Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-10
you must wear shoes and collars all
the while"

you must wear shoes and collars all
the WHILE"
And poor Pete, most uncomfortable
consented, for he wished to look as
nicely as possible, for his mother s
sake more than for his own. So his
neck-that twisted about and longed
for freedom-was encased In q high
stiff collar each morning, and his feet
that ached to be bare and on the soft
warm earth were laced up in heavy.
soled shoes. These discomforts were
bravely borne by the new town boy.
But not so the taunts of his youthful
fewwors Hello pigeon-toed Pete!"
one would yell as Pete, basket on arm,
would walk down the towns business
street towards the grocery and meat
market whittier he was going to do the
days marketing for his mother. BE
careful, Kid, or you'll trample your
own corn crop!" another would-be
funny boy would cry, laughing loudly
at his own wit.
Peter, red in face, would turn about
and pursue his tormentors, the boys
scattering and hiding in out-of-way
corners behind buildings, yelling out
after him as he again went about his
business.
Some day I'll get even with you"
Peter would call back, shaking a
freckled fist threateningly. He was
no coward, and would have made any
of his tormentors sorry for his in
tended smartness had he got him In
his strong hands. And the town
kids" knew Peters physical strength
pretty we'll, for they always Kept
safe distance from him.
Haven't you got acquainted with
any of the town boys yet, PETER his
mother asked him one morning at the
breakfast table. Seems you ought
to have some friends to 60 fish1n' and
swimmin' with you these fine days.
And town school is out, isn't IT."
.'Not till next week." explained Pete.
his cheeks alame, for he had been
too much ashamed to tell his mother
of the town boys unfriendly treatment
of him. He knew it would hurt her.
So he had borne the Illuminating
taunts of the thoughtless, 1ll-bred
fellows without word to his parents.
School runs longer here In town than
in the country, mother"
That's right" replied his mother,
smiling. "Well, that accounts for your
not getting acquainted with any OF
the town boys. But as soon as school
is out, you'll make plenty OF friends,
for there's not a finer boy tnan mine
in all the world" And proud Mrs.
Tate kissed the shock Of reddish hair
hat crowned the big boys hear,
framing a good-natured but strong
lace.
Pete WINGED. He knew some things
which ne hoped his mother never
would learn. One of them was that
he was not of the town cut. ne
walked with his toes turned In, and
couldn't break himself OF 1t. HIS
strong neck which until now, In his
twelfth year, had been unconfined IN
stiff collars, was becoming like
poker his head sticking atop 1t like
a huge ball. And his best coat was
a years growth too small. His hat
the same. His hands seemed abnor-
mally large on account of the short
ness of his sleeves, Pete saw all these
things, but his fond mother did not.
So it should never be told her-Dy
him. He would suffer In silence TIL
the day-which he felt sure was ap-
proa ellington which he would get
even"
The month of June passed, the town
school having closed for the summer
vac. ION about the middle OF the
month. And still Mrs. Tate mourned
the fact that Peter had not made any
friends in town. She dressed him IN
his best every Sunday morning, and
went to church and Sunday school
with him. She saw that her dear
boy was ignored by the boys IN MS
Sunday school class. But they dld
not dare taunt him with his country
manners and "pigeon-toes," while IN
church. and even out of it on Sun
DAYS. they were obliged to behave
themselves, their elders being with
them. Consequently, while Mrs. Ttate
raw her son ignored, she did not know
o. Lis mean treatment by the boys OF
the town.
81 wonder why the boys don't make
up to you, A'atie " she asked her son
one day Just as he was starting to
the river half mile distant to fish.
Guess they're sort of bashful and
backward. Never knew that town
boys were that way. Say, sonny. I've
list thought of something. Maybe
on don't show a disposition to get
cuuainted with the boys. You ought
smile and speak to 'em when you
Get 'em. And of Sundays you ought
. lust make it a point to get &C.
,ainted as we come out Of the