Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1903-11-28
CHAPTER XII.
Looking for a Boarding Place.

When Quincy awoke in his room at
the hotel on the morning after the ac-
cident he found to his great surprise
that it was o'clock. He arose and
dressed quickly, and after a light
breakfast started off towards Uncle
Ike's. Reaching the house he was as
tonished at the sight that met his gaze.
Everything was out of place. The
bed was down and the bedding tied UP
In bundles; the books had been taken
from the bookcase and had been piled
mp on the table. There was no fire in
s5the stove, and the funnel was laid upon
the top of it. Quincy had remembered
that he had seen pile of SCOT on the
ground near the steps as he came up
4the,n. All of Uncle Ike's cooking uten-
Sils were packed in a soap box which
stood near the stove.
Z whats the matter, Mr. Pettengill,
ire you going to moye?" asked Quincy.
''For time at least" replied Uncle
Ike. 'Zeke Pettengill's sister has
been struck blind and he is going to
bring her down home this afternoon
and / am going to live with them and
be company for her. always thought
las, much of Alice as if she was my own
daughter, and now she is in trouble,
her old uncle isn't going back on her.
1 It isn't Ike PettengiIl's way"
Have you seen Ezekiel Pettengill
this morning." asked Quincy.
mo, nor / didn't expect to-" replied
Uncle Ike. II suppose he went to Bos-
ton on the nine O'Clock train and will
be back on the 8 o'clock express"
Mr. Pettengill,'' said Quincy, "can
! you give me fifteen minutes time for
( a talk?"
"a ssWelI," said Uncle Ike, looking at
his watch cit will be half an hour be-
fore Cobb's twins will be down here
with the team, and / might as we'll
listen to you as sit around and do moth
ing They are coming down again by
and by to get the chickens. I have a
good mind to set the house on fire and
burn it up. If don't, suppose some
tramp will. and If ] need another
house like it. thank the Lord I've got
money enough to build it,"
'sNo, don't burn it up, Mr.. Petten-
gill; said Quincy, "Let it to me. I
am around looking for boarding place
myself
"Why, what's the matter what made
you leave Deacon Mason's?"
HThat's what want to tell you %
said Quincy. "Time is limited and
I'll make my story short. but you are
friend of my fathers. and want you
to understand the whole business"
.sWhy. what have YOU been up to?"
asked Uncle Ike. opening his eyes.
Nothing" said Quincy, "and that's
the trouble. When I went to Deacon
Mason's nobody told me that his
daughter was engaged to Ezekiel Pet
tengilI."
aAnd she isn't" interjected Uncle
Ike.
.swell," said Quincy. "they have been
keeping company together, but didn't
know it. Miss Mason is pretty girl
and very pleasant one. Time hung
heavily en- my hands and I naturally
= paid fhef some attentions: gave her
flowers and candy, and took her out to
ride, but never thought of falling in
love with her. and l am not conceited
enough to think she is in love with
me-"
well / don't know" said Uncle Ike
reflectively Perhaps she has heard
yonr father was worth a million dol.
lars
tfNo. don't believe that" said Ouin.
cy "Miss Mason is too true and hon.
est girl to marry man simply for
his money"
9'wel1, I think you are right there
renArked Unc4s IKE.
s'New Years fright" said Qiiiney, t.at
the concert in the TOWN han, 5trout
the sifIgiSs taaciier, gor down on me
because Miss. Fiitfatn and rsosiVed
40 much apDlause Eog SINGING due;
together. Then / broke his hearf bS
@histling a tune for the girls and boys
and then again he doesn't like me be
cause am from the city, he hired z
fellow 10 whip me. but the fellow didn't
IsnnR hnM ta box and knocked hin