Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-27

I
what's the use OF living? We mus
go one better than our neighbo'
whether We enjoy our neighpor
speciality or not. tell you, dear, peo
pie no longer dare to live and EMO!
their own lives. They are always
peeking through the window-blind &c
see If Jones or Brown or Smith is dul!
appreciative OF them and envylna
them. What's style but dressing as
your neighbor does and not neces
sarily as you want tor
when people talk about love IN a
cottage" returned the girl. they think
of only three inhabiting the cottage
the man, the woman and love. Ihey
forget the fourth"
"And what may that be-"
BILLS"
Algernon laughed. simplicity
child, does away with bills"
"And with love-after a time
mot with the right kind OF love"
Amy kind, but parental or filial
tell you, joe turning on him her eyes
grave and earnest, her hands clasped
in her lap. II know all about 1t. |
am not the usual girl Of my class,
protected from trouble and poverty,
ignorant of the world and what 1t
means, this being poverty-stricken:
My employers always grew fond or
me and made much of me, but never
reciprocated don't know why, ex-
cent that poverty Is like lemon
soueezer to wiring the soul dry OF any
of the softer feelings. And no matter
how broad-minded they were there
was always a difference between us;
neither side could forget that we
were simply employer and employed.
It is so, ice. They thought they
treated mo as they did other girls. no
better born than I am, no more refined
or better educated. but they didn't.
earned my living and unintentionally
perhaps. they felt superior to me.
know, 7 say, for have suffered
Love" said Algernon gently, ZEN
dures all things
IF things can prove themselves
worthy"
"Jove, Molly. you are cynical! But
you know that you do not believe what
you say
"Cynical?" she repeated question
ingly. and shook her head mo, am
not cynical. I have simply learned
my lesson well. Poverty is the best
teacher there is, joe You don't be-
lieve me, for you are man and I'M
married. Women always make the
best pupils. whether in the school OF
life or in the grammar schools or COL
leges. Women have the most con-
sciences that suffer most. ] have
thrown mine overboard-years ago.
Wait until you are married and then
you will know more than you do now.
You will suffer through your wife,
maybe not because OF any overlooking
love for her, but because she Will
make you suffer, whether you will or
no. She will get after YOU
81 tell you one thing Molly Power
ty got a mighty poor scholar when
she got YOU"
81 have learned enough, thanks. No
more for me, if l can help it." She
nodded emphatically and knocked
from her lap a dry leaf brought there
by a passing breeze. ),
you've got to stay in school with
me, dear" whispered Algernon softly.
"You won't play hooky and leave me to
take the lickings alone, will your
Lets go home I'm tired and the
sun is so hot Joe. you are nice boy,
but you are terribly
Young said Algernon. But am
growing older every day, and you are
not an octogenarian yourself. yet,
Molly
mot young. foolish" said she.
Algernon Strengthened around and
took hold of the wheel, turning the
car homeward. IL would rather have
my foolishness~t than your wisdom
said he.
She agreed. $50 should I. But 1t
is harder to unlearn fact than it is
to learn it. You wait until you are
married and then you will begin to
learn
and become cynic like you, |
suppose"
"Assuredly, dear boy Marriage and
poverty, the combination Is merely a
synonym for cynicism."
IT want to learn" declared Alser-
non. "Will you teach me?" leaning
toward her
She did not answer. 1t was very
still on the country read, save for the
chuff, chuff Of the car as it gained
Roadway and the shrill chorus of the
crickets from the brown fields on
either side.
Molly" whispered Algernon.
Suddenly she looked at him, the
dimples coming. her eyes twinkling
through their heavy lashes.
"Sir." said she. 81 am your employ
err. You forget yourself"
molly, Molly" he laughed, you
are hedging already"
She shook her head whimsically
Joe. you are terribly
Young" said she, and discretly
lowered her eyes.
Algernon laughed. Molly
'Who do you think Is coming to my
lawn party?" she interrupted quickly
to change the subject.
Everybody, said Algernon shortly
mo, but this person is some one
you have never seen before and
neither have T.
1.-THE devil" suggested Algernon.
"Pish, I've met him lots of times.
No. this person is a stranger, just
come to town"