Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-22

rather bent shoulders and straighten-
ed him back.
You're coming out to Luncheon me
and won't be refused-again. You
always turn me down, Hart, but I be-
lieve on my soul you've nothing
against me! I want to see you-come
along!"
Hart, hesitating moment, made
ready.
eff your wife expects you this after
noon, you can phone her you are not
coming; | want you for the matinee
and for something else too" continued
Sorter
Despite himself, Hart obeyed--in-
deed he was willing to be amused-he
wanted to forget the private school and
some proposed alterations in the house
and dress suit for Don, who thought
he needed one, and who thought him
self candidate for college.
The two men had a substantial
lunch, at goor place anr then went
to sorter's club, where they played
billiards, and finally sat together in
the library. They talked Sorter lead
ing where he wished, and Hart had
queer feeling that this man, albeit in
friendly way. was Sizing him up
but he always had seemed to do that.
The play to which they went was a
light thing enough, modern to a de-
gree, and was a fruitful thing for
omment-lightly and continually
made by the younger man. 1t was the
old American story Of the overburden-
ed man, the overindulged family living
little beyond It's means.
THAT fellow is paying for the sin
of not doing right by himself" Sorter
remarked. cts common mistake.
No man who pinches and deprives
himself can grow. AS he gets older,
he gets afraid to take the initiative, to
risk, because his caution for his fam
lily hampers him. In the end it is even
worse for his family than for himself"
Hart nodded, and finished slowly,
but from his heart. "And finds him
losing ground, falling behind, while his
children and his wife, keep up to
things. Pretty soon he begins to feel
like an alien in his own house-he has
no time to keep abreast of anything
outside save his business and when
he gets home he's so tired that he can
attend to nothing but the bothers."
"Dodson," continued young Sorter,
is a case in point Bent. back num-
Der, simply purse constantly empty
ing itself into the hands of family
which he himself has spoiled into a
selfishness that will some day have to
suffer their way out of His daughters
are in expensive private schools, his
son Is a white-handed hanger-on of
society girls. His wife absorbed in
bridge and her neighbors' clothes. It's
mistake-a man has to launch out to
the limit Of his capacity and let his
family take with him any reasonable
risks My wife pushes me-never
holds me back, good girl! want you
to know her, and your family, Hart"
When the play was over. Hart
thought that would be all, but the 9TH
er man held his arm.
This is only prelude to a bust
mes stalk, Hart. It's a social favor---I
ask it. Come to my Office. I've little
proposition to make"
An hour later Harry Hart was phon-
ing his wife that he could not be home
for dinner-he had to take friend
out to dinner down town, and he
would tell her about it when he reach
ed home later on.
1t was nearly 9 o'clock when, alert
and glowing from the cold, new con-
fidence In his bearing, his eyes alight
with hope and courage, he joined his
family in the coy library. The young
er children had gone to bed, but Don
aid and katherine still sat with their
mother near the fire. He kissed his
wife and took the chair Donald had
the unaccustomed grace to rise and
pull close for him. He drew his pretty
daughter to sit on his knee.
I've news for you all, home folks"
he began. Beginning with New Years
day when the papers will be signed, l
shall belong to the firm of Sorter.
Hart & Sorter,' architects. .Sorter, SEN
ior, asked me today. 1t will take every
bit of capital I can scrape together,
but it means new freedom, independ-
ence, and in the end much more mon
ey for me-and you all. The risk. if
any, is slight, and you must take II
with me- / have never wanted to
cramp you in any way, and I don't
know sut we will have to live rather