Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-09

slavery. 1t was his chance. The man
was clever enough not to ask for
decision then. AS he let the young
fellow down and complimented MRS.
Willis, who had come out with her
baby, he remarked:
"Tink 1t over day or two and
I'll come over and fix things up
"Then he drove away. and the little
happy family went into its simple
evening meal They had little save
necessities, but they owed no man;
they had health and love--and
honesty.
Never SO much as on this night
had the young head Of the family
realized his blessings. And as he
smoked on the porch while after
supper he did a lot Of thinking. The
proposition" seemed square enough.
Perhaps Ryan was right, politically.
And If he, Willis, did political work
lit was surely no bribery to be paid
for It in favor and influence. He
thought of the little place debt-free.
the chance of fuller life for Molly.
and better prospect for educating
the babies, and a better position for
himself Perhaps this was indeed his
chanse He would think about 1t.
But the nigh. brought little sleep
Willis was restless, and the restless
ness spread to the others. Four.Eear-
old Bobbie fretted and wanted fre-
quent drinks and the baby was wake
full. Jerry wanted to talk things over
with Molly, but a queer something
held him back 1t was doubt OF
what she would think-or, rather,
knowledge that she would not think
about it at ALL She would promptly
call it dishonest, and there would be
an end to It. He knew what women
folks In general thought-that any
thing political could not be pure ana
undefiled, and that explanations
would make no difference. what nc
did want was to talk with some one
who would assure him that It was all
right. Resolving to be fair ana
square," he managed to go to sleep
toward morning.
Next day at his work, the thinking
went on. When asked about the
[ election he was less sure about his
choice. But he avoided questions.
II he was to Swing" their vote ne
must keep still until he knew exactly
what position to take. His face was
worried. and at night when he was
ready to start far home Ryan ana the
little mare were again waiting Ior
him. The politician was gay and I'M
prudent. He had been 70 Jerry
home, he said, and told Mrs. Willis
her husband would not be homo FOR
supper-he wanted him tc look over
some properay he. Ryan, mad TO sell.
He fold Jerry he had "made 1t right"
with her. Then he took him to his
home in the suburbs, and they had a
dinner of quality He treasured him,
made him see things in new light.
1t was all really so plausible tnat
but for his old habit Of caution, Will
lis would have fallen in line at once,
But finally, rather late IN the evening,
and over a glass of extremely good
wine, he promised to let him nov
the next evening Tor good. ny 4
said he would drive over to W1liie's
house in the evening. He hated 80
delay, but dared not urge the you.;g
man futher.
When Jerry reached home the
babies were asleep. He hoped Moll:-
would be, too, but she sat waiting,
bright as usual But there was a
trace of anxiety in her tone as she
asked him what he had been doing.
She asked from real interests, for she
was not the woman to distrust her
man in his goings and comtngs.
"Talking politics." he answered.
Then he thought he would tell her all
about it, but finally decided that she
would not understand and that he
had better keep still and do his own
thinking.
Again he lay awake most of the
night and by morning had Ryan's an
swer ready for him. He thought he
would make it all surprise for
Molly. She would, Of course, be wild
with delight at cleaning the place, and
especially with better work better
paid. for him. 1t would be best as a
surprise, for he had strange reluc-
lance ,out consulting her He was
after all, the head of the house, and
what he said had to "go."
lie went to work, and all day was
silent and busy. No one could get an
unnecessary word with him. And the
moment closing time came he started
for -ome and supper-and Molly.
Molly regarded him with a wise and
wifely eye, as he ate, and after she
had put tn. children to bed followed
him out to the little garden, which
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