Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-10
slDELlGHTs.

The ways of the persevering lover
are not always strewn with roses, nor
Is his path ever the easy and inviting
one, what lovelorn youth may say
to the contrary notwithstanding. That
the above Is true may be easily
learned by anyone IL he will but sit
up and take notice without playing a
hand In the game of hearts and note
the effect Of late and repeated calling
OF gallants upon their sweethearts,
of balls, theatres, parties, etc. that go
to make the round Of duty that falls
to the lot Of the average Romeo who
would do honor to Juliet.
While many, perhaps, escape much
of the real martyrdom to which so
large number of lovers fall heir to,
the subject of this sketch Is amply
justified in being the boss of his fire
side when the day on which they
plight their vows will have become a
thing of the past.
He Is engaged in a large manufac-
turing plant in the Lowell of the
west and Is skilled workman. He
holds responsible position and may
be found at4any time during working
hours at his post where he faithfully
and zealously strives to advance in
position and salary to such an emf
nence that he may at some not far
distant day, furnish the house for two.
She does not live in the same city as
her Romeo, but in nearby town,
and he frequently takes a trip to the
rural districe to see the object Of his
affections, to partake of Sunday din
ner and supper and compliment her
on the excellence of her culinary
achievements.
On recent trip to the home Of his
bride elect, this young man thought
he would use his wheel, and, starting
early on a, Sunday morning not long
ago. he arrived in safety at hergho
where, as usual, an appetizing and In
viting dinner was awaiting his COM
ing. as was also the young lady. The
day passed very pleasantly and as
night approached the anticipation Of
the next day, with its continual grind
Of work and the thought of the dis
lance he must cover before reaching
his home. made him hasten his
leavetaking, If such thing is posi-
BILE to the ardent lovers
1t was about 10 o'clock when the
adieus were made and the young man
getting astride Of his wheel, started
on his homeward trip, hitting the
high places in the road with a vim
and vigor that would enable him to
reach his sleeping quarters in time to
change his attire and snatch forty
winks before beginning his daily
work on the following day.
All went we'll for few miles, as the
night, was one of those beautiful
nights of last month. when the moon
was very kind and considerate to
Mother Earth. and shed her rays in
silyery splendor along the pathway of
the lonely cyclist, whose thoughts
were mixture Of the late farewell
taken and the anticipation Of what
the morrow would bring forth after
a day so crowded with happy events.
When he had reached a point some
nine miles from his home an unfortu-
ate action as delay would but make
broke. The scene Immediately chang
ed the beauty of the ,tlvery moon,
even the blissfuls recollections of the
day just passed were lost sight of by
the lonely traveller He was no longer
the ardent lover, but Just plain man,
with a proposition staring him In the
face and one that called for immedi.
ate ASTON. as delay would but make
matters worse. Nine miles from
home, alone on a country road with
a broken bicycle to propel, was the
situation that faced the wanderer. The
clock was on the stroke OF three
as he tucked the bed covering about
him and as the shrill blast from
nearby factory whistle reused him
from his slumbers. he resolved to keep
1t fro mthe boys at work - / wonder
If he did?
P. c. 10.