Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-01

ollhS. ELdCu lllIlS llllSS wore d CIOWJl
of flowers on her hair, for the host
ess, Pauline had wished that each girl
might be queen of the May, and
thus avoid any show of preference.
So they came, twelve little gallants
leading twelve little queens of the May
to the May pole. And with them came
Mrs. Baker and two very pretty young
ladies who were to assist Mrs. Baker
in entertaining the many young
guests.
At Petro watched the procession of
beauty and happiness crossing the
lawn his heart beat very fast, and ne
let drop the hoe he had been working
with and said to himself: ooh,
wish Meta could see all that! I'll
Just run and fetch her, for she can
see everything through that big hole
in the hedge. How she will enjoy it,"
And Petro hurried into his own dwell
ing, soon reappearing in the alley
with his little sister, Meta. The child
had been i'll, and her little face was
pinched and wan. But there was a
sparkle of pleasure in her big dark
eyes as she looked in the direction Ct
Petro's whispered explanation. "You
see, Meta, It's party of rich children.
Isn't 1t gay? And just hear the, mu-
sic! 1t is coming from behind that
clump of rose bushes Look!
There're three men sitting there play
ing on-on-why, they are grand.
grand? Watch them dance! Oh,
isn't that playing fiddles! It's much
nicer music than our papa's fiddle
makes. Isn't It grand, Nelta?'
ooh, 50 grand, Petro,' whispered
Meta 81 wish we might go there and
play too. Don't you, Petrol"
Then the merriment became so loud
that Petro and Meta stopped talking
and gave all their attention to the
the hedge.
little ones broke up into groups,
laughing and chatting in their gayest
spirits. Some sat at the tables and
were served with refreshments
brought from the mansion by liveried
servants. Others played at games,
not wishing refreshments SO soon aft
er the dance. All were happy and OBJ
livious of the two little ones who
watched them from the alley, creep
ing closer and closer to the hedge that
they might see the better.
AS the fun grew Mrs. Baker re-
turned to the house, calling to the
two young ladies to join her, saying:
1--WE will let them be to themselves
for little while. Our presence may
serve as damper on their full en-
joyment, so we'll withdraw for half
an hour
Left without the presence of the
older persons, the young guests enter
ed into more lively games, singing
and laughing till the noise Of their
gayety resounded throughout that part
of the town. Two rough men stop
ped to watch them at play, and one
entered the yard to get better look
at the May pole. He was smoking
the stump of an old cigar, and as ne
drew near to the assembled party he
removed the glowing bit from his
lips. Pardon, little folks" he said,
'but I'd like to git peep at that pole.
I'd like to see how it's put up, If you
don't mind
Robert stepped forward saying:
l"You intrude, my good man. and
hope you will withdraw. These are
private grounds, and this is private
party"
The man gave loud, coarse laugh
shook the ashes and sparks from his
cigar and walked out Of the grounds
He Joined his companion, and to
gether they were soon round the cor
ner of the street and lost to sight
But an instant later a cry went VI
from Pauline. 'I'm on fire! I'm on
fret" And the guests turned to he
hold flame rushing up the thir
cloth of her frock. catching in the sill
sash about her waist. The sparks
from the intruder's cigar had caugh
in the sheer lace on her frock ant
the wind had famed them into sud
den flame.
All was CONSERVATION at once. The
children screamed and fed from Paul
inc as though she were some danger
Gus beast Even Robert stood rivet
ed to the ground, crying out hoarsely
) Mamma! FIRE. Pauline! Help"
But on the other side Of the hedgt
there was one who knew what to d.
in such emergency. Petro, who ha'
, seen the blaze the very moment
started, grasped the heavy old woolel
shawl that was about little Meta am
Lplunged through the hedge where tn
, jleaves were thinnest, and bounde'
, across the fifty foot of lawn that la
between the May pole and the hedge
reaching Pauline at the very momen
that she began crying 81 am on fire!
And instantly he threw Pauline on tn
ground, covering her closely with tn
, heavy shawl, and smothering tn
5 flame before it had burnt Pauline
! flesh A sight scorching of one wrls
, caused Pauline, some pain and tea1
J, but there was no deep burn.
! Just as Petro had succeeded In pu
! ting out the fire Mrs. Baker and tn
Y two assisting young ladies came ruI
4 ming to the scene, all pale from fea
i And when it was discovered VINO ma
: been the hero at the time when on
d was most needed, Mrs. Baker TOO
t hold of Petro's hand and asked MI
;. how he had come to appear as frol
e the clouds.
: you see, missus,' said Petr'
J. bushes covering his brown face,
|. live over on the other side of the hls
s hedge, and I was looking through