Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-25

fishing rod over shoulder, and bait in
the form of ang!eworms in an old tin
SAL. -Just Jou anu dad fix up your
appetites for fine supper of fish,"
he added. waving his fishing rod in
farewell.
BE mighty careful, son, not to fall
into the river" called out his mother
IN warning. THE river is very high
now since the heavy spring rains and
you might find it too deep for wad-
ing and so cold that it might produce
cramps. So be very cautious"
cali right, momsey," called back
Herbert merrily "I'll hang my clothes
on hickory limb and not go near the
water"
En- route to the river Herbert was
obliged to cross little railroad ditch.
1t had been what the farmers called
a draw" but when the railroad was
built this draw" had been dug much
deeper to form drain ditch. During
the rainy season this ditch became
quite pretentious stream, almost
filling to its banks with water from
the surrounding hills.
When Herbert arrived at the ditch
he was astonished to find it was full
er of water than he had ever seen it.
and he could not cross it by leaping
from stone to stone, as had always
been his habit. He was obliged to go
half mile out of his way to the rail-
road crossing, where he might walk
across on the ties.
But hardly had Herbert stepped
upon the ties when he noticed that a
piece of timber, evidently from the
trestlework, was floating in the
swollen stream. And, furthermore,
he noticed that the water was surg
ing under the crossing like very tor
rent, pouring down from all the hills
round about and making of the draw a
veritable river. AS it dashed, seethed
and roared about the base of the
slight trestlework Herbert felt. or i'm
agined he could feel, the ties and
framework Of steel tremble. He
paused and looked below, scanning
closely the framework beneath him.
Only one sign of weakness was appar
ent, the loose beam Or piece of timber
which was floating away. But, surely
he thought, if one piece of the trestle
work had become loosened, other parts
connected with it must be insecure
81 don't like the idea of the afternoon
train coming along over this crossing
Butt reckon the section men will
be along before noon and examine this
place. They know enough of these
high water tricks to keep on the alert
during rainy times. I guess it's not
my lookout.
And deciding thus, Herbert went on
his way, whistling happy tune to the
time Of his feet. He reached the fish
ing place to find the river so high that
he knew no fish would bite that day.
"Now, isn't that just my luck!" he
exclaimed in voice of disappoint-
ment. "Whep 1 had hoped to take
home dozen fine fish for supper, too.
and momsey and dad expecting the
fine treat. Poor old dad he's so blue
over not being able to send me away
to college next year. When Billy and
Tom Brown went away to school last
year dad said to me: Never mind.
son, next year shall come your turn
(; You shall go to the best school in the
state. So study hard this year and
when next year rolls round you'll be
ready to enter a finer school than our
little ones of the district But last
year our crops failed So the outlook
for any school except our little dis
trict school is now. out of the question.
It's harder on dad and momsey than it
is on me. They want to give me ev-
cry advantage, and it hurts them aw-
fully to be too poor to do so. Well.
l can get good education right in
our own little country school, But
really would-like-to go---away.
The other boys 60 away every year
to school, and I'd like it, too. But l
don't ever mean to fret about it to dad
and momsey. They aren't to blame.
goodness knows. They'd go without
bread and meat to give me chance.
So I'll plug along and do the best
can another year. and maybe another
and another year on top Of that. If
only we could depend on our crops
and cattle! But-well, what's the
matter with me. anyway I came out
to fish, not to hold debating society
with Herbert Jones. esquire
Then Herbert sat down On the bank
and fixed bit of bait on the hook.
It's no use throwing in the line" he
said to himself. for no fish could be
induced to bite with the water in such
turmoil. But there might be one play
ing along close to the bank, and seeing
a nice fat worm would take It as he
passed by"
But all In vain did Herbert throw
in his line. The swiftness of the
water carried the bait as far down
stream as the length of the line would
allow. and several times the hook be-
came entangled in some floating drift
wood.
oh, there's no USE" declared Her
bert, drawing in the line and rolling
it up. I might sit here for several
days-till the water falls-and not get
so much as a nibble. So I'll just go
home, can always find work there,
if it's nothing more than rolling car
pet rags for momsey Poor dear Nom.
sey! How she and dad do work for me.
It'c their ono aim In 1if< r. J1 CO,