Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-06-04


in the face of a victim.
Fred Corliss, in his wheezy little
runabout, came in the wake Of the
f1ier to the inert mass OF mangled
blue by the roadside.
Ezra Halfway, thin stream trick
ling from his temple, reused himself
and suddenly made a wavering at
tempt to regain his feet. His gaunt
frame, balanced precariously on two
lottery aud emaciated legs, showed
signs of sudden collapse as Corliss
came to a sudden stop and leaped to
the old mans assistance.
"Why, Uncle Ezra!" he exclaimed.
whats the NATTER"
"Uncle Ezra Hathaway, as he was
Familiarity known to all residents OF
Centerville, was popular favorite.
who'd thought" came from the
recovering octogenarian, testify, that
I'd a lived to come through tn hor-
rors an evils Of war to be downed at
last by one of them pesky benzine
buggies?"
Young Corliss gave relieved
laugh. With his own handkerchief
he carefully stanched the blood
emanating from a slight cut in the
old mans forehead and assisted the
reluctant veteran toward his own lit
tie machine. &c.,.
"I'm all right, Fred" protested the
injured man. mo use in my botherin'
you to carry me into town."
But Corliss, a tall youth with de-
termined eye and resolute jaw, per-
sisted.
Uncle Ezra lived some miles out OF
On Memorial day he in
arrayed himself in we'll
worn suit of blue, and not only
walked into town, but marched with
the comrades of his post to the little
cemetery half mile beyond. This.
as the years rolled on, was becoming
more and more dificult to the old
soldier. but he never acknowledged
the encroaching infirmities Of old
age-even to himself.
"You shouldn't do this" remon.
strated Corliss. seating himself beside
the old gentleman and starting the
machine. There is no sense in it.
You have horses and buggy, and
the walk Is too much for you - let
alone the liability of accidents. The
roads are not what they were ten
years ago. These touring cars keep
q pedestrians life in danger, unless
his sense Of hearing is wonderfully
acute"
"Huh," snorted Uncle Ezra. II see
myself riding into town after walk
in it all these years"
The old mans scanned face was
pale. 1t was evident that
the accident had Jared him more
than his resolute old lips would
acknowledge.
In front Of the Horton domicile,
Just skirting the town, Uncle Ezra
succumbed to sudden fainting spell.
and crumpled against his companion
with closed eyes and pallid coun-
tenance.
This was doubly unfortunate.
The Horizons were the last people
in the world Of whom Corliss cared
TO ask favors. Since the engagement
between vivacious Dolly Horton and
Frel had been broken off by mutual
engagement planned in
the infancy Of the two by their
youth had. felt strange
sense OF aggrievance, although. pre-
vious to this, he had believed that his
future was spoiled by this pre-
arranged match.
No one could have cause to COM
plain of a lack Of charms In the
young woman in question. This was
evident as she came tripping to the
door in response to Horizons knock.
The girl was as pretty as a budding
rose in June. Her eyes were wells
If twinkling sunshine, and even now
hey beamed mischievously as they
ELL upon the broad shouldered youth
before her.
"You!" she said, and the careless
augh in her voice was softened by
The vivid touch Of red dotting her
cheeks.
Eyes, it is l." he answered shortly.
MS proud head alert and his strong
Jaw thrust out at more determined
angle. ~ am not here. however. to
,all'' he could not resist the thrust
but to ask favor. Uncle Ezra
pathway has met with an accident.
md seems to be seriously hurt how
seriously l don't know. He fell into
! faint, or stupor. Just as we were
opposite this house, and so must
,sk you to care for him while l go
or doctor"
AS the explanation progressed, the
on the girls face under
vent a change. The coquetry died
rom her eyes to give chance to a
look Of grave concern.
Father" she called suddenly,
Come here"
An elderly man came leisurely out
If the house, and, in second, the
situation was made clear to him.
rhe unconscious veteran was lifted
form the runabout and taken
nto the house. From afar came the
stirring rhythm of drum and fife. The
Of the old man were gath
RI dD 10 thai r