Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-17

John Muller entered the suburban
train bound cityward and took tho
seat nearest the rear door. His rea.
son for taking that particular seat was
specific; he believed he saw his sts-
ter-in.law In the seat Just ahead and
Johns greatest delight was teasing.
His brothers wife had not seen him
enter and he slipped quietly into his
seat
John Muller had supposed that the
feminine world kept its new Easter
bonnet carefully wrapped In tissue
paper until Easter Sunday morning.
Evidently his sister-in-law did not.
This was most certainly the new bon
net she had brought out for his mas
culine admiration not two days before.
John had recognized the hat because
there was nothing else visible-not
even one shining black curl. But the
long green tweed coat he also recog'
nized. Jean had been sporting that
since her honeymoon trip to Scotland.
John eyed the little gold tassle that
swayed with the movement OF the train
close to where jeans ear must be. He
could not see the ear under the poke
bonnet.
Jeans brother-in-law started with
soft little Jerks at the gold tassel.
No response.
He gave another tug, tribe moro
definite.
Still no response from beneath the
Easter bonnet.
John became annoyed at his own
futile efforts and pulled the golden tas'
sci with an imperious jerk, at the same
time leaning forward and crying Ding
ding"
He started back suddenly as the
girl turned and flashed a wrathful
glance at him.
The fact under the bonnet was not
that of his sister-in-law! He caught
his breath and would have apologized
but the indignant young woman had
arisen angrily from her seat and had
taken another.
Feeling very uncomfortable at his
own awful mistake. yet irritated that
the Young woman had not been will
ing TO listen to his apology, John
spept an uncomfortable fifteen minutes
| while the train pulled Mn at Jamaica
Taking the bull by the horns, he
| attempted when the passengers got on
the train to make one more attempt to
right himself in the eyes of the girl
Tha, he was suspected OF being com
mon firt was not pleasant.
| When the train stopped, Muller
went out Just behind the girl and
raising his hat, said politely. 81 beg
your pardon, but
The girl in the Easter bonnet turned
swiftly and two crimson spots burned
, in her cheeks "Sir, il you DO not
cease to annoy me vii call an officer!
She went hurriedly into the train fol
the Pennsylvania station, and with
4 many muttnred words Of short decid
ed nature Muller stamped into the
} Flatbush avenue car.
| The incident turned his whole day tc
gloom. He was annoyed at his sister
! in.law for buying a hat and CLOAK
chemically like that of any other Won
an. He resolved then and there tha
if he ever had the privilege of writ
| ing checks for feminine apparel hi
would stipulate exclusive style in those
garments. Muller smiled with touch
of malice. Jeans hat was far more be
coming to her than the same hat wa'
/ to the wrathful girl of the train.
I John Muller tried to remember TIT
| color of the girls eyes. but nothins
save the outraged expression Of he
face had impressed itself on his mind
! storm, havoc and thunder were al
that he could see when he attempted