Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-07
lily pig, while half a dozen chickens en-

alongside and were dreSSeu Dy COAhle,
while Mrs. Cavendish performed the
same offices for the baby. Then there
was breakfast, from which Mr.. Caven-
dish rose yawning to so to bed, where
before dropping off to sleep, he played
with the baby. This left Mrs. Cavern
dish in full command of her floating
dooryard She smoked reflective
pipe, watching the river between puffs,
and occasionally lending hand at the
sweeps. Later the FANNY wash en-
gagged her 1t had neither beginning
nor end but serialized itself from day
to day. Connie was already proficient
at the tubs. It was a knack she was
In no danger of losing.
Keppel and Henry took turns at the
sweeps, while the three smaller chill
|dren began to manifest love for the
water they had not seemed to possess
earlier In the day. They played along
the edge of the raft, always in immi-
nent danger OF falling in, always being
called back, or seized, just In time to
prevent catastrophe. This ,ceasless
activity on their part earned them
much in the way Of cuttings, chastise-
ments which Mrs. Cavendish admin
istered with no great spirit.
'"Drat you. why don't you 60 look at
pore gentleman instead of posterin' q
body most to DEATH" she demanded
at length, and they stole off on tiptoe
to stare at Yancy. Presently Richard
ran to his mothers side. G31
Come quick-he's mutterin' and
mumblin' and moving his head!" he
cried. It was as the child said, Yancy
had reused from his heavy stupor.
Words almost inaudible and quite in
articulate were issuing from his lips
and there was restless movement OF
his head on the pillow.
He pears powerful distressed
about something" said Mrs. Caven-
dish. II reckon I'd better give him
little stimulant now"
While she was gone for the whisky,
Connie, who had squatted down beside
the bed, touched Yancy's hand which
lay open. Instantly his fingers closed
about hers and he was silent; the
movement of his head ceased abruptly;
but when she sought to withdraw her
hand he began to murmur again.
IT declare, what he wants is some
one to sit beside him!" said Mrs. Cav
endish, who had returned with the
whisky, few drops of which she man.
aged to force between Yancy's lips. All
the rest of that day some one of the
children sat beside the wounded man,
who was quiet and satisfied just as long
as there was small hand for him to
hold. &hl,& t&lsa
"He must be a family man." observ-
oil M. oh ,hn,, tim
of this. well tie up at Pleasantville
landing and learn who he u.s."
He had ought to have a doctor to
look at them cuts of his" said Mrs.
Cavendish, A ras. @ f
It was late afternoon when the land
ing was reached. Half score of men
were loafing about the woodward on
shore. Mr.. Cavendish made fast to q
blasted tree, then he climbed the bank !;
the men regarding him tncuriously as
he approached. .tJ
"Howdy," said Cavendish genially.
"Howdy," they answered.
Where might I find the nearest
doctor?" imputed Cavendish.
within about six foot of you"
said one of the group.
Meaning yourself?"
Meaning myself"
Briefly Cavendish told the story OF
Yancy's rescue.
Nov, Doc, want you should cast
an eye over the way we've dressed his
:uts, and want the rest Of you to come
and take look at him and tell who he
is and where he belongs" he said in
conclusion.
I'll know him II he belongs within
forty miles of here in any direction"
said the doctor. But he shook his head
when his eye rested on Yancy. Never
saw him." he said briefly.
"How about them bandages, Doc?"
demanded Cavendish.
"Oh, reckon they'll d." replied the
doctor inadvertently.
Twill he live?"
II can't say. You'll know all about
that inside the next forty-eight hours.
Better let the rest have 9 look"
"Just feel OF them bandages-sho',
I got money in my pants!" Mr.. Caven-
dish was rapidly losing his temper,
yet he controlled himself until each
man had taken look at Yancy; but
always with the same result-a shake
of the head. II reckon can leave him
here% Cavendish asked, when the last
man had looked and turned away
b Leave him here-why?" demanded
the doctor slowly.
Because I'm going on, that's why.
I'm headed for downstream, and he
amt in any sort of shape to say
whether he wants to 60 or STOP" ex-
planned Cavendish.
"You picked him up, didn't you?"
asked one of the men.
Il certainly did," said Cavendish.
"Well, I reckon If you're SO anxious
for him to stay hereabout, you'd better
stop, yourself" said the owner of the
woodward. There amt a house within
two miles of here but mine, and he
don't go there!'
you're a healthy lot, you are!" said
Cavendsh II wonder your largeness 70
heart amt ruptured your wishbones
long ago!" So saying, he retired to
the stern of his raft and leaned against
the sweep-handle, apparently lost in
thought. His visitors climbed the bank
and reestablished themselves on the
wood.ranks -