilly James engagement to
Sam Hill and the sale Of the grocery
store, which was to come off the next
day.
Il wonder who will buy it?" asked
Hubby.
sWeli. hear strout has got some
hackers" said Ezekiel. "but don't see
what good 1t will be to him unless he
is appointed postmaster. They say he
has written to Washington and applied
for the position"
Quincy pricked up his ears at this.
He had almost forgotten this chance
to put another spoke in Mr.. Strout's
wheel. He made mental rnemoran-
dunn to send kilograms to two Massa-
! chusetts congressman with whom he
was well acquainted to hold up Strout's
appointment at all hazards until they
heard from him again.
A little after Z o'clock the advance
guard of the surprise party arrived at
Hills grocery, which was the appoint
ed rendezvous. Abner Stiles drew
strout to one side and said, 81 saw
the Pettengill folks and that city Teller
in 'Zeke's double sleigh going over to
the Centre at about 5 o'clock"
$50 much the better" said Strout.
do you know where they've gomez"
inquired Stiles.
mo, but / guess can find out"
Strout replied.
He had spied Mandy Skinner among
a crowd OF girls on the platform. He
called her and she came to him.
Did Mr.. Pettengill and his sister
take tea at home tonight?"
NO." said Mandy. 81 told them I
was going away tonight, and Mr.. Pet
tengill said they were going away too.
And Cobb's twins told me at dinner
firT,p that tbou xno,1ldp'f ha Oft hare t<,