Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-02-02

of vantage were occupied. The guests
at the banquet numbered fully sixty.
A Boston caterer, with corps OF
trained walters, had charge of the din
ner. During it's progress the Cotton
ton brass band performed at intervals.
They were stationed in Putnam square
and the music was not an oppressive
and disturbing element, as it often is
at close range on such occasions.
When coffee was served, Toastmas-
ter Obadiah Strout, Esq, arose, and
the eyes of banqueters and sightseers
were turned towards MIN.
"This is a glorious day in the histo-
ry of our town." the POSTMASTER be-
gan. "The pleasant duty has fallen to
me of proposing the toasts to which we
shall drink, and of introducing our
honored guests one by one. / know
that words of advice and encourage
ment will come from them. But be-
fore perform the duties that have
been allotted to me, it is my privilege
to make short address. Instead OF
doing so, l shall tell you a little story,
and it will be different kind of a
story from what | have been in the
habit of telling.
This remark caused an audible tit
ter to arise from some of the auditors
in the galleries, and Abner Stiles, who
was sitting behind Mrs. Hawkins,
leaned over and said to her, Il guess
he's goin to tell a true story"
The POSTMASTER continued: More
than six years ago a young man from
the city arrived in this town. 1t was
given out that he came down here for
his health, but he wasn't so sick but
that he could begin to take an active
part in town affairs as soon as he got
here. They say confession is good for
the soul, and I'm goin' to confess that
l didn't take to this young man.
thought he was a city swell, who had
come down here to show off, and in
company with several friends, who
looked at his visit down here about
the same as l did. we did all we could
for a couple of months to try and drive
him out of town. Now l am comm
to the point that I want to make. If
we had let him alone the chances are
4 that he wouldn't have stayed here
more than month any way Now,
s'posen he had gone home at the end
of the month; in that case he never
would have met the lady who sits by
his side tonight, and who by her mar
riage has added new lustre to her ma
tive town. If he had not remained,
she never would have written those
stories which are known the world
over and | tell you. fellow-citizens,
that in writing Blennerhassett, An
American Countess, the Majesty of the
Law, and the Street Boy, she has done
more to make this town famous than
all the men who were ever born in it..
The speaker paused and drank a
glass of water, while cheers and APP
plause came from all parts of the gal
| lery. Abner Stiles apparently forgot
his surroundings, and, thinking proba-
bly, that it was a political rally, called
out "Three cheers for Alice Petten-
gill;" which were given with a will,
much to his delight, and the surprise
OIL the banaueters.
The POSTMASTER resumed: eff he
had gone away disguised with the
town and it's people, he never would
have found out who Indy Putnam
really was, and she, consequently
would never have been what she is to-
day, a peerless of England and the
great benefactress of this town, lady
who will always have our deepest af
lection and most sincere gratitude"
Again the orator paused, and the au
dience arose to it's feet. Applause
cheers, and the waving of handker
chiefs attested that the speakers
words had voiced the popular feeling
Once more Abner Stiles voice rose
above the din, and three cheers fol
''Lindy Putnam, Countess of Sussex
4 cri1r with q will thot !, r
band outside caught the enthusiasm
which most of the audience supposed
vas America"
In conclusion" said the orator, 81
have one more point to make, and that
! is purely personal one. Some writer
has said the end justifies the means
and another writer puts it this way
Do evil that good may come In
| these two sayin's lies all the justifica
/ tion for many sayin's and doins that
can be found; and if l were conceit
ed man or one inclined to praise my
own actions, 1 should say that the gooG
fortune of many of our distinguished
guests this evening, and the handsome
| financial backin' that this town has
received, are due principally to my
personal exertions."
Here the speaker paused again ant
wiped his forehead, which was be
dewed with perspiration.
Good Lord" said Mrs. Hawkins tt
Olive Green, who sat next to her, "tc
hear that man talk anybuddy would
think that nobuddy else in the towr
ever did anything"
ITO conclude" said the speaker, 9"
don't wish, feller-citizens, to have yo,
understand that am defendin' my &C
lions. They were mean in spirit ant
mean in the way in which they were
done, but the one against whom the,
were directed returned good for evil
and heaped Goals of fire upon my head
AT time when events made me thinl
he was my greatest enemy, he becam,
my greatest friend. 1t is to his as
sistance, advice, and influence that
owe the present honorable position
that l hold in this town. and here to
night, in his presence, and in the pres
ence of you all, have made this con
fession to show that 1 am truly repent
ant for the past. Al the same time,
cannot help rejoicing in the good fol
tune that those misdeeds were tn
means of securin' for us ALL
AS the speaker sat down. oyercom