davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

consider typically American. Eye.
brows that curved far down along the
temples and eyelashes of darkness in
contrast to the prevailing note of his
complexion combined to lend him a
rather brooding, soft and melancholy
air which very cursory second ex-
animation showed to be fictitious. His
eyes, like the woodlands, were steady,
but inquiring. His jaw was square and
other inmates of the car he wore an
ordinary business suit, somewhat worn,
but of good cut and style that showed
even over the soft flannel shirt. The
trousers were, however, bound inside
the usual socks and rubbers.
The two seat mates had occupied
their time each in his own fashion. The
elder stared straight before him and
Spat with certain periodicity into the
center of the aisle. The younge.
stretched back lazily in an attitdue of
ease. Sometimes he smoked a pipe
Thrice he read over letter. 1t was
from his sister and announced her ar
yival at the little rural village in which
he had made arrangements for her tc
stay. "It is interesting now" she
wrote, though the resources do not
look as though they would wear well
I am learning under Mrs. Renwick to
sweep and dust and bake and stew and
do a multitude of other things which l
always vaguely supposed came ready
made. like it, but after 1 have learn
ed 1t all do not believe the practice
will appeal to me much. However,
can stand it well enough for year or
two or three. for am young, and then
you will have made your everlasting
fortune, of course"
'Sbe's trump" said Thorpe to him
sell, ''and she shall have her everlast-
Ing fortune if there's such q thing in
the country"
He jingled the $3.50 in his pocket and
smiled. That was the extent of his ev-
erlasting fortune at present.
The letter had been answered from
Detroit.
II am glad you are settled" he wrote
AT least know you have enough to
eat and a roof over you. I hope sin.
cerely that you will do your best to fiji
yourself to your new conditions. ]
know it is hard, but with my lack OF
experience and my ignorance as tc
where to take hold 1t may be good
many years before we can do any
better"
When Helen Thorpe read this she
cried. Things had gone wrong tina,
morning, and an encouraging WORD
would have helped her. The sombel
tone Of her brothers communication
threw her into fit Of the blues from
which for the first time she saw hel
surroundings in a depressing and dis
tasteful light And yet he had writ
ten as he did with the kindest possible
motives.
Thorpe had the misfortune to be one
bf those individuals who, though care
less of what people in general may
think Of them. are in a correspondina
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01
Low Rates to California.

Commencing March and continuing
daily until April 80, the Iowa Central
railway will place on sale special one
way excursion tickets to San Francis
CO, Los Angeles, etc., at a reduction of
$500. Only s30.S5 from Mason City,
Hampton, Eldora, Marshalltown !;
$3O.25 from Grinnell; $29.25 from Os-
kaloosa; $1,000 from Monmouth and
Peoria. Corresponding low rates from
other points.
Pullman tourist car is run through
without change each Wednesday via
Kansas City and the popular Santa Fe
system through New Mexico and Ari-
iona, arriving Los Angeles Sunday
morning 500 a. m. This car runs
through i most delightful climate at
this season of the year, where snow
blockades are unknown, and the pas
senger is not Inconvenience on ac-
count of cold
Before you make your trip call on
agents for particulars or address A. B.
Cults, G. P. & 7. A., Minneapolis, MINI.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01
Homeseekers and Settlers.

On the first and third Tuesdays Of
each month round trip excursion tick
cts are on sale to points in the west,
south and southwest at one fare plus
two dollars, return limit, 81 days from
date of sale stopoyers allowed.
On the same date special one-way
settlers tickets are on sale at trifle
more than half the regular fares.
The Iowa Central operates through
sleeping cars and free reclining chair
cars.
Call on agents for full particulars or
address A. B. Cults, G. P. & T. A., Min
neapolis, MINI.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

den from which they might secure q
lot Of nice. fresh stuff to eat, but who
do not know just how to go at 1t to, get
the results they desire. We will ven
ture suggestion or two for the bene-
fit Of any such Of our readers. We
will assume that you have three square
rods which may be thus used. First.
have it dug over foot in depth and
heavily fortified with well rotted sta
Bile manure. If the plat lies up against
a barn or fence with south or east
exposure, plant three or four grape
vines close to such wall or fence and
train them on it. On these vines have
your wife throw all the soapsuds, and
stray cats may be very advantageously,
planted near the vines (after they are
killed.; next get twenty good, strong
asparagus roots and plant two feet
apart in either row or bed, as the lay
of the plat will best suggest; put in
four roots Of pieplant plant one square
rod with strawberries and use what
land there is left for beets, early cab
bage, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, pep.
pers. Do not bother with potatoes and
corn, for this garden Of yours is too
small. We had almost forgotten the
small hotbed. which can be maze by
the side Of the barn or shed, in which
you may easily raise an early supply
of radishes and lettuce and grow
enough tomato, pepper and celery
plants for yourself and all your neigh
bors These general suggestions, If
followed oui, will result in two things
You will be more than well paid for
all your trouble, and you will find the
care Of the little garden most well
come change from the monotonous
work of the Office or store. The above
is practical if not very scientific.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

Better let It alone. I suppose you
and Bill want to come back too?" he
ADDED, turning to the next two in line.
"All right; report to Tim. Do you
want work?" he inquired of the last Of
the quartet, big, bashful mail, with
the shoulders of Hercules.
eyes, sir" answered the latter, I'M
comfortable.
What do you want?,
I'm cant hook man, SIR
Where have you worked?"
Il had job with Morgan & Steb-
bins on the Clear river last winter"
All right; we need cant hook men.
Report at SEVEN and if they don't
want you there go to thirteen
The man went out. DAILY turned to
Thorpe with the last fickers of amuse-
ment in his eyes.
what can I do for you?" he in
CURED.
81 am looking for work." Thorpe re-
piled.
what kind Of work."
"Any kind. so long as I can leaSa
something about the lumber business"
The older man studied him keenly for
few moments.
"Have you had any other business
experienced"
None"
"What have you been doingT'
Nothing"
The lumberman's eyes hardened.
eve are very busy firm here" he
said, with certain deliberation. 1--WE
do not carry big force Of men in any
one department, and each Of those men
has to fill his place and slop some over
the sides. We do not pretend or at
tempt to teach here If you want to
be a lumberman you must learn the
lumber business more directly than
through the windows Of bookkeepers
Office. Go into the woods. Learn few
first principles. Find out the differ
ence between Norway and white pine
anyway"
After his speech the business man
whirled back to his desk.
"Have you anything for me to do in
the woods, then?" the other asked
quietly.
NO." said Daily over his shoulder.
Thorpe went out. He had made the
elementary discovery that even in chop
ping wood skilled labor counts. He
did not know where to turn next, and
he would not have had the money to
go far in any case; SO, although Shear
er's brusque greeting that morning had
argued a lack of cordially, he resolved
to remind the river man of his prom
Used assistance.
That noon he carried out his resolve.
go up and tackle Railway" said
Shearer. Hes jobbing for us on the
Cass branch. He needs men for road
ing, know, because he's behind. You'll
get job there"
"Where is it?' asked Thorpe!
'eTen miles from here. She's blazed,
but you better wait for the supply
team Friday. If you try to make her
yourself you'll get lost on some Of the
old logging roads,"
Thorpe considered.
I'm busted he said at last frankly.
ooh, that's all right" replied the
walking boss. Marshall, come here"
The peglegged boarding house keeper
stumped in.
What is it?' he trumpeted snuff
ingly.
''This boy wants job till Friday.
Then he's going up to Railways with
the supply team. Now, quit your hol-
lering for chore boy for few days"
Call right" snorted Marshall. 'Take
that ax and split some dry wood that
you'll find behind the house."
"I'm very much obliged to you," be-
gan Thorpe to the walking boss, and
"That's all right" interrupted the lat
ter. "Some day you can give me a
job"
Ito be continued.)
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

We have been doingsa little practical
forestry work in our own timber Of
late, going over the sixteen acre lot
carefully and removing such trees as
seem to have fulfilled their mission.
We found that the pig nut hickory usu-
ally dies when 1t attains diameter of
six inches, and all such will be cut.
Then there were trees in punches, trees
deformed and scraggly, trees partially
dead as~results of winds and lightning.
All these will be removed, thus giving
the younger growth Of timber better
chance to develop. It is very interest
ing work, infinitely more so than TAX
ing piece Of timber and savagely cut
ting everything off. We figure that
this tract Of timber-oak, maple, elm,
Eastwood and hickory judiciously
thinned from year to year will supply
us for many years with fine hog pas
ture, nice little sugar bush, as pretty
a woodland park as one could wish for
and all the fuel we need. True, more
money might be obtained from the
land to strip 1t OF timber and grow
corn, but for Us there is something in
treeawo rthsnore thar noneYs
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01
Ito be continued.)
colonist Rates to Washington, oregon

The Iowa Central railway will sell
daily during March and April one way
excursion tickets to Portland, Tacoma
Seattle, Spokane, Helena, Butte and
other points in the Northwest, at ex.
tremely low rates. Through trains to
st. Paul and Minneapolis daily, max
ing direct connections in Union depot
with through train to the coast, giving
but one change of cars.
Rases and full particulars furnished
on application to agents. Address A.
B. Cults, G. P. & T. A., Minneapolis,
MINI.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01
THE rOWN mAN,s GARDEN,

We take it that there are hundreds
Of town n1en-men working and living
In our towns and cities and having
little bit Of land. two or three square
rods, say, on their home lot-who
would be lXstoo glad TO shaYe. a.gar.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

We find that aside from the general
misery incident to extreme cold wealth
er it costs one-third more to feed
stock and requires fully twice as much
fuel to keep things comfortable when
the mercury is 20 degrees below zero
as when it is 20 degrees above. In
this particular at least the southern
states have very great advantage
over the northern ones. It is true that
the frozen fields Of the north are ex-
empt from erosion by winter rains,
that travel is pleasanter on snow than
in mud and that the annual freezing up
Of the people tends to harden them
physically and put lots Of ginger into
them for the spring and summer
work; but, after all, there is something
mighty fine in having October weather
in January and February and all win
ter long to work outdoors and nothing
to pay for fur coats. The south should
boom this asset more than it does to
offset any deficiency in soil fertility.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

Men who use their credit to obtain
unnecessary things will usually come
to the time when they will be unable
to use 1t to secure those which are
necessary.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

AS the prairie wolf disappears his
place is taken by the red fox, more
destructive animal, so far as poultry
is concerned, than the wolf. Foxes are
becoming quite common through large
sections Of the west where they wer
never known to be before.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

When man finds that he is not rails
ing more than twenty-five bushels of
corn to the acre, there is a chance for
him to do whole lot Of studying and
investigating. Good job for the winter
season.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

It looks as If there would be much
less demand for labor in the construc-
ton of railways this year than last,
and this lessened demand by the roads
will to a certain extent affect farm la
hor
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

II you can secure one, it is well to re-
member that an alfalfa pasture for
the hogs will put size; bone and vigor
into them Snd probably do more to
render them immune to attacks of hog
diseases than any other one thing.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

The average crop Of sugar beets
seems to be about twelve tons and the
average price received about S4.2O a
ton. When the cost of raising the crop,
conservatively placed at $35 an acre,
is deducted, there is certainly nothing
to induce any man with good corn
land to go.i-to the growing of sugar
beets.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

We should think that poultry might
be kept to very great profit in the
southern states, where the winter
weather would favor the production of
eggs at time when they bring fancy
prices. If hens would lay then it would
be small matter if they took layoff
during the summer months.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

A high bred hen scored 81 points at
western poultry show not long since.
Scrub hens could have scored 100 had
they just gone to laying during Janu-
ary
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

We have not heard of single case
of cornstalk disease this season, the
stock having had the run Of the fields
without loss. Just why this should be
SO it would be interesting to know.
There was apparently just about as
much smut in the cornfelds as usual.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01
"a pRA1R1E pRsr.

The whole Of the prairie west Is now
pre-empted by the crow. It is but. a
few years since one was not to be SEEN.
Then there came time when one was
occasionally, seen, and now they have
multiplied SO fast that focks of hum
dreds and, We might say, thousands
are common thing all through the
west. The old charge SO often made
against these birds Of pulling up the
newly planted corn in the cornfields Of
the east we do not hear brought against
them in the west, perhaps because the
cornields are so large that no percep-
tible damage is done. But they do
greatly tnjure the corn growing near
their .fyways and roosts when IT gets
into the dough stage by stripping the
husks down and sucking the juice from
the kernels: They also wage an un-
ceasing war on other birds by Destroy
ing their nests and eating the3eggs and
young birds. While the crow will fol-
low the 'ploT-, he is mostly after angle
worms, which are always good friends
of the farmer. We rate this bird as a
nuisance, pirate and robber and so
one Of the few birds upon which an nm
ceasing warfare should be made.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

When the book agent calls treat him
kindly. He may be some tenderfoot of
college student, and when you sub.
scribe for his "Royal Road to Wealth"
at $3.50 you may take pleasure in
knowing that you have helped desery-
ing young man to the amount of $3.50
in his educational work.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

There is always little difference of
So or more which it will pay any stock
raiser to ponder over, and that is the
So or more difference between the val
ne Of we'll bred and scrub steers on the
Chicago market. Here is one Of the
biggest agricultural leaks in the coun-
try 49,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

When farm butter is selling in win
ter at the local stores for - cents a
pound, there is the place and right
then the time to have farmers in
stitute and show the profits Of i'm
proved dairy methods. There are a
good many such places even yet all
over the country.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

The revenue obtained by the govern
ment by the taxation of sugar, some
$36,O00O00 per annum, is the nearest
to robbing md expressing the poor
man that this government has ever
gone. The poor need sugar more than
do the rich. If this tax was removed
it would be possible for the poor man
to get twenty-eight or thirty pounds
Of sugar for a dollar.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

When a man will refuse to water or
skim his milk, keep the little, gnarly
apples out Of the middle of the barrel,
put cord of wood for cord on his
wagon and talk to the assessor as he
would to the parson, it is small mat
ter whether an evangelist gets into his
neighborhood or not.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

The most marked thing in connection
with agricultural progress during the
year 1903 was the remarkable increase
in schools, reading courses, institutes,
the establishment Of departments in
the papers Of the country-all to pro-
mote a better knowledge of the science
Of agriculture. So far as tools and
machinery are concerned, little more
can possibly be done to facilitate farm
work and cheaper the cost Of produc-
ton, and now in very logical way
interest passes from inventive lines to
study and Investigation how to pro-
duce better crops and stock. This is
wonderfully dignifying agriculture as
profession. The scientist and the
worker on the farm are nearer together
than they have ever been before. Old
Jake has quit turning up his rustic nose
at 'book farmin'," and the scientist no
longer regards old Jake as rustic lout
and clodhopper.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

Cedar Falls Methodists have con
tributed $500 to the proposed Metho
aist hospital at Des Moines.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01
HOW LONG. Will THEY LAsrf

y
HOW LONG WILL THEY LAsT9
We are asked how long the black
prairie soils Of the Mississippi valley
will retain their fertility, how long
they will last for agricultural pur-
poses. Fields which have been In al
most continuous cultivation to our GER
tain knowledge for nearly fifty years
are still, even under the soil skimming
and soil robbing methods in common
practice during these years, good soils,
very easily renovated and restored to
a condition Of productive fertility BY
the use Of stock and legumes. The
greatest loss has been in humus.
which may soon be restored by the
process indicated. The loss Of fertility
by erosion has not been nearly so great
through the,level prairie sections as on
the more billy, timbered lands Of the
east. With good farming these soils
should never wear out, and this is why
they constitute q heritage for the chill
dren Of the men who own them Of al
most priceless value. There is no rea-
son save that Of neglect to properly
care for them why these prairie soils
should not produce seventy-five BUSH
els Of corn to the acre a thousand
years from now.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

The Santa Fe will establish a divi-
sion freight Office at Fort Madison.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

Sneak thives looted McCarthy'a
barber shop at ,Ames.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01
CHAPTER III.

R~1HORPE was awakened q long
time before daylight by the
ringing Of noisy bell. He
dressed. shiYering, and STUN
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

Every little while we notice that
some man well fixed on good farm
sells it and thinks he will look for a
better country and, after trying the
several gardens Of Eden as set forth
by real estate agents and corporations,
comes back to his old stamping ground
and buys the old farm back at a good
increase in price over that which he
received. It is. always best to rent the
old place for a<year or so and go and
prospect. You may want to come
back.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

We wish to say once more that when
you give field two years course in
clover you have done as much in the
way Of renovating and fertilizing the
soil as though you had put fifteen
wagon loads Of manure on each acre,
and more. The soil is in better shape
for future plant growth than If it had
been MANFRED as stated. There is no
one thing Of so much Importance to
farmers everywhere as to thoroughly
comprehend the value Of clover as a
soil fertilizer. It is the law and the
gospel Of the new agricultural dispen-
sation. Glover will prevent good soil
from becoming poor and will make
poor soil productive.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

The gasoline engine is having a mer-
ry war with the windmill. The wind
mill does not deny that it sometimes
has to quit work for want Of breath
just when 1t is needed the worst and
that sometimes when summer storm
let's loose 1t loses its head and legs, too,
but it gets back on the engine with
the charge that it, too, sometimes gets
tired and balky when there is no
sense in it, and then the owner gets
mad and says some bad words in the
COW barn about it, which he never
does when the windmill stops, and
then the charge is correctly made that
it costs some money to run the engine,
and in the effort to run it tribute is
paid to the worst monopoly on the
face Of the earth, while all the wind
mill asks Is little wind and a few
drops of oil. It is so far about nip and
tuck between these rivals, and which
will finally come of victor it is hard to
tell.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

AT Blencoe, more men than women
attend prayer meeting regularly.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

Minnesota has a well enforced pure
food law, and it proves that most Of
the prosecutions under this law are
confined to that part Of the state imme-
diately adjoining the state of Iowa,
which has no such law, the operation
Of the law Of competition tempting
Minnesota merchants to sell cheap
things if not good things.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

The item in these notes appearing a
few weeks ago relative to the great
benefit to be derived by securing seed
oats from the north country has
brought to us an unusual number Of
inquiries as to where such seed might
be obtained. As an answer to all such
we would say that such seed would be
secured by us preferably from a lati-
tude as far north as central Minnesota
or North Dakota and may be obtained
by opening correspondence with any
of the reliable farmers Of those Sec
tons. The name Of such man can be
easily obtained through the courtesy
of the local banker, editor or county
officials.