Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-28
the truth of their assertions, had proof
been necessary.
ttEJoro'e. Diplyor cbonto6

the truth Of their assertions, had proof
been necessary.
Here's Pinkey Perkins!" shouted
one. "He knows who did it, don't you,
Pinkey?"
What makes you think so?" replied
Pinkey, visibly fattered. eff l did
know I wouldn't tell" There was a
knowing look on his face, however,
which admitted beyond question that
he was the person responsible for the
disappearance of the tree.
"Whered you take it, Pinkey," de-
manded Joe Cooper.
"Who said took it anywhere?" re-
torted Pinkey.
81 believe l saw it in Red Feathers
yard as 1 came by spoke up one in
whom Pinkey had confided. maybe
she took 1t home for safe keepin'."
Just then some one noticed Red
Feather coming in the gate and the
crowd dispersed to see what she would
do. Her way led directly past the spot
where the day before they had planted
the Inflated tree with so much cere-
mony To the disgust of all, she did
not even look toward the place. With
her eyes stright to the front she pur-
sued her unerring way to the school
house and disappeared within.
A few minutes later the bell pealed
forth its summons, the boys put away
their marbles and balls and bats and
the girls folded up their skipping ropes
and all filed In and went obediently
to their seats.
AS he sat down, Pinkey scrutinized
Red Feathers face to see II he could
foretell what the future had in store
for him, but there was no telltale signs
( there and he was unable to reach any
definite conclusions.
When the opening exercises were
over, Red Feather arose from her desk
and stood at the edge of her platform.
For a full minute she stood silently
looking over the room. Pinkey began
to feel uncomfortable, and try as he
would to sit still and appear uncon-
cerned, he could not. He fdgeted in
spite of himself He would have given
good deal to steal a glance at Bunny,
to see how he was taking 1t, but he
dared not He felt his face growing
redder and redder in spite of himself
and he fastened his gaze on the collar
of the boy in front of him.
Presently, Red Feather broke the
heavy silence Children" said she,
with no trace of anger in her voice,
"some of you'-and she looked square
ly at Pinkey-"have done me kind
ness which l very much appreciate and
wish to thank the ones who are re-
sponsible. The tree which We planted
Yesterday was not the kind the school
board desires planted in the school
house yard. l was disappointed in not
getting the tree l ordered SO was
forced to get the one did for the exer-
cises. l had arranged to have 1t taken
up today and planted in my yard, re-
placing it by the one had originally
ordered.
az want to thank those of you who
SO kindly saved me the trouble OF hav'
ing the tree transferred, and who went
to all the trouble Of doing 1t for me.
am fully aware Of the amount of labor
/ it involved and of the kind thoughts
which prompted such generous act
i BY the time Red Feather had finish.
4 ed, Pinkey's face had turned several
4 shades redder than it was at first and
/ had become brilliant crimson. His
i ewes shifted helplessly from one cor
ner Of his desk to the other and he
seemed first hot and then cold. Sup
pressed filters here and there told him
that his companions were having a
good laugh at his and 5unny's expense
He was enraged with himself, and at
J, himself alone, for there was certainly
no one else to blame that he had
failed in turning the tables on Red
Feather and had turned them on him
self instead Also, he knew that unless
they took firm stand, he and Bunny
were in for it. Their companions
would not fail to improve such an ex
cellent opportunity to tease them.
Pinkey managed to brace up little
and to shake off his depression to
, certain extent, until by recess time ne
had almost resumed his usual assur
ance.
"where are you goin' to plant YOU
tree now, Pinkey," asked Joe Cooper
as they we're leaving the room to en-
ioly their morning playtime.
'I'm goin' to leave it right where
is. If I'd take it to the north pole, Rec
Feather'd say she was just goin' tx
; send it UP there Now the next felle'
that says tree to me will wish n
hadn't" and Pinkeys manner indlcat
ed that the less saio about Arbor Da!
, the better for all concerned.--Charle'
5 McIlyaine IN St. Nicholas.
THINGS INSIDE.