Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-05

lay directly north of the main section
of road. Why're you going that
road?" he made bold to ask. leaning
over and speaking to the woman. They
Then the man explained: Were go
ing to meet some Of our people. They'll
be at the river yonder. Then we'll all
go to the fair together"
And then it flashed through Teddy's
mind that he was in the hands OF
gypses. Terror chilled him, and he
feared to ask to be allowed to get out
of the wagon, He had heard such ter
rible tales of the gypsles. of their car
rying off children, and these children
never again being heard of by their
family and friends. Teddy sat with
compressed lips and clenched hands.
Was he being carried away from his
home-his dear sick mother, his good.
lndulgent father-forever? Oh, what a
fool he had been to ask for a ride In
that wagon! Oh. what warse fool he
had been to leave his dear home at
ALL
Teddy's eyes filed: he choked on a
huge lump in his throat ooh, OH" he
said mentally. If I could just get out
of this wagon and be allowed to go
back home I'd never, never leave it
again-not even for the fair. Oh, l
was bad, bad boy. to run away! And
how anxious papa and mamma will be.
And. OH what If you'll never, never
see me again! Oh, I'll die, I'll die If
have to be carried away by the
gypsiasi''
Then, in his agony Of fear. Teddy
groaned and sobbed aloud, attracting
the attention of the children who had
been playing among themselves. and
taking little notice Of the strange
child.
On OF the little girls plucked at the
sleeve of her mother, pointing her at
tention to Teddy. who was now sob
bling aloud. The woman in turn call
ed to the man. who spoke a little Eng
fish. He turned and looked at Teddy,
asking him what was the matter.
ploringly, saying earnestly, supplicat-
ingy: oh, please. sir. don't wish to
go any further with you. want to
go home again. Oh, please. sir, my
mother is so sick. and I'm the only
child papa and mamma have. May
go home again. please. sir? TIL give
you what money I have. and I'll give
towards one Of the boys of his own
size. And I'll ask my papa to send
you some money, too, if you'll tell us
where YOU'RE camping"
A grin crossed the face of the man.
He drew the horses reins, and ex-
planned to his companion in his own
tongue what was the trouble with
Teddy. call right" he said, Take off
your shoes and give 'em to that boy.
And let me see what coin you're got.
Hi-hi! Only a few pennies. Well,
they'll pay for the ride you've had
countin' in the shoes. And you'd better
leave your hat. too. It'll fit that other
boy there
Teddy jerked off shoes, stockings
COO, and hat. giving them gladly to
the boys beside him. He had already
rendered up his banks savings to the
driver. Then being allowed to climb
from the wagon, he said, as he stood
on free ground again: Aren't you
folks gypsies, please, sir?"
Sure, kid" replied the man, grin
ming broadly, and understanding his
fear. But we've got all the childer
we can take care Of. We didn't want
to carry you Off But since you're
afraid of us, get along home, and stay
there. You're too young to be running
about the word-where gypsies can
get YOU And so saying, the ugly, dark
skinned man clucked to his horse and
away went the heavy old covered
wagon with it's dirty human load
Gee, but I'm glad to be out Of that
wagon" declared Teddy. And now
III &c home as fast as l can, and tell
papa all about what I've done. and
how my hat. shoes and stockins come
to be missing Gee. I'll be the gIadest
boy in the world to get home! But
why there's papa, coming on OLD Bus
ter Browns back. Gee. he's hunting
me I'm sure! Well, even if he
thrashes me. I won't mind. 1t will
be Sc good to know I'm with him
again. Oh. I never was so happy in
nv life! And the fair---I wouldn't go
tn MI 1,H,,
body would pay me to do. so. Hello.
papa! Here lam. And the gypsies al
most had me too. But I'll tell you all
about it after I get UP behind you on
old Buster Brown