Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-30

room and Uncle Roberts prime cigars
were offered to Sir Stuart and Quincy.
But Aunt Ella had too much to say to
think of her cigarette. For an hour
conversation was general; everybody
took part in it. The events Of the
past year, which were of so great in
terest to all present, were gone over,
and when conversation Jagged it was
because everybody knew everything
that everybody else knew.
Quincy spent that night at his faith
er's house. The next morning his
mother told him that the author had
selected Christmas day on which to be
received by them at dinner, and that
she was making unusual preparations
for that event.
81 wish could invite few friends
to meet her that day." said Quincy.
You may invite as many as you
choose, Quincy, if you will promise to
be here yourself. You have been away
from home so much the past year
hardly anticipate the pleasure of your
company on that day"
Have no fear, mother" Quincy said.
81 wish very much to meet the author
that father and you are so greatly
pleased q ., with. Of course Aunt Ella is
Certainly" answered his mother.
81 understand that the author has been
stopping with her since the reception"
Then all adjourned to Aunt Elias
81 shall invite five friends" said
Quincy, "and you may depend upon
me-"
To his mothers surprise he gave her
a slight embrace, light kiss upon
| her cheek, and was gone.
The sun showedti cheerful face on
Christmas morning. The snow that
fell a fortnight previous had been
washed away by continued heavy
rains. A cold wind, biting, but health
full, quickened the pulse and brought
roses to the cheeks of holiday pedes-
TRANS.
The program for the meals on
Christmas day had been arranged by
Mrs. Sawyer as follows: Breakfast at
8, dinner at 1, and light supper at 6.
1t had always been the rule in the Saw
yer family to exchange Christmas gifts
at the breakfast hour. Quincy was
present, and his father, mother, and
sisters thanked him for the valuable
presents that bore his card. Father
mother and sisters, on their part, had
not forgotten Quincy, and the reunited
family had the most enjoyable time
that they had experienced for a year.
AS Quincy rose to leave the table,
he said to his mother, II have another
gift for father and you, but it has not
yet arrived. am going to see about
| it this morning"
"You will be sure to come to dinner
, Quincy" fell from his mothers lips.
81 promise you, mother" he replied
would not miss it for anything"
A little after noon time, the Chess
man carriage arrived at the Beacon
street mansion of the Hon. Nathaniel
Adams Sawyer, and a moment later
Mrs. Ella Chessman and the young
author, Bruce Douglas, were ushered
into the spacious and elegant parlor
They were received by Mr.. and Mrs
/ Sawyer and their daughter Florence.
Twenty minutes later a carriage ar
rived before the same mansion. Its
occupants were Sir Stuart Fernbor
ough, his granddaughter, and Mdme
Archimbault. A few minutes later Mr.
and Mrs. Leopold Ernst appeared, hav
ing walked thenshort distance from
their rooms on Chestnut street. The
new arrivals were presented to Mr.
and Mrs. Sawyer by Mrs. Chessmar
and pleasant ante-prandial CONVEX
4 Sation was soon under way.
(. From behind the curtains of a sec
ond-story window of the mansion, 9
young miss had watched the arriva
and departure of the carriages. AS
\ the second one drove away she ex
claimed, ooh! what lark! Those
1 last folks came in Aunt Elias carriage
too. bet Quincy and auntie have pu
up some sort of game on pa and ma
lii won't 20 down stairs till Quinc.
comes for want to give my new sis
ter hug and squeeze and kiss
and sha'n't dare to do it till Quinc!
has introduced her to pa and ma.
4 At that moment the young man
i faultlessly attired, came down stair!
from the third story, and Maudt
sprang out from her doorway on thu
second floor and said in whisper
"How long have you been home, Quin
cy2"
81 came in about 1880" he replied
"Oh, you rogue" cried Maude. g
nave D6eu Watching OuI ZIG WlHuON
for an hour. see it all now, you DON
mean to give pa and ma chance t,
say boo until after dinner. Let me g
down first, Quincy
Maude went down stairs and wa
duly presented to the assembled guest
as the youngest scion of the house
Sawyer.
At exactly five minutes of one Quin
cy entered the parlor through the rea
door. Aunt Ella and Alice were seat
ed side by side between the two from
windows. AS Quincy advanced he es
!, changed the compliments of the sea
son with the guests. Finally the Hon
, Nathaniel and his son Quincy stoo
facing Aunt Ella and Alice.
Quincy" said his father, in slow
measured tones. sit gives me grea
pleasure to present you to the cele
brated young author, Bruce Douglas.
Quincy bent low and Alice incline
her head in acknowledgment H
reached forward, clasped her hand il
his and took his place by her side
Father, mother, and sisters" he criec
and there was a proud tone in hi
, clear, ringing voice, "there is still ar
other presentation to be made-tha
/. Christmas gift of which | spoke thi
morning at breakfast. You see | hol
!. this lady by the hand. which prove