Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-10
What Go1die
Found jnihe
Path

Path
Perhaps no one in the country was
more pleased to learn that spring was
coming than Grandpa Ashton. Winter
had been long and cold, and Grandpa
Ashton didn't like winter. He pre-
ferred freezing weather when he was
a boy, but after he had rheumatism
winter was different thing. 1t meant:
"Stay in the house, Mr.. Ashton, and
sit by the fire. Wait for spring, Mr..
Ashton, wait for spring."
Grandpa Ashton waited for spring
because he was obliged to do SO; but
Grandma Ashton says he was often
rather cross during that long, cold
winter. His rheumatism was worse
than usual, and he couldn't walk a
step without two canes, which may be
the reason.
Every day when school was out,
Grandpa Ashton used to sit by the
window and bow and smile to the
passing children. He liked to see the
seven children go hopping and skip
ping along the road, swinging their
dinner pals, kicking the snow, or
playing SNOWFALL; he said 1t cheered
his heart to see their rosy cheeks.
The day Grandpa Ashton knew that
winter had packed up his overcate
and icicles and was surely gone, he
watched for the school children.
When they appeared, laughing and
shouting for JOY because it was Friday,
Grandpa Ashton tapped loud on the
window and motioned for them to
come.
Spring is here!" he announced
after Grandma Ashton had opened
the window.
eve know It, We know it," shouted
the children. We'll bring you pussy
willows next week."
"That is the very reason I called
you!" declared Grandpa Ashton. II
wish to tell you this: I'll give dollar
to see violet growing! The first
child who brings me violet, roots and
all, shall have a dollar!"
The only one of the seven who
didn't dance joyfully and promise to
search through the woods for violet
the very next day was Goldie Brown.
She trudged soberly home. The next
day was Saturday, and Saturday was
Goldies busiest day. She always
washed breakfast dishes, did the dust
ing and took care Of the three little
ones, while her mother baked bread,
cakes, pies, cookies and got the house
in order for Sunday.
1T seems to me if I couldn't get
through with the Saturday work with
out Goldie's help Mrs. Brown often
told her neighbors. Goldie, short for
Goldilocks, was a nickname.
The following morning six children
called at the farmhouse for Goldie.
"Grandpa Ashton is going to give a
dollar to the one who finds the first
violet" one Of the children explained,
"and it wouldn't be fair if we didn't
stop for Goldie!"
81 am sorry" replied Mrs. Brown
slowly, "but I can't spare Goldie this
At first Goldie Brown couldn't help
srying; but she washed the dishes.
did the busting, and took care Of the
three little sisters as If nothing had
happened,-as If she didn't long to be
with the care-free children searching
for violets! BY the time Mrs. Brown
asked Goldie to go to the bottom of the
garden arter horse-radish roots the
little girl was happy and smiling.
She ran with hop, skip, and a jump
to do the errand After she reached
the horseradish patch and had secured
her roots, what did that little girl see
in clump of grass beside the sunny
path but blue violet blossom stretch
ing toward the sun. 1t didn't take her
long to dig the treasure and run with
it to the house.
"see what l have found!' she ex-
claimed.
"Take it Immediately to Grandpa
Ashton" advised her delighted mother,
land tell him that I say 1t grew In
the Path of Duty"
Somewhat puzzled, Goldie repeated
her mothers message when she car
ried the violet, roots and all, to Grand
pa Ashton.
mine cases out Of ten," observed
Grandpa Ashton solemnly, as he
placed a shining dollar in Goldie's
hand, mine cases out of ten, you will
find the choicest treasures in the
Path of Duty"
"The violets are not out yet" de-
clared the six children, when at last
they returned, tired and disappointed,
from the woods.
"One violet was out" corrected
Grandpa Ashton. ut was out looking
for Goldie Brown, who stayed home
to help her mother!" And, until
Grandpa Ashton told all his callers
about the violet that bloomed in
Goldie Browns path Of duty. He
tells that story to this day.