Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-25
II am going to sell my farm and

II am going to sell my farm and
come here, it's great"
"You think So" she told him, "but
you don't know. Why, John Austin,
I'd rather scrub and wash dishes back
among the pines than live the life
live.''
cts what she has gone through"
said the older woman to John.
Every now and then she has these
spells. The doctor says 1t is the ex-
element. Yet 1t is the only thing she
can do. We make pretty good team
together, but I amt got any talent.
It's her dancing that carries us
through, and If she stops we stop,
and there is only the poorhouse
ahead Of u.s.
The hack drove up to the curb as
she spoke Before them wasYa tall,
rickety tenement. John and the hack
man carried Mary up the dark STAIR
way. The little room that they en-
tered was square box OF dimness.
tits the best we can do" Mary
said, as John laid her on the bed. I'VE
have got to save little. II should
be sick"
you'll feel better when you have
a cup of tea and little supper,
said Maggie Then she turned to
John: II amt got much to offer you.
but wish you'd stay. Maybe you
can cheer Mary up. She won't be
able to go on tonight, and maybe
not tomorrow, and she'll be afraid OF
losing her job
IF I am not in the way" John said.
Mary shook her head. I'll try, to
sleep a little" she told him. and
you and Maggie can get supper IN the
other ROOM"
The other room was tiny place
with gas stove, kitchen table and
two plain chairs as its only furnish
ing. Outside of the window was a
box, and upon investigation Maggie
found that it contained nothing to
eat but loaf Of bread, very small
piece OF cheese and an infinitesimal
bit OF butter.
Johns pockets we're full OF money.
"You let me run out and get some
thing" lie said, eagerly, and, IN
spite of Maggie's feeble protests, ne
sped down the stairs and up the street:
He had never been in this part OF
the city before. His days experience
had shown him only the bright and
brilliant throughfares, and he knew
nothing of the slums. But now the
sordiness and suffering of it came
to him with full force. And then and
there he made vow: he would take
Mary Morrison back with him.
It was feast that he and Maggie
set forth on the table.
Mary, in pale pink wrapper
was radiant. The quiet hour rest
ed her, and the companionship OF
her old school friend was like q tonic.
Maggie ate steadily through the
menu, perfectly content with the
Providence which had brought this
good angel in moment OF need.
In the middle OF the feast note
camc for Mary. She opened and
dropped back in her chair with a
little cry.
"The manager has written that ]
must go on this evening or lose my
Job"
"You can't 90 on feeling this way
said Maggie.
"You sha'nt go on" said Johr
Mary rose YEARLY. '1've got t.
answer 1t and say yes. Maggie and
|. can't live on nothing"
you give me that pencil, /" said
John Austin. Then on the back OF
the note, he wrote two lines IN his
strong masculine scrawl.
He handed it back to Mary. Read
that to Maggie" he said, and the girl
flushing to the roots of her hair. falter
ed forth, miss Morrison leaves tomor
row for her old home, hence will not
appear in future on any stage"
but / can't leave" Mary protested
"I've got my living to think Of and
lMaggie's."
John stood up. He felt very
strong and manly and competent
f"I have big house down there" he
said, "and ], live alone In 1t. There i
room for more than you and Maggie
and have big farm that supplies
money for anything that choose to do
and you are going back there and be
happy. I used to call you my little
wife. Mary, when we went to schoo
together: why can't we make thai
dream come true?"
Maggie retired into the other room
This was better than vaudeville en-
gagements, and the precarious exist
ence of a team.
"Shall | take the note down to the
bow" she called from her retreat, ant
from the other room came Mary's ex