Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-08-19
Guess your mother isn't expecting me

this week, eh?"
mo, Granny, she thought the heat
would keep you home, so she sent me
out to bear the message to you. anc
to get your wishes on the subject.
said Perry. Then he tapped Paul and
Saul with the lines and off they trot
ted, townwards. AS they entered towr
they passed close to the baseball
grounds, fenced in. But the noise OF
cheers and laughter could be heard
and Grandmother asked II q game
was in progress that afternoon. Perry
explained that their own town team
was playing against their neighborine
town team, and that he was very
much interested in the outcome.
"Well, child, why didn't you attend
the gamer. asked Grandmother.
know how boys-and men, too, II you
please-do enjoy good ball game
I've often thought that, through mere
curiosity, I'd go to see game some
time before I get to old for such
things" dear old Granny" was
sixty-five! But she was as sprightly
as girl.)
Say, Granny, why not go now"
It, was Sadie asked the question. FER
ny had felt like asking 1t, but did
not. Still, when Sadie asked 1t a
glow of anticipated pleasure came into
his eyes.
"Well, we'll, suppose we do turn
back to the gate and go in. I'd truly
enjoy a ball game. But-do you think
people would laugh at an old grand
mother like me, coming to ball
"a ho
certainly not, Granny" declared
Sadie.
Sure they won't or mean,
they'd better not" emphasized Perry.
LET me catch anyone laughing at you,
Granny. But therell be no danger of
that, for every one loves you, Granny
Everybody will be happy to see you
there"
Grandmother laughed again, and
flushed bit at the y ords Of assurance
and pride from P'.rry "All right,
Sonny, turn back. Will we be in time :"
just beginning. Well get In Just in
time to see the very best Of it,
The horses were 1iitched to con-
venient tree outside the fence and
Perry led his ladies 70 the grandstand:
had found the required
price Of admittance in her purse. AS
they went up the steps, AID the town
crowd mostly young persons saw
dear old Mrs. Houghton" they set
lp a hand1clapping Of we,sonle to her.
It was is Perry had declared, they
Ill loved her.
Hardly had the three got seated
l signal to him, and looking round,
recognized Frank on the "bieache,s."
You're all right. Perry!" he WIS
brave enough to call out And you
didn't lose anything by no. coming
with me, eh?"
lone never loses by saying no
when it's necessary to say 1t. replied
Perry. And the people seated about
hem wondered what could be the
Knew Of Perry's temptation. no- how
1e had withstood 1t SO bravely. Had
hey known Of 1t, they would have
said, He reaped his just reward by
urning his back on deceit" He got
o attend the game anyway. and had
most choice seat under shelter from
he pouring sun. and in company with
lis dear old grandmother and pretty
cousin. And he could go home with
er all about the game and how they
had enjoyed it. And could also say
that he had attended to her errand
.irst.
After the game was finished, Grand
mother Houghton said in a whisper
to Perry: "Of course, you and Sadie
cared for it, dear. but to save me. I
couldn't see head or tail to 1t. r.
guess it's hard to teach an old lady
new games-so she can understand
EN-. But I'm glad I saw it,
nd
Perry And caught up the lines and
clucked to Paul and Saul to "trot
along.'