Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-03-18

medicine chest or Mandy box as any
Thoroughly experienced carpenter. In
fact, Alfred's mother called him her
expert caplnet-maker." (But we all
know the pride Of mother!) I.
One day while very busy In his little
shop-which was just bit of an old
storehouse-Alfred was surprised by
his mother opening the door and usher
ing in a neighbor lady. 1--we brought
Mrs. Jackson to see that shirtbox you
are making for father" explained Mrs.
James.
ooh, how do you do, Mrs. Jackson?"
said 1,.lred cordially, quickly remov-
ing his cap, which he always wore
while working. You must excuse the
appearance of my shop-it's In terri
BILE disorder"
Its certainly the shop OF a very
busy boy" declared Mrs. Jackson, TAX
ing the three-legged stool Alfred placed
for her.
Indeed my boy Is the busiest body
you ever saw, Mrs. Jackson. But-here
is the shirtbox was telling you about.
And Mrs. James pointed to nicely
made box-length and width for fresh
ly-laundered shirts-which stood on
one end of Alfred's workable.
"Just the thing!" cried Mrs. Jackson,
going to the box to examine it. well,
here are little drawers at one end!
How convenient" :.
1.-THE deepest drawer Is for cuffs"
explained Alfred. 1.-The second In
depth is for collars. The third-and
top one lis for ties and buttons.
You'll see 1t is partitioned- small
compartment for shirt studs and but
tons, and the long compartment for
ties
"Oh, it's complete! And Mrs. Jack
son drew out each drawer In turn. Its
Just what Mr.. Jackson needs-for he
simply can't keep his collars and cuffs
separateds while In dresser drawer.
And his ties oh, they're everywhere!
This is the very thing want to provide
him with Can't you make one for me
Alfredo"
Alfred's face flushed with pleasure.
He was happy to take Mrs. Jackson's
order and promised her the box within
a week. He had one hour to work
every morning before school, and some
times a little while after school,. his
lessons would let him of. And Satur'
DAYS he spent in his shop from nine In
the morning until two in the afternoon
After that he went for some sort OF
recreation with his friends, skating.
playing ball or taking long walks ints.
the country.
/. After Mrs. Jackson had departed.
Mrs. James remained on in A!fred's
skop. She loved to sit there and watch
MIN at his work. And often she brought
her mending there. or book to read to
Alfred as he worked at painting or
staining. or any nuiet work that would
permit of his listening to her. The
shop-though only an old unused store
rcom-lhad been made comfortable by
Alfred.
,'.Youll make a good thing out Of that
shjrtbox. SON." said Mrs. James. "As
soon as the. good housekeepers OF the
town see the box Mrs. Jackson has
for her husband, they'll come by twos
to order like boxes for their sons and
know how handy they are
and how they'll go like hot cakes. as
the saying is
Eyes, mother. do believe I've hit
upon a pretty good thing in that shirt.
box, admitted Alfred And I'm going
to make up several OF them to have on
hand, so that customers may be sup
piled at once"
"And your medicine chest. Why not
make one to keep as sampler" asked
Mrs. James. Its the best chest for
the purpose ever saw. That little
closed compartment in which poison
GUS medicines are to be kept under
lock and key is worth everything IN
household where there are children"
eyes, for on the door to that poison
shelf, shall paint in hideous design
deaths head and cross bones. And no
child would dare unlock that little
compartment. Like you, mother, have
faith in my medicine chest. And 1t
stands upright against the wall, with a
door, instead of lid. It's convenient,
you see."
So, full of hope, Alfred went right
to work that day on the shirtbox for
Mrs. Jackson and within the week had
1t completed and delivered to its
owner.
To say that Mr.. Jackson was highly
pleased would scarcely express his JOY
on being shown the box, all filled with
his shirts, collars and ties. 'Why, my
wardrobe will keep itself in future" he
laughed "No more reprimands from
you. my dear. on account Of my things
getting out of place"
eyes, it saves both you and me much
trouble" replied Mrs. Jackson. "And
more than that, it helps the dearest,
Independent, most ambitious boy in
the world" And Mrs. Jackson told Of
Alfred's shop and of his work.
81 like to see boy like that" OBJ
served Mr.. Jackson. his eyes still on
his new shirtbox. THAT Alfred James
Is made Of the right sort Of material
After that Alfred found so many or
ders for medicine chests, shirtboxes,
shoeboxes, handy" boxes. etc., piled
up on his little desk that he smilingiy
remarked to his mother:
,"Momsey, I see my bank account
growing to sufficient size to carry
me through college, or at least to take
me part way I've got 500 worth OF
orders in already, and more will fol-
low And l make very good profit
out of my work, for the material used
costs me very little. It's my work
that makes the boxes and chests valu-
~h 90