Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-12-25

fried chick'n." she said to old Jere-
boam, who, with half.dozen extras,
had been pressed into perspiring tray
service. "Dey got all de Mefodis'
preachahs All evan Sc laid in de shade
dis day. Hyuh! hyuh!"
"'Deed dey has! Hugh! huyh!"
echoed Jereboam huskily.
The Mason yard, an hour later, was
an active encampment Of rocking
chairs, and din Of conversation
floated out over the pink oleanders,
whose tubs had achieved fresh coat
Of bright green paint for the occasion.
Mrs. Poly Gifford-a guest Of the day
here shone respondent.
"The young folks are counting
nightly on the dance tonight" observ-
ed Mrs. Livy Stowe Of Seven Oaks.
even the Buckner girls have got new
ball dresses"
"Improvident, call IT," said Mrs.
Clifford. "They can't afford such
things, with Park Hill mortgaged up to
the roof the way it Is"
Mrs. Mason's soft apologize alto
interposed.
They're sweet girls. and we're
never young but once. ! think 1t was
so fine of Mr.. Valiant to offer to give
the ball. hear he's motored to Char
lottesville three or four times for fix
ings. though I understand he's poor
enough since he gave up his money as
he did. What princely act that was!"
"Ye-e-es," agreed Mrs. Clifford, but
little-what shall call it?--precipit-
GUS! If were married to man like
that 7 should always be in terror Of his
adopting an orphan asylum or turning
republican or something equally i'm
possible"
He's good-looking enough for most
girls to be willing to risk it, returned
| Mrs. Stowe, to say nothing OF wild
ow or two might mention she AIDED
graphically.
II believe you'll" said Mrs. Clifford
with emphasis. I'VE all know who
you metn. Why any woman can't be
satisfied with having had one hus-
band, l can't see."
The other pursued her lips II know
some women with live husbands, for
that matter" she said, who If the
truth were told, aren't either. It's
lucky there's no marriage in heaven or
there'd be a precious miX-up before
they got through with it,"
well" Mrs. Clifford rejoined, 1.-The
bible may say there's no marriage or
giving in marriage in heaven, but II
I see Poly there, I'll say to them, Look
here. That's mine, and all you women
angels keep your wings off him."
The listening phalanx relaxed in
smiles. Presently Mrs. Mason said:
II was at Miss Matte Sues the
other day. Mr.. Valiant had just called
on her She was tremendously pleased.
She said he was the living image OF
his father"
ooh, it never occurred to me, y
cried Mrs. Clifford, in some excitement,
that she might be able to guess who
the woman was at the bottom of that
old duel. But Miss Matte Sue Is so
everlastingly close-mouthed," she ad'
ded. with an aggravated sigh. "She
never lets out anything. Why, I've
been trying for years to find out how
old she is. In the winter-when she
was so sick, you know went to see
her one day, and said: Now, Miss
Matte Sue, you know you're pretty
sick. Not that think you're going to
die. but one never knows. And II the
Lord should see fit to call you, l know
you would want everything to be done
right. I was thinking said, of the
stone, for I know the ladies' Of the
church would want to do something
nice. Now don't you feel like giving
me a few little details-the date you
we're born, for instance? thought
! I'd find out then, but I didn't She
turned her head on the pillow and says
she, It's mighty thoughtful of you,
Mrs. Clifford, but I like simplicity.
Just put on my tombstone Here lies
Matte Sue Mabry. Born virgin, died
virgin"
The doctor shut his Office door with
vicious slam and from the vantage
of the wire window-screen looked
sourly across the beds Of marigold and
nasturtium.
81 reckon If Mrs. Poly Clifford shut
| her mouth more than ten minutes
hand-runnig," he said malevolently.
"the top of her head'd fly from here to
Charlottesville. What on earth can
they find to gable about? They've
been at it since ten oclock!"
Inc uldJOI, SuoCohNSo Will ~ Sio"'
In the easy chair behind him, flourish
ed his palm-leaf fan and smOte an er'
rant fly. He was in gayest plumage,
His fine white waistcoat was miracle,
his spats pattern, and the pink in his
button-hole had Beau Brummelish
air which many youthful gallant was
to envy him ere the day was done.
speaking of Damory Court, he
said in his big voice. "The dance
idea was a happy thought of young
Valiant's I'll be surprised If he
doesn't do it to the queens taste
The doctor nodded. "This place
can't teach him much about such fold
erolings. reckon. He's led more cot.
illions that I've got hairs on my head
"I'd hardly limit 1t to that" said the
major, chortling at the easy thrust.
"And after all, even folderings have
their USE"
"Who said they hadn't? If people
choose to make whirling dervishes of
themselves, they at least can reflect
that it's better for their lives than
cane-bottom chairs. Though that's
about all you can say in favor of the
modern ball."
"Pshaw," said the major. 81 rem.