Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-10


The true test is to obey the cap
tain when obedience hurts" the faith
err added, taking the boys hand in his
You will have many opportunities to
apply the test. If you obey only when
it pleases you will soon cease to hear
his voice, and become useless, unre
liable mana man without a con.
science
Mr.. Dodge was florist. and the
large tract of land that he occupied
with green houses, nurseries, groves
and barns, placed their nearest neigh.
Dor quite a distance away.
A few months after the CONVERSE
ton recorded had taken place, Clar-
ence was again called into the Office
for a mornings talk.
I'm going to the city, Clarence, .
said MI Dodge, as the boy entered.
Il shall be gone three days, and l shall
leave the care of the home in Your
hands. Can you undertake the re-
sponsibility?'
The boy laughed.
1T is a greater responsibility than
you suppose" continued Mr.. Dodge.
You are to see that your mother S
made comfortable and happy; 10
cheerfully and willingly all the little
things she will ask of you: keep the
WoodboX filled, and be kind to her and
thoughtful Of her at all times. You
will take my place at night by seeing
that the doors and windows are Sc.
curely fastened, and the lights out.
You will keep your mother company,
and see that there is nothing to give
her fear. Can you do all this?"
Il can said Clarence. proudly;
I'll attend to all these things, and
mother shall be wei protected"
MI Dodge was pleased with this
reply. He turned to his desk to ar
range some business matters, and
Clarence walked to the windows to
watch the snowstorm.
"If this keeps on he said, joyfully.
we shall have fine sleighing for the
party, Friday"
oh. yes said Mr. Dodge, ''the
sleigh-ride party. Who are going to
this party?''
"All the boys and girls in the vii,
lage. Mr.. finder has given lis hii
large truck and team. We have plan
ned to ride around until ten O'Clock.
and then go to Mrs. Mason's. Mrs.
Mason has invited us for candy-pull
and some say she is going to cook a
Mr.. Dodge smiled.
mo doubt she will" he added. "At
any rate, you can be sure of good
sleighing. Friday you say?"
yes friday"
Mr. Dodge was thoughtful for mo-
nent
ooh, well" he said. suddenly. Il
shall be back Friday morning, so that
will be all right
Clarence was proud of the RESPONSE
biity placed with him. His earnest,
serious attention was the sourse of
much happiness and satisfaction to
Mrs. Dodge.
The snow continued for two days.
Friday the sky cleared.
"A great day for the sleigh-rido
oarty!' exclaimed Clarence. when he
ooked out Of his bedroom window, At
breakfast. he talked of nothing else |
During the day, much to the distrac-
ion of his mother, h. blew lusty
blasts on a large horn purchased for
he occasion.
The two regular morning trains
rom Buffalo had come and gone: but |
neither mother nor son gave serious
bought to the fathers absence
The boy came to dinner excited and |
ull of party news. He had seen some /
# the boys and girls, and had learned
hat hot supper at Mrs. Mason's
vas now " certain feature of the
reat event. =
Mr.. Dodge did not return on the
wo o'clock train. Mrs Dodge began
o fear that he would not get back
hat day: and she dreaded the posi-
ility of being alone during the even
ng. The house was so far from any
Their, that even if there was cause
Or alarm, it would be useless to call
Or help. It was this feeling Of being
hut away from everybody that filled
er with fear. She thought of this,
nd she called on Mrs. Jamison to
SIX her to bring the, baby and stay
il night. But the baby had not been
'ell for several days, and Mrs. .Iami-
on felt she ought not to take the
isk
Mrs. Dodge prepared an early sup
u 81 ahnt Siai illSlL DS UE6SS- |
d and ready when the sleigh called.
Il wonder whether father will get
ere tonight?' said Clarence at the
able
There is one more train; the six
clock special. Possibly he will come
n that.
After supper, Clarence dressed
uickly. When all was done, he blew
blast on the horn that brought his
,other running to the room.
rs that noise to announce that you
re ready?''
1T is, mother. I am ready and
'aiting.
quite early. cren't you? It is bare
, six o'clock"
Just at this moment. they heard the
lid screech of the six O'Clock spe.
Ial. as it whirled around the bend
nd through the valley
Il hope father is on that train, said
larence.
They sat oy the fire talking, until
he clock on the mantel struck the
alf hour.
Il don't believe that your father
i'll get home tonight" said Mrs.
odge, as she rose to leave the room.
1 - L. L.