Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-30

HeI lHOuSutS IOT the tlHl0 DGluS from
the future Of her son. She leaned
back in her low chair under the will
lows and sought to concentrate her
mind on a copy Of Don Quixote in the
original. but the foolish knight and his
Dulcinea seemed to embody the like
ness of her son and she laid the book
down with a sigh and gave herself up
to vain longings and gloomy forebod-
ings. If Algernon would only do some
thing! She did not care what, SO long
as it was useful and could not be con-
taminated by the name Of sport.
She drank three cups of tea in her
anxiety. though firmly convinced in
her more normal moments that two
cups We're criminal disregard for ones
health, and still Algernon did not
come. He ought to fall in love with
some girl Of the right kind. she de-
cided, a girl who would stir him up
and make him do something, not the
girl he always selected for his short,
soul-rending, and for the time being,
heart-breaking, courtships - girls
whose conception of the seriousness
of life was as charmingly vague and as
hopelessy inconsequental as Alger-
mons own.
''She must not be poor and she must
not be rich thought Mrs. Todd, sip
ping her fourth cup Of tea. "She
must be New England girl, no shift
less Southern girl, no Eighty callow
Westerner She must have good
strict bringing-up and enough common
sense to do for two. She must be
girl with a serious purpose in life.
college girl, capable, cultured and in
terested actively in the great move
ments Of the times-suffrage, child
labor, charities. Where can ind her,
where can I find her? Miss Sprague?
Yes. indeed"
Then she glanced up and saw Alger-
non coming across the lawn. He
raised his hat with the air of gentle
ennui that always irritated his mother.
and sank languidly into the nearest
chair.
II hope you had nice time, mama"
said he, as she handed him his tea and
offered him the cakes. You might as
well leave the cakes right here on my
knee. It will save us both trouble"
"Algernon, pray be so good as not
to call me mama any longer. 1t is
positively foolish and do not see why
you do 1t. 1t is entirely lacking In dig.
nifty and beauty"
''Shall it be MAJ" asked Algernon
gently.
Mother. That name is too beauti
full to be spoilt. Beside, you are too
old to call me by that childish name,
and am too old to be so called
Algernon leaned forward and laid
his hand on her knee with an az
fectionate little caress of love, his
eyes full Of tenderness. "You would
be mama for years to come on that
ground" said he.
Mrs. Todd's eyes softened and her
resolution to speak more sternly than
ever upon the subject Of his future
nearly vanished in the rosy glow of
love. She shook her head laughlngly,
and helped herself hastily 10 the cakes
to regain her fast disappearing firm
ness. Have you been thinking about
that of which I spoke to you before
I went out this afternoon, Algernon?'
she asked. mildly determined. i.
'I have, indeed
And have you come to any con-
Of course, do not mean any
definite decision as to just what you
intend to do. One can not settle ones
future in a day. But have you made
up your mind to do something merit
orious, serious, and stop playing?"
IT have" said Algernon.
Mrs. Todd beamed. THAT is good.
We shall think carefully for day or
two and then decide what you are best
fitted to undertake. Personally,
would like to see you statesman.
But if you prefer to enter the office
Algernon waived the suggestions
aside. II have decided to I'M
dertake some scientific researches, to
Mrs. Todd frowned. This savored
Of the detested sports, and she feared
for the moment that Algernon had
not yet received clear conception OF
what she had in mind. do you mean
to climb the Alps?" she questioned
anxiously
Algernon shook his head. ~ mean"
said he, pausing moment to select
cake, 81 mean to go out and learn how
the other half lives" s..l
II thought you said explore"
81 did. mama. Explore the un-
known world of poverty. How can /
better dispense my fortune when get
It than by finding out now who needs
It most?"
Mrs. Todd nodded doubtfully ut
Is always we'll to know who are
worthy"
"Just so. The unworthy can go to
hell for all we care, can't they
s t-r
"Algernon!" .
"Mama?"
"Mother!"
Mother" as -.ss ..tf...
II am serious"
and so am I. What do you and
really know about the world? Who
make the world, anyway? A few
wealthy families who have more than
the Lord ever intended one man to
have. or the great mass Of the people
who are too busy to set I'D the claim
Of being the universe, as the wealthy
do? I am going out to study the
world"
Mrs. Todd was perplexed and un-
certain. She poured herself another
cup of tea and Algernon handed her
the cakes "If could only believe