Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-03-11

out the family store house of pro
visions, for the family was very
poor, Jakey's father being small
farmer with stingy piece of land
from which he could scarcely get q
living. And on this evening Of which
I write, Jakey was homeward bound
smile on his face and glad sen
sation warming his heart. He had an
extra sum of money in his pocket
that evening, for very wealthy
lady had seen him passing her house
with his basket piled with popcorn
balls, and had called out.to, him to
come to her. Jakey stopped at her
door and she bargained Tor the has
ket of popcorn at once. She was CIV
ing a party that night for her little
daughter and wanted the corn dainties
for the little guests. But after receiv.
ing twice the sum for the corn that
the shopkeeper would have given him,
Jakey felt that he must 60 on into
town and explain to his regular patron
that he had sold the basket of popcorn
to the wealthy lady, and that he
would come on the following day with
another basketful for him.
- The old shopkeeper (whose shop
held everything from darning needle
to bass drum candy, CONNECTIONS of
every kind, toys .ncluded) told
Jakey that he had done the right
thing. Always strike good bargain,
my lad, whenever you cam" he said.
"But you must remember, your old
friends at the same time. Eh?"
Eyes, sir" said Jakey. II wouldn't
think Of failing you, Daddy Crime"
Everybody. called the old shopkeeper
Daddy Grime.") II shall fetch a
larger supply OF corn to you tomorrow,
sir"
And SO 1t was that Jakey was
happy as he went homeward that win
ter evening, trudging through the
snow And as he hurried along the
sky suddenly became overcast with
clouds and snow began falling rap
idly. Jakey quickened his footsteps
for 1t was late-the evening having al
ready settled down, and the storm
would increase with nightfall. 1t al
ways took day for JaKey to make the
tourney to town, for he was obliged to
20 afoot, and his basket was big and
heavy, very heavy going, but lighter
on returning. g
It still wanted three miles to-
Jakeys home when the darkness filled
the mountain valley through which
lay his path. And as the road was
often steep and irregular, deep crew
ices lying along the base OF the
mountain on either side tof 1t, Jakey
became uncertain of his footing and
picked his way carefully. Just at a
turn in the road his foot slipped In
the snow and he went down q deep
embankment Over and over he and
his basket rolled, reaching the bot
tom of the gully without other in
Jury than fright to Jasey and a broken,
handle to the basket. Jakey picked
himself up and stood clinging to an
ice covered tree trunk which was con-
yenient!y near He tried looking up
ward. but the snow and sleet filled his
ewes and blinded him. So he bent
his head. wondering what to do.
& Then Jakey tried climbing the steep
bank. LuI his feet would slip back
wards at eyerv attempt. Repeatedly
lid he grasp the body of the tree and
quill himself upwards. just to slip
again. At last, fatigued and
chilled to the marrow, he dropped on
he ground in despair. ooh, what
shall do?" he cried in very woe. Il
shall freeze here-If don't find some
sort of shelter. And my dear father
and mother will be so anxious and
too, when | do not reach
home at the regular hour. Oh, what i'll
luck has attended mel"
IL ;e> hoe /nf q ~ n,
ed it over his head and shoulders. 1t
helped to protect him from the fast
falling snow There he stood, cling
ing to the tree trunk, the basket
sheltering him but poorly, and the
storm increasing with the darkness.
He never was in such dilemma be-,
fore, and being only boy OF IL yeas
II age, he coulc be excused If tears
anne into his eyes and lump In his
throat.
"Oh, what is to become Of me?" he
walled. "And how poor papa and
mamma will grieve when they find my
frozen body! And dear old Daddy
think me Enthusiastically
when tomorrow comes and | fail to
carry to him the basket of popcorn
Now that this misfortune has be-
fallen me, l am sorry that l did not
Jake the popcorn to him today instead
If selling 1t to the rich lady,"
Just then something soft touched
MS arm, and Jakey looked from under
he basket 1t was not the, falling
snow. Neither was it the wind. 1t
was a small creature nuffled In fur to
his neck. 'Ah, ha, my lad, you are in
trouble" So spoke the little fellow who
had laid a gloved hand on Jakey's
shoulder.
YES, my good stranger" replied
Jakey, feeling glad Of someone's COM
pany, even though that one be a most
understood and strange looking per-
son. Eyes, I have slipped from the
road above us to this spot and vainly
have l tried to get out of it"
"Ah, ha," said the stranger. II see
you are in quite pic.ile. Well, we'll.
we'll, let's see what's to be done. How
Tar do you live from here, lad?'