Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
The Discoverer

The day Jack and Hal reached
grandfather's house In the country,
the first thing they did was to say,
How d'you do?" to every living
thing on the farm. Then they sat
down and took off their stockings and
shoes, for going barefoot was one Of
their summer delights.
After dinner they set out on a voy-
age of discovery. They were hardly
outside the woodshed door when they
discovered the old corn-crib. They
knew what it was for it had stood
there ever since they could remem-
Der; but they had never paid any
particular attention to it before. 1t
was a little, one-story, one-room build
ing, as far from the house as it was
from the barn, and that was just as
far as the house and barn were from
each other The three buildings made
the points of triangle.
ut stands up like cat, on -four
legs, one in each corner, ~ said Jack
looking at the posts under the crib.
BY bending over, the boys could walk
wv" NSAA
They played it was cave.
But why Is it on legs, and what's
big old tin pan upside down on top
Of each leg for?" asked Hal. "Are
they for us to drum on?"
II don't know" said Jack, "but
anyway we can drum on the pans
Their drumming made Jack think
Of "The Pied Piper of Hamelin,' and
that made him think of rats. 81 know
why the corn-crib is set on posts, and
what the pans are on the top of the
posts for" he said. "They are SO the
rats and mice can't get in and carry
off the corn"
The sides Of the crib were mar
row, s1at-like boards, with little
space running all around the crib be-
tween each row of boards.
what are those cracks for?" asked
Hal. Are they so we can climb up
the walls?''
Il don't know" Jack answered.
''but anyway we can climb by the
cracks"
II know what the cracks are fol-"
said Jack "They are to let the wind
blow through the crib to dry the
corn"
The roof was pitched and shingled.
It was not very steep. At the front
end Of the ridgepole was fastened a
tall stick, taller than a man.
What do you suppose that is for?"
asked Hal. "Is it a mast to our ship
II don't know Jack said, but l
guess we can swim up to 1t.
20 Jack, I know what it fs!' Hal
D~l
"Sure enough! We have discovered
it over again. We shall be the next
after Amundsen to reach it, shouted
Jack.
1--WE haven't any dogs said Hal,
doubtfully.
The boys looked about them, Long
after the roof was shingled the ridge
pole had been mended by having a
narrow board nailed to each side Of 1t.
To reach the ridgepole, Uncle Harry
had nailed a row of little strips OF
wood, like the rounds Of ladder,
right up the middle of the roof. These
steps were still in place
"You can go first, and I will steer
your feet" Jack said generously.
But we shall not slip on the 1cebergs
because our feet are bare"
Never mind If do 90 first, we
will share the glory" Hal answered.
81 should freeze and starve II 1t were
not for you. The ice is very cold"
They climbed carefully, and soon
reached the ridgepole. They got
astride it and swan along until they
reached the South Pole. 1t was an ex-
citing voyage.
81 see whale!" cried Hal, when a
calf came out from cowshed Into the
barnyard
And there are some reindeer
don't startle them" whispered Jack,
when they caughe sight OF a flock OF
sheep in the pasture.
When they reached the pole, they
could see Uncle Edwards farm on
Maple Hill, more than mile away.
The buildings looked very small, but
from one they could see red flag
flying.
THE red flag means, Come over
here tomorrow said Jack.
Uncle Harry said they would fly
red flag If we were to go. That is
what this stick is for. It is Uncle
Harry's flagpole."
Just then Uncle Harry came out OF
the house, carrying the stars and
stripes. He was going to fly them to
say Eyes. we will come"
The brave discoveries were very
glad to have Uncle Harry's help in
getting back to civilization. He had
cached some stores-ginger cookies
in his coat pockets. The boys ate them
all before they left the pole.
"Well, declare" said Uncle Harry,
when they explained their adventures
and their scientific observations to
him. "the greatest discoveries are al.
ways those who first Of all find inter
esting things right in their own back
yard"