Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-15
OTTUMWA IOWA OCTOBER 1916

Hes as safe as horse could be.
Then the rain began pouring anc
the night settled In as black as ink
! Before time for the sun to be already
set the clouds had hidden it's light
and night was upon that part Of the
world an hour too soon. Lena tried te
be brave hearted and lighted severa
candles. Her mother always warned
her against the use of lamps during
| her absence.
The rain became more and more
severe. the wind raising to make mat
tiers worse. The clock soon pointed te
seven and still John did not return
home. Lena tried to keep her little
sister and brother occupied so as to
prevent their becoming frightened
over being alone in the big house, SC
far from other human habitation. But
with every fresh clap Of thunder
Benny or Gertie would creep close to
Lena's side and whisper their fears.
II wish we could go to Mrs.
Browns" whimpered Gertie.
II wish mamma and papa were
601u oOAAys q
"And I wish John would come, "
said Lena mentally. But like all little
children, Benny and Gertie soon be.
came sleepy. Then all fear vanished
and they lay on the big couch In the
living room in deep slumber. Lena
decided to let them remain there for
time at least. She dreaded going to
the big silent rooms upstairs, where
the roar of the wind and rain would
cause her loneliness to increase.
About nine o'clock Lena awoke the
little ones and led them up to their
little beds. Then she returned to the
living room, still hoping to hear some
sound Of the buggy wheels in the yard
But the time went on and on, and no
living mortal put In an appearance.
Lena was growing accustomed to the
situation and was about to repair to
her room. having decided that remain
ing up could do no possible good, Wnen
a strange noise fell upon her ear she
listened intently. The noise was near
to one Of the windows and sounded as
though some object were being tossed
hither and thither against the wall OF
the house. Lena, always brave girl,
went to the window and cautiously
peered out beneath the shade which
she had drawn after lighting the can
dies. To her horror she saw long
dark object swing out from behind
the great bunch of lilac bushes which
grew beside the window. The object
it was-struck against the
house. It was this which Lena had
heard for several minutes. She drew
back her heart beating fast. what
was this strange thing? She did not
believe in ghosts or "spooks, Du1
somehow a cold chill went over ner
and she stood In the center OF the
room, uncertain as to what course 70
pursue. It was not q human being.
she was certain of that. But she could
not conjecture the nature Of the Cd
Iect which flung out from behind the
lilac bushes.
For more than an hour Lena sat on
peering out under the
window shade. And she was always
! low chair close beside the window,
by the same sight, the long
swinging object being flung against
he wall. Owing to the darkness she
could barely distinguish the object.
After a long and horrible hour OF
suspense the rain suddenly ceased
he clouds swept across the Sky and
he moon came out. Then Lena saw
things palmer. But the object Wnlcn
she had noticed during the storm nad
seemingly disappeared. But wnlle she
was wondering up the walk came JONI
afoot. She ran to admit him and ne
soon explained his long absence.
"You see, Miss Lena" he said, i
unhitched old Davey to let him resi-
while went to the station store 10 get
myself a new hat to wear to the wed
ding And, yes, got new SUIT, 100;
n took some time, you see, so wanted
old Davey to get a rest. And lieu
him to the back Of the buggy and gave
him twist of hay. Well, when got
back to the buggy old Davey was gone.
And I've hunted the whole country
about the station for him and don't
And him. So home have come atoot
and drenched to the skin to boot. And
no wedding party for me TINS tlme.
THAT'S too bad, john sympatnl
zed Lena. Then she began to tell MN
hat her father hod not yet returned
from town when the noise began OUT.
side the house. Lena hurriedly told
John of how that same mysterious
noise had kept her afraid and nervous
ali evening. ""And can see something
strange, too, john she whispered,
"Well, no spooks round here that
ran make me tremble in me boots,
loudly boasted good John. And out
he went to the lilac bush. Lena stood
beside the window looking boldly out
since Johns return her fear had flown
away.
cried John. And he led from shelter
NJ the lilac bushes old Davey drip
ming rain. "Ah, Miss Lena. 1t was the
critters tail as he switched IT tnat
made the noise
1.-THE joke is on me" laughed Lena,
'And now can see perfectly plain
that it was his long tail that swung
,ut against the house. Well, my spook
has turned out like every other per-
sons spook-to be very harmless
thing. But-Tm glad old Dayey got
nome safe and sound, even If ne dld
give YOU the slip, John. And youll
have to 20 to see the bride and bride.
room tomorrow and explain why you
-. ot+,nd tho weodinp"