Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-01

OTT1
that take five dollars with me in case
of need. And he also said must
write for money If l found myself in
a tight pinch.
II started right out to see how !
could manage to work my way on the
train to the country. had decided
on my destination-the hill-country of
toward the Grand River. So I went
to the train officials and asked If l
could work my way on the train. They
only laughed at me and said a curt
NO But l did not give up. l kept q
weather eye open. One day as was
walking down the street behind Mr..
and Mrs. Gates-you know the very
rich Gates-I overheard Mrs. Gates
saying: I Just can't make up my mind
to send poor Mimic in the baggage car.
think / shall be obliged to hire some
boy to carry him through. You know
they do not object to dog riding in
the day coach If in company with some
person
well, here was my chance. had
no idea where Mrs. Gates wanted to
send Mimic, who was doubtless her pet
doggie. But it was evident he was to
be shipped somewhere and that COM
panion-or keeper sounds better-was
desired to pilot him through. I knew
Mimic was not to go on through
train for they won't allow dogs even
in the day coaches in the 'throughs.'
Evidently he was going on some local,
or on the little branch running to the
coal mines. So steps up beside Mrs.
Gates-she had once been my Sunday
schoolteacher and knew me and
asked for particulars. I'll not consume
time by explaining how opened the
conversation and what was said. Suf-
f1cient to say that found Mimic was
dog for sure, and that he was being
shipped to Mrs. Gates sister In the
very locality that l longed to reach
A bargain was struck at once. Mrs.
CAFES was only too glad to pay m:
fare to Adamsville to have
me carry along her pet dog. The
journey, as you know, covers day.
So, with Mimic in basket-he isn't
larger than Kitten made my jour
ney to Adamsville safely. Once only
was obliged to feed the little fellow,
and I gave him water several times
during the trip. He behaved nicely,
too, slept all the time in his basket.
in the evening Mrs. Gates sister met
the train and relieved me Of the ami
NAL. So had made my journey to the
Land of Promise without spending
cent of the IS papa had insisted |
should take with me.
THAT night being as fine one as
ever saw, l slept in an empty house
near to the railroad station. got per-
mission to do so from the station
master, who had the key to the build.
ing In the big empty storeroom was
q counter which served admirably toT
bed. I used my overcoat-wh1ch
had carried in my travelling case-as
q cover. My short coat was good
pillow slept till daybreak, when |
awoke and went forth to find what
might do.
"The village was full of summer
cottagers, and inquired OF several
high headed gardeners If might find
some employment about the spacious
grounds attached to each cottage. But
nothing in that line seemed waiting
for yours truly. was about to decide
to break the IS bill for some breakfast
when my eye caught this sign in front
of a building: Boy wanted to pack
eggs I waited round that place Till .
o'clock | had reached the spot at
6-till the proprietor came. He en-
gagged me at once at 81 day had
worked that day till o'clock, stopping
only to eat my dinner at noon.
went breakfastless. Well, proved
good egg packer, and was kept as long
as I cared to remain, which was three
days. That gave me 81 clear, for
had spent 81 for my meals at little
five cent restaurant on the street
nearby. The egg dealer allowed me to
sleep on couch in his Office He was
a very nice man and wanted me to re-
main with him during the summer. But
I knew that adventures lay farther
afleld. So Jared forth and walked to
the gardening country at the foot OF
the hills. There the land Is as rich as
cream and gardeners send all their
produce to the city 100 miles distant,
and to the city also go the crates OF
packed eggs that my first employer
shipped out every morning.
"Well, to shorten long story, got
lob with the very first gardener
came to. He was what we call truck
farmer My duties were manifold.
which gave me variety Of work and
saved me from monotony. There re.
NAMED during the entire month OF
June, saving up my wages, which
amounted to 50 per week. OF course,
I got my room and board, and of the
best, too.
"A little more money in my pocket,
| Jared forth again. l had heard of
hunting party that had camped on the
river, Just a mile from us. went to
them and at once engaged myself to
them as general utility man. Well,
then my real vacation began. 1t was
a glorious time from day to day. We
hunted and fished, moving our camp
about every fifth day. We explored
all that region of the hill country. The
woods are full Of game, the streams
full of fish. l cooked helped with the
camp work in general, and became
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