Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-12

ennui as the train da5hed9 HcfU ma
landscape with its setting
OF sod houses and sand hills.
Apart from his, fellows in section
near the center of the car sat man
about 35 years of age. BY his side sat
a child of was playing with a broken
doll.
Across the aisle country practi-
toner and his sister, beautiful girl
about 18, on their way east, were en-
gagged In conversation.
Upon this scene appeared Cupid. the
sly little trickster, choosing as a target
for his darts the adamant heart Of an
Ottumwa bachelor.
Upon Oscar Blank, returning to his
struggle in the east after vacation
spent at his old home devolved the
guardianship of a lively youngster.
The child having visited an uncle was
placed in Oscars care for safe de.
livery to the parents.
The car window was the frame for
wonderful changing panorama re-
vealed to the child. The man became
engrossed In book.
Now, while Oscar Blank exalted wo-
men, so far as the world knew, they
had figured but little in his career.
One time while working his way
through college he met girl he might
have loved, had she not scorned him
because Of his poverty and mental posi-
ton as waiter in the village hotel.
Now, that he had arisen to a higher
position in the world he found that he
was stranger to the world of society,
that its people talked a language he
did not understand, that his odd ways
were open to mimicry and ridicule.
And so he became more than ever q
recluse and the world knew but little
OF him.
Wearied with his strange surround
ings and the tedium of travel, the
child fell asleep. The rocking, sway
ing motion OF the train lulled him into
q deep slumber. And through the
evening the child slept on uncon-
scious of the important part he was to
play in a drama about to be enacted.
Early In the forenoon of the next
day the youngster exhibited signs Of
discomfort and would not be appeased
The man in clumsy, awkward fash
ion, endeavored to quiet the child, but
only added fuel to the fame Of his dis
comflture.
Perhaps can help you Give me the
child a moment" The girl across the
aisle was speaking and she held out
her arms for the little one. And the
child went to her and was Gained.
For she talked to him in the language
that man cannot speak nor under
stand. The baby capitulated to the
Establishments of the girl. And, with
his tired little head resting upon her
breast and her arms clasped about
him. the child fell asleep.
Business demanding his presence
there, the brother left the train at a
station In the western part of the
state. the girl continuing her Journey
homeward. And the three whom fate
had so strangely thrown together
came on to Ottumwa.
The train rolled into Ottumwa Union
station. Carrying the child and with
the girl clinging to him for protec-
ton from the hurrying crowds, Oscar
marched proudly down the station plat
form.
"Hooray! Hooray! Congratulations,
old man. Congratulations! You've
sprung a surprise on us at last! Intro
duce me to Mrs Blank"
1t was one Of his friends who
CHANGED to be at the depot and I'm
mediately took 1t for granted that Os-
car had been married for some time
but had kept it quiet as a Joke on
the many who had ridiculed him for
his apparent diffidence. But this
wasn't the case and the luckless Oscar
stammered unintelligibly. And then
the gods were merciful and sent a
noisy baggage truck Gathering over
the cobblestones. This respite af.
forded opportunity for the man to re.