Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-11-12
iboth old enough to know their own

both old enough to know their own
business"
"But Eben's cracking smart Teller
and I guess he'd fit into this family
all right"
"You never mind about the fit.
don't want you to say a word either
way If they decide to get married
we shall be consulted. Mother bad
gered me about my beaux TIL was
half crazy, and I say that Sarah Jane
shall be let alone
Eben Schermerhorn continued to be
smart. After a little he took to drop
ping In for an hour or two In tho
evening, and later on 1t might have
been said that no came accounting.
He was always welcome, but 1t trans
pired that he and Sarah Jane did not
exactly understand each other. Within
few weeks they were in love, but
neither dared own it. Eben was
scared at the idea OF being In love
with the daughter Of his boss, and the
girl stood In awe Of him because OF
his superior education and hts greater
knowledge of the world. It thus came
about that their talk was simply
friendly.
When things had been running
along for six months. Eben found
himself in stew. He knew that he
loved, but to save his neck, he could
not say that he was loved in return.
This state Of doubt made him mfser-
able. A dozen times over he resolved
to know the best or worst. and
dozen times over he flinched when
the pinch came.
Sarah Jane had quite lost her
heart, but she alone knew 1t. Her
father and mother were following
out program. and she could not
go to them for advice. Cupid must
have looked the ground over and had
good laugh. Just word and all
would be settled. but the word re-
manned unspoken..
Eben and the village cooper were
great friends and had passed many
evenings together. The cooper had
noticed things for some time, and at
length one evening he showed the
checker-board aside, and said:
"Eben. you are fool!"
Guess am"
"You are also in love!"
"Well?"
"You are fool because you dasn't
let Sarah Jane know that you love
herr"
"And you incoming around like
a calf that has lost his mother. Why
haven't you asked the girl plump out,
long ago."
1--WE been a-going to, but when
get ready to start in she changes the
subject on me That's the same as
giving me to understand that she
don't want to hear anything on the
subject"
"Hu! Eben, you're a fool"
"Why%
"Why, because you are an old bach
and have got the cart before the
horse Sarah Jane White Is ready to
marry you at any time. Fine gal.
Sarah is Make mighty good wife.
"But why don't she let me know
she loves me?" protested Eben
Because 1t amt her place to until
she knows your feelings toward her.
Sarah Jane is rather of quiet girl ]
believe"
Ear more than the average"
"Um! I'm! l think we ought to
SldTllS HcJ lALO DSII oy lAS hCi SAio-
tons. Some gals have to be startled
before they are dead-sure that they
love-"
"But-but-"
Listen Eben. Listen to a man
that's had three wives and courted
seventeen gals that he didn't marry
And the two men put their heads
together and whispered and nodded
and chuckled and shook hands and
said it would be sure to work.
It was winter The next evening
Eben was due to call at the Whites
at s o'clock sharp. and before the
hands of the clock reached those
figures Mr. and Mrs. White had de-
parted for prayer meeting. and Sarah
Jane had the house to herself.
Hurried footsteps and laundering
knock on the door It was the ex-
cited and hard.breathing cooper who
stood on the steps.
Father. Mother" gasped the girl.
"They are all right"
"Then-then---
"Fben. He's fell"
"And is dead!' as her hands went
up. .-.
,'Mebbe not. Mebbe he's only broke
both legs and his two arms. Come
along and see!'
Out into the gusty. snowy night she
followed him without cover for her
head or shoulders. and block away
they found Eben Schermerhorn in tho
snow in front Of the cooper shop.
went up to clean the snow off the
! roof and got fall, but he's breathing
yet" ..
Eben was carried to the house, and
as the cooper slipped away the patient
opened his eyes and regained con-
seriousness to hear fearful voice
wailing:
ooh, Eben, live for my sake, be-
cause love you sol"
Didn't I tell you so?' chuckled the
cooper next day. Some gals has to
b. fed gumdrops and some has to be
startled, and IL you ask me which Is
the best way I must answer that
dunno"