Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-11-28

How did you come to marry Jacob
Romer?" the girl went On with the
lmplacibility of youth.
CT could not help it could not
do otherwise Quavernd he mother.
You see. Jacob said must. My faith
or and mother said | must. So | did.
And ] think he cared-at frsS-oh.
yes, little. We we're poor then, and
except for his finding fault with the
housekeeping and my wrong additions
with the money-books, I was happy
enough But then he was clever far
too clever for me. He was always in
venting things, So that It ended in his
uncle. old Mr.. Corn. not being able
to- do without him. and he had always
to be at the works, and We that is,
you and l, stayed on at Thorsby, to
be near grandfather and grandmother.
Jacob used sometimes to come at
week ends for while Afterwards
he was too busy. or something and
he could not be bothered with the
journey Then my father and mother
died within three weeks Of each 9th
err. After that 1t was much lonlier for
me, and but for you should have
wearied. Yes. know what they said
what Uncle Tom said-horried things
that took opium that was out
Of my mind, and If it had not been for
you, Vida. they would have put your
POOR mother away. But now we are
going home at last ~ and Jacob will
be good to US, as he was In the first
DAYS when we were poor You see he
has sent for US Of his own accord.
They tell me. Uncle Tom says-that
it is such a magnificent place. with
gardeners and hot-houses, and grapes
in punches Though l don't believe
your father will allow us to cut them)
and more than one man-servant. Oh.
don't know how shall venture to
speak to them"
II do!' cried Vida, bristling up,
lioness-like, "I'll speak to them, If they
SO much as dare to look as if they
would smile at my mother"
And how kind OF. dear Jacob to
give US this splendid cruise in his own
ship, all round by the north Of Scot
land--!n
rubbish" said Vida, shortly.
Now, sit up, mother, and | will ar
range your pillows for you. You are
slipping down much too low There,
that's better! Father wanted us out
of the way while longer, that's all.
suppose you think he ordered this
nice smooth weather, too. specially,
so that we would be nice and comfort
able"
ut would have been just like him
II he had" said Mrs. Rome, smiling
family, but with d. certain CLINT OF
pleasure in her dim eyes. Il mean
like what he used to be long ago! He
was auick-tempered and masterful -
Jacob. Oh, always! And do you know
Vida sometimes l think you are like
him"
God forbid!' said the girl quicx.S,
thrusting out her hands as il pushing
something horrid away.
The mother raised her hands in
panied depreciation.
ooh, Vida, you must not = remem
Der the Fifth Commandment - the
first with promise"
"Oh, yes, mother, that is all very
WE'LL" said Vida. "but it says, too =
like as a father pitieth his children
doesn't it? And Jacob Romer hasn'
pitied me bit Why, then, should
honour him.
The mother found no other repl.
than the simple restatement of thu
commandment and of the fact. equal.
incontestable. that he was Vida!
father. The girl shrugged her should
ers little behind her mothers back
and made a grimace that said clearl.
that Jacob Romer when he came t
reckon with his daughter, would fin'
quite other material on his hand thai
in his wife's case.
On board the Good Intent there ar
peared to be but little cargo. 1t was
in fact, pleasure cruise for the ben
eft of the owners wife and daugt
ter. The master had saluted them Wit
curt, civility when they had come o.
board with James Kahn. The two 0
three sailors went about their dutie
as usual. but seemed to give the pas
sengers as wide berth as possible
SO the supercargo was invaluable t
them. James Kahn was not abov
serving their meals, and as interir
ships cook was evidently an artist !
his way He had found some comfor
able old red plush furniture and pr
them into the little cabin. In fact,