Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-11-05

self in the midst of a perfect paradise.
The great lake shone beneath the
bright autumn sun like giant gem.
The lovely, wellkept grounds skirtins
the lake shore were SO inviting to the
small-town boy. Everything about the
city, from the thronged, dusty streets
to its beautiful tree-bordered avenues
and splendid parks. unfolded new glor.
les and wonders to Robert King. And
how cordial his uncle and aunt were,
and what pals Harry and Gladys were
beginning to be! Really, Robert was IN
the seventh heaven Of delight from
morning till evening.
One beautiful Saturday afternoon
Robert was sufficiently recovered from
the effects Of constant sightseeing TO
bethink himself Of play just plain.
everyday play And he got his kite
from the storeroom, where 1t hae
been put on his arrival in the city.
"Say, cousin Harry. don't you want
to fly my kite?" he asked Of Harry.
Eyes, 1t will be great sport, Bobby;
but I've an errand to run for mamma
first. Suppose you go down on the lake
and practice flying 1t till join you.
Then we'll 60 away out to the park.
It's fine out there for hte-hying-j Just
outside the trees, you know, In the big
open space.
Robert thought Harry's plan good
one and, with kite In arms, started out
toward the lake shore. A beautiful ave
nue. fronted the lake, and as it was az
a point where there was not very much
early afternoon driving, Robert had q
good and safe sweep OF ground over
which to run. He let out the kite. and
soon the stiff breeze was carrying It
away at rapid rate far into the sky.
Robert always enjoyed the. sport OF
kite.fying, and as this was new ex-
perience- flying kite in the city-he
became so absorbed in his fun that ne
forgot to notice his surroundings or
to keep tab on the distance he was
running The kite, freakish as kites al
ways are, led him away from the lake
into pretty little street Of cottages
and green yards. Then into another
street, and SO on; and after a while,
when Robert remembered that Harry
was to meet him within half an hour,
he found himself wondering which d.
rection would lead him home. But he,
felt that he had kept pretty straight
course along the lake, which was now
no longer in view, and he set out to
find It. He kept going and going, and
after awhile the houses became
scarcer and the streets unpaved And
occasionally common looking shack
would appear nestled on stretch Of
prairie. Not that Robert was outside
the city, but he was in part Of 1t
>, ~ q ,0} uot h,,tlt i'm ~
After going great distance and
feeling very much afraid that he was
lost, he stopped to make inquiry Of a
man at little shop door. He found
that he was some three miles from
home and one-half mile from the lake.
Being so strange in the city, 1t never
occurred to Robert to inquire for the
nearest street car going In the direc-
ton Of his uncle's home. His first
thought was to go direct to the lake
and follow it to his uncle's house.
Being a good walker, Robert was
soon on the shore of the lake, carry
his kite. He approached small fish,
ing shanty and asked Of rough old
former seaman the way to his home,
giving the address. "Waal, lad, var
a long piece frum thar, but II you're
so inclined you kin get aboard my
little ship right thar and I'll take you
over. I'm going in that direction.
anyway. an would be glad Of yer COM
pany."
Roberts heart futtered. He looked
with admiring eyes at the little ship"
and beheld fine launch. "Oh, If
won't be troubling you, Sir" he said,
I'D Just love to go along with you"
Within another ten minutes Robert
was aboard the little ship" whose
name was Prairie Queen" and was
going of across the lake like the wind.
The old captain proved to be a most
entertaining companion and related
many seafaring tales that mde Roberts
blood Jingle in his veins. And he did
not notice the length Of time it took
to make the landing place which was
just one block from where his uncle's
house stood.
When the Prairie Queen" puffed
into the landing place Robert heard
someone calling his name, and looking