Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-20

Ihere were plenty of warm wraps and
comfortable furnishings. Homer was
always a lavish provider. Whatever
mad made him guess how much she
wanted some money of her own-not
only the things money bought? She
handled the crisp green bill lovingly.
What wonderful possibilities 1T held!
Promptly at the appointed time the
luxurious automobile drew up at the
door, The storm Of the night before
had given place to an ideal day. The
sun shone, the snow sparkled, the
keen wind had died away, and the
saucy "put-put-put!" of the engine
was made more snappy and invigorat.
ing by the frosty air.
Il did as you suggested, Homer and
made list, and I'd like to consult you
before we begin our shopping" Mrs
Osborne said, when they were under
way.
Very we'll shall be happy to give
you the benefit Of my valuable advice"
was the reply given with mock dig
nifty.
1T is valuable to me, dear SO don't
make fun Of 1T. Homer, I've been
wishing could start a new kind Of
valentines; and now that. Il have the
chance, why shouldn't do 1t ~
"You should, by all means. What is
your idea I"
Well. first there is Kathleen the
cook. Her little boy is lame and can't
get about. He's very fond of reading
and gets no books except wornout
ones that our children have discarded
/ want to buy him new one, full of
pictures and short stories that he can
read for himself. Perhaps a natural
history that will be teaching him
something useful as well as entertain
Ing him. For Kathleen herself, neat
collar and tie. She gets good wages,
to be sure, but she has SO many ways
to use her money, there is little left
for herself.
Then Marcia's seamstress., want
big blossoming primrose for her, If
they are not expensive. She never gets
anything but real necessities, and
want her to have one bit of luxuray
that belongs to her very self. She
loves flowers best of anything and a
primrose will be full Of bloom until
summer.
Next comes the little woman across
the street from us. She's had pneu-
monia and Is weak and miserable and
has a very delicate appetite. Her
daughter-her only nurse--is a school
teacher and has little time and knows
nothing about cooking I've been ov-
er several times and seen her scorched
toast and greasy broth, but I dare not
say anything, because its's her own
1,rhn he TIL
| loves her mother and tries to do her
best. I'd like to send her two whole
pounds of big white grapes and pot
lof good beef extract that only needs
hot water with it to make nourishing
beef tea. They'll never know who sent
them, SO they can't be offended. I'll
just put St. Valentines name on the
card.
'Then there's the driver Of the laun-
dry wagon-his hands look so cold
when he brings in the linen! He must
have a pair of thick, warm gloves. and
the grocer's boy a good jersey cap.
And then the children at home
bless them! Alice is pining for new
gloves to wear to the valentine party,
and won't even let her mother know
she wants them, because she spoiled
her last ones SO soon. She is a very
conscientious child, Homer and says
she doesn't deserve new gloves be-
cause she has been SO careless,s so she'll
wear the old ones to punish herself
But such things mean so much to
young girls, and just thought that il
we only got what we deserve, there
wouldn't be many good times for most
of us. So do want to give the child
a pretty pair for surprise.
wilbur must have game that the
Mitchell boys have been coaxing him
to go to their house to play. He loves
the game, but he has never gone, be-
cause you and Marcia don't approve
of the Mitchell boys, SO think he
ought to have the pleasure at home.
"F'lossy is to have a doll-not too
large, and dressed like a cunning ba-
by throughout. She is very proud of
the beautiful Princess she got Christ
mas, but it hasn't taken the place of
the baby doll she lost last year, and
know her little heart still yearns for
| it.
For Marcia I want big bunch Of
the violets she loves SO much, but is
too unselfsh ever to buy for herself;
and you, Homer, shall have your moth
er's loving thanks for all your good
ness to her"
"And that's the best and dearest val
entihe Of all the beautiful list" said
Homer Osborne, Slipping his arm about
the slender figure. II don't see where
advice Is needed / couldn't suggest
an improvement if tried for a week
How in the world did you find out all
these things, you sly little mother?"
IT don't know Homer. I haven't
meant to pry into anything, but they
just happened to come to me one way
and another. Do you think l have
planned too much?"
mot one item. If your money does
not hold out, mine will"
That was a never-to-be-forgotten aft
ernoon Such revelings in things al
most forgotten! Such visions of beau
ty in flower shops! Such prodigal ex-
penditure that Homer had to be. re-
peatedly demonstrated with! Al bag of