Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-16

grizzled pilot VINO lad brought the
ship safely through the dangers of
Gedney's Channel, his shabby pea
jacket old SLOUGH hat, top boots and
unkempt beard standing out in sharp
contrast with the i:nmaculte white
duck trousers, the white and gold
caps and smart full dress uniforms
of the ships officers. The rails ON
tn upper decks were seen to be lined
with passengers, all dressed in their
shore clothes, some waving handker-
chiefs at friends they already recog-
nized, all impatiently awaiting the
shipping Of the gangplank.
Stott had come ca ly. They had
received word at Massapequa the day
before that the steamer had been
sighted off Fire ISLAND and that she
would be at her pier the next morning
ing at 10 O'Clock. Stott arrived at
$50 and SO found no difficulty in Sc
curing front position among the
small army of people, who, like him
self, had come down to meet friends.
AS the huge vessel swung round
and drew closer, Stott easily picked
out Shirley She was scanning eagerly
lulOtSu D1uOCuldI LuS IOWS VI up
turned faces on the dock, and he
noted that a locn Of disappointment
crossed her lace at not finding the
object of her search. She turned and
said something to lady in black and
to a man who stood at her side. Who
they might be Stott had no idea.
Fellow passengers, no doubt. One be-
comes SO intimate on shipboard; it
seems friendship at must surely
last lifetime, whereas-the custom
officers have not finished rummaging
through your trunks when these
easily-made stea: -er friends are al
ready forgotten. Presently Shirley
took another look and Aer glass soon
lighted on him. Instantly she recog-
nized her father's old friend She
waved her han, lerchief and Stott
raised his hat. Inc! she turned
quickly and spoke again to her
friends, whereupo- the all moved in
the direction of the gang. lank, which
was alread-- being lowered.
Shirley was one of the first to come
ashore. Stott was waiting for her ct
the foot of the gangplank and she
threw her arms round his neck and
kissed him. He had known her ever
since she was a little tot in arms, and
bystanders who noticed them meet
had no doubt that they were father
and daughter. Shirley was deeply
moved; g great lump in her throat
seemed to choke her utterance. Sc
far she had been able to bear up, but
now that home was so near her heart
failed her. She had hoped to find hel
father on the dock. Why had he not
come? Were things so bad then? She
questioned Judge Stott anxiously
fearfully.
He treasured her. Both her mother
and father were well. 1t was too Ions
trip for them to make, SO he had
volunteered.
"Too long trip" echoed Shirley
puzzled. "This is not far from oul
house. Madison Avenue is no dis
lance That could not have KEEP
father away
you don't i've on MADISON avenue
any longer. The house and It's con
tents have been sold," replied Stot
gravely, and in a few words he out
lined the situation as it was.
Shirley listened quietly to the enc
and only the incheasing pallor of he,
face and an occasional nervous twitch
ing at the corner Of ner mouth be
trayed the shock that this recital o
! her fathers misfortunes was to her
All, this she had little dreamed of
Yet why not? 1t was logic. Whel
wrecked in reputation, one might az
we'll be wrecked in fortune, too. Wha
would their future be how could tina
proud. sensitive man her father bea
this humiliation, this disgrace? To b.
condemned to life of obscurity
social ostracism, and genteel poverty
Oh, the thought was uncomfortable! Sh
herself could earn money, OF course
4 If her literary work did not bring il
enough. she could teach and wha
she earned would help out. Certain
| ly her parents should never want TO
4 any thing so long IS she could suppl
1T She thought bitterly how fulfil,