Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-10-21

be hidden. There are pleasant places
in America where, II one deposit q
half dollar and a little brown jug be-
hind certain stone, or on the shady
side of a blackberry bush, jug and coin
will together disappear between sun.
set and sunrise; but 10! the jug,
filled and plugged with corncob,
will return alone mysteriously, in con-
travention of the statutes in such
cases made and provided. Too rare
for glass, this fluid, which bubbles out
of the southern hills with as little
guilt in its soul as the brooks beside
which it comes into being! But, lest
he be- accused of aiding and abetting
crime against the majesty Of the law,
this chronicler hastens to say that
on hot day in the harvest field, hon.
est water, hidden away in a little
brown jug in the fence corner, ac-
quires a quality and imparts a de-
light that no mug of crystal or Of gold
can yield.
AS Mr. Ardmore pondered duty and
the jug tall man In shabby corduroy
halted near by and inspected him
carefully. Mr.. Ardmore, hard upon his
pipe, had not noticed him, somewhat,
it seemed, to the strangers vexation.
He patrolled the sidewalk before the
inn, hoping to attract Ardmore's at
tention, but finding that the young
mans absorption continued, he pres
emily dropped into neighboring chair
under the maple tree.
Good morning." said Ardmore
pleasantly
The man nodded, but did not speak.
He was examining Ardmore with a
pair of small shrewd, gray eyes. In his
hands he held crumpled bit of brown
paper that looked like a telegram.
We'll, reckon you jest got to town
this mornin', young fella."
Eyes, certainly" Ardmore replied
promptly. He had never been address
ed in quite this fashion before, but it
was all in keeping with his new des-
tiny and he was Immediately interest
ed in the stranger, who was we'll on
in middle age, with rough grizzled
beard and soft hat, that now strug-
gled for compromise tint between
yellow and green.
Ever been hyeh befo'?"
Never; but I'm crazy about the
place and I'll be seen here good deal
hereafter
Ardmore produced his cigar-case
and extended it to the stranger. The
man, awed by the splendor of the case,
accepted cigar little gingerly.
Drummer, I reckon
Commercial traveller, we prefer to
be designated" replied Ardmore
with dignity.
81 guess drummer's good enough
down hyeh. What yu carry?"
Jugs. I'm in the jug business. New
er had any business but jugs"
The man paused in lighting his
cigar, stared at Ardmore over the
flaming match, drew the fire into the
cigar several times. then settled back
with his hands in his pockets.
''Full'r empty?"
The jugs? Oh, empty jugs; but it's
no affair Of mine what becomes of the
jugs afterwards"
''Y'u likely got samples with y'u?"
We'll, not many. You see my line
is so we'll known don't have to carry
samples any more The trade knows
our goods"
Stop at Kildare on the way up?"
and the stranger looked about guard
edly.
Certainly, my friend, always
make Kildare" replied Ardmore, us.
ing phrase he had acquired at
breakfast.
Train runs through the pretty late
at night?"
"Beastly. But hardly ever sleep
anyhow. A man in my splendid health
doesn't need sleep. It's rotten waste
of time
Silence for several minutes; then
the stranger leaned forward, resting
! his elbows on his knees, and said in
a low tone:
81 got telegram hyeh says y'u
got jug that y'u amt no right t. last
night at Kildare. l want tibet Jug
young fella."
Now, that's very unfortunate. Or
dinarily should be delighted, but ]
really couldn't give away my Kildare
Jug Now if it was one of my other
jugs-even my Omaha jug, or my dear
Louisville iug-I shouldn't hesitate q
minute, but that old Kildare jug.
My dear man, you don't know what
you ask"
"Y'll give me tibet jug or it'll be the
worse for yu. Y'u amt in tibet game
young fella."
''Not in it, You don't know whom
you are addressing. I'm not only in the
game, but I'm in to the finish,' de
clared Ardmore, sitting upright in his
chair. you've got the wrong idea, my
friend If you think you can intimidate
me. That jug was given me by d
friend, very old and dear friend"
"a friend of yourn?"
The keen little gray eyes were
blinking rapidly.
"one of the best friends ever hat
in this world" and Ardmore's face
showed feeling. "He and / charged
side by side through the bloodiest bat
ties Of the civil war. will cheerful!
give you my watch, or money in an!
sum, but the jug-I will part with m!
life first And now" concluded Ard
more, while should be glad to con
tinue this conversation, my duties cal
me elsewhere"