Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-15
Lena's "Spook."

Lenn'S "SpOOk.
Lena was the eldest of three chi
dren. She was IA, her brother Benn,
was, II and her sister Gertrude-al
ways called Gertie-was seven. LEM
was real little mother to Benn,
and Gertie during her mothers All
sence from home which occurred oftel
for she was frequently called to he
aged mothers sick bed.
The day on which this story OPEN
Lena's mother, Mrs. Johnson, receive,
q message from her own mother wricl
read: Come at once. Your mothe
very ILL., So she called to Lena, say
ing: Daughter, your dear old Cram.
is very sick and must hasten to he
bedside. l shall be gone for severa
days unless Granny gets better very
rapidly. You must look after Benn.
and Gertie in your usual good way.
hope pape will be home before night
fall; but you know he thought he
might be obliged to remain in towr
over tomorrow in order to attend tc
all his business. If he doesn't return
you and the children would better &C
over to the Browns to stay tonight.
have promised Mrs. Healy (Mrs. Healy
was the woman Of all work In the
johnson house, that she might 90
home Of evenings. You know he1
brothers child is Ill and Mrs. Healy
assists it's mother in nursing It,"
"All right, mamma" replied Lena,
II shall look after Benny and Gertfe
as usual. Well be at school each
morning on time. I'll ask papa to call
me very early. Mrs. Healy has so
much to do that she can't possibly at.
tend TO dressing Gertie and getting
our luncheon up for us. I'll perform
those little duties. And, II papa
doesn't come home this evening. I'll
take Benny and Gertie over to the
Browns. Mrs. Brown is always SO
cordial and declares she just loves to
have us all three come to stop over
night with her" !.
] Eyes, she's splendid neighbor and
a lovely woman" said Mr.. Johnson.
Il know she really does enjoy having
you and Benny and Gertie visit her
when papa and are away. Therefore
do not hesitate to send you there on
occasions And now l must get OIL.
John has the buggy at the door for me.
I'm glad John Is still with us. He's
20 trustworthy"( (John was the
young farm hand employed by Mr..
! And SO Mrs. Johnson, kissing her
.hree lovely children, got into the farm
buggy and was hurriedly driven to the
title railroad station a mile distant.
On the way the farm hand, John,
asked permission to leave the farm
hat evening after supper. There was
10 be a big wedding in the community
where his parents resided, and John
Wished to attend it. He promised Mrs.
Johnson that he would be home by
lawn on the following morning. I'll
De there in time to do the feedin' an
nilkin', ma'am," he promised. And
Mrs. Johnson, knowing flat John was
wholly trustworthy, consented to his
aking the saddle horse and attending
he wedding which was to take place
me miles distant.
So the plans for the Johnson house
lold were these: Mrs. johnson would
.emain at her mothers bedside till the
sid lady was in a fair way towards re-
;overy. Mr.. Johnson might remain in
own over night, returning home on
he following day. Mrs Healy was to
90 to her brothers farm, two miles
Instant from the Johnson farm, to help
lurse sick child through the night.
She, too, was to return to her en-
oloyment early on the following morn
ng. John was to attend the wedding
great event-near to his fathers
home in a distant community. The
Lena, Benny and Gertie,
we're to visit the Browns in the event
II their fathers absence over night,
where they would remain till the next
morning. Thus the Johnson house
would be left without an occupant for
about IL hours.
AS soon as the supper work was
lone, the milk strained away in the
cellar, and provisions for breakfast
made, Mrs. Healy took her leave.
Goodbye, my dear children" she
,aid, taking kindly farewell of
lena, Benny and Gertie. She was
very fond Of her employers children.
I'll be home early in the mornin',' So
,he was off across the meadow. But
is she started she looked about the
sky: Mercy on us, children, it's going
o pour down. You'd best be off to the
Browns as soon as John returns
(, Eyes. he'll drive us over" said
Lena. Then she put down all the
dressed Benny and Gertie
'or their visit and made herself ready
also But darkness began to fall, and
still John did not appear in the buggy.
The clouds had thickened, and a few
lrops Of rain battered against the win
low. Lena became a bit troubled over
Johns non-appearance. She feared
some accident had befallen him.
"Shan't we start to Mrs. Browns
asked anxious Benny. He
always loved to visit the Browns
Mrs Brown made such delicious mo-
asses candy and popcorn for him.
; eve daren't start afoot now,
brother" explained Lena. Its sprink-
ing, and will be pouring soon. See
low dark it is growing? We couldn't
each the Browns before pitch dark
less would be everywhere. And going
,vor a dirt road in a pouring rain