Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-26

OTTUM
didn't have time to think up an an
swer. We used to slide down from
the castle the way that the flremen dc
down the pole; but, after Helen anc
I ruined two new ginghams and FREQ
tore his brown sweater all to pieces
and Gerald really left most of his
sailor suit on that crooked, knobby
limb, mother decreed that any one
who damaged his clothes climbing
must forfeit the privileges of Cherry
tree castle for a whole week. Sc
we had to leave the fire drill out.
When we got into the house, father
and mother and Fred we're all waiting
for us. Gerald cuddled down on the
rug by mothers feet, Helen sat prop
erly in a chair, but I perched on the
arm Of fathers rocker.
1--WE can have the Westport cottage
this summer" began father.
"Hurrah," shouted Gerald and
Helen, and I smiled happily.
only" went on father II am
afraid I can't run down as usual. You
know am all alone in the office, and
I'm pretty busy. Perhaps could
| come down for day or two in Aug
ust."
Il don't want to go If father cant
! come" said Gerald sturdily
II vote we stay here" said Fred
Helen and I nodded too, and mothe,
! laughed as If she was amused at a
private little joke of her own.
"Of course we won't leave you,
Horace" she said softly. Helen and
/ ran out into the kitchen to make
some lemonade, and, as l was squeez-
ing the lemons. had my idea.
Every night father walks out in the
garden to see how much his dear
beans and corn have grown. Helen
never comes because she hates to step
in the burrows, and luckily mother
sent Gerald into the house to change
his blouse, and had father all to my
self. l waited until he was quite
through looking at every blade of corn,
then I tucked my hand in his elbow
and led him down to our old play
house.
"Would it cost too much to make a
tiny bungalow out of this?" I asked.
Father walked around and around it.
ded his, head. 10
cpl have Mason, the carpenter,
come and take look at it." he prom
Used. Fl suppose YOU girls want it
for a summer house?"
1--WE want it for Fred" I charped.
"You see he has to go down street to
meet the big fellows, and perhaps, If
he had a dear little bungalow, they
might come here
Him." grunted father. why aren't
you and Gerald good enough for him."
why, father, they're high-school
boys, and naturally t'.ey're, mere ex-
citing" -.r-.>,,
"You can do just as you like. Nan
ME-" said father in his kindest tones;
and the very next day he sent Mr..
Mason, the carpenter, over.
Fred was in the house only to eat
his meals and to sleep, and he never
noticed what was happening to the
dear little playhouse. Mr.. Mason did
his very, hest. and, when he was done,
Gerald a-d I stained it lovely
green: Mother said it was the most
animated color she ever saw. Father
made a couch out Of a cot-bed, while
Helen made all kinds of washable sofa
cushions known. We found three
chairs in the attic, and we stained
them too. After Fred's Indian chief
pictures were pinned up, the place
looked like a regular boys bungalow.
When everything was done. I made
three kinds of candy, and Helen baked
a handsome cake, and mother made
cocoa We sent Gerald off to find
Fred and some of the big boys. We
all stood around with anxious faces.
In a few minutes We heard Gerald's
shrill little voice.
"And Mamie planned It, and the
rest of us helped. and there's paddock
on the door ard you're to have the
key, and it's yours"
Fred locked verv sober, and I was
afraid he didn't like it.
Gerald kept right on talking. "You
can bring the big fellows down here"
"They've got another fellow who
can pitch better'n J." said Fred, short
w. Gerald gave him a sly push inside
the bungalow. and For a moment no.
body spoke; but saw little quicker
come between his eyebrows, and I
knaw he had a bright idea.
"I say, Mamie. let's form a Robin
Hood band. Helen and you can be
nut-brown maids. and we'll get a lot
of fellows for bold foresters.
"And. Gerald. if you tell the Pres
colt and Brown boys, We'll play ball
after supper"
So we all began to eat cake and
candy, and it tasted like honey and
nectar. for big Brother Fred was just
the same again. So we had the bum
galow instead of the big fellows, and
we are just as happy as kings.