Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-03

WAS LQdOc pOOT Wy IHc loSoitiIAoh" AAS
was never contented. But ] was born
poor, and I lived in the Maine woods
On Sundays we had chicken, but the
rest of the week we lived on salt meat
Cosettc drummed on the window
pane. II hate the woods
1T isn't well to hate anything. I'll
bake griddle cakes for supper, and you
can have them with butter and sugar.
ooh, do you never think Of anything
but eating?" the girls face was aflame
as she turned away from the window.
II want something besides food
want something besides food want
lovely gowns, and roses and orchids,
and pearls for my ears, and rings on
my fingers"
"You want the impossible" said the
old grandmother. mo man that you
meet can give you rings for your fin
gers and pearls for your ears"
Then shall never marry"
The grandmother went on with her
cooking, but when there came knock
at the door, she said, ''It's John Mead,
/ know his step. He can have some of
my cakes"
But Cosette few up the stairs. 81
can't see him in this old Dress" she
cried.
The grandmother smiled wisely and
welcomed John. 1.-THE child's upstairs
Sit down and I'll bake some cakes for
you"
LET me bake them" John insisted,
while you rest"
"You belong to the woods" said the
old woman, as she watched him,
where the wind sings you to sleep at
night and the trees keep time to the
tune. Your strength is wasted here. !"
He faced her, wildly. I'm going to
get away from it. Ny grandfathers
were pioneer settlers. And measure
cloth across counter"
"The child will have to get away
from it" said the grandmother, lit is
killing her."
The young man set the plate of
steaming cakes on the table, and his
voice was hoarse as he spoke. "You
mean, she isn't well?'
II mean that she is learning things
from the other girls-to long for rings
on her fingers and pearls in her ears.
He defended Cosette. Girls love
pretty things"
"But when they love pretty things
more than they love love-" said the
wise old woman, then they need the
woods"
III she would only marry me-" said
the young man, I'VE would all go to.
gether."
The old woman shook her head.
"She will not" she said, until the
woods have taught her to forget the
things which do not count"
Cosette came down.
I'VE were talking about the woods"
said the grandmother. John thinks it
would be wise for us to 60 back.
There's my little house, and could
cook for the lumbermen, and you could
grow strong and well"
Cosette laughed. II won't co. she
said
But If you would marry me would
90 there to take care OF you'll beg you
to marry me, Cosette," was the mans
appeal
She flung up her head. NO. she
said, II won't be poor
do you love me?"
Her eyes fell before the flame in
his.
IF you were rich" she faltered.
II am not rich," he said, and his
face was very white, land shall never
ask you again to marry me until you
come to me and say, I love you.'"
II shall never say It,"
A week later, in spite of the girls
rebellion, the little grandmother had
her way 'The city is not the place
for pretty girl like Cosette," she in
sisted.
Yet 1t was in the woods that Cosette
met the man who wanted to give her
rings for her fingers and pearls for her
ears. He was little man and fat, and
he owned hunting lodge near the lum.
Der camp, and he owned, too, country
house and a city home and yacht and
four motor cars.
II love you he said, the third time
that he saw Cosette. IF you will marry
me you shall be wrapped in silks and
satins, and wear a diamond crown
Cosette shivered. please go away"
she begged; II am sure you mean to
be knid-but please go away"
And when he had gone she went up
stairs and threw herself on her knees
beside her grandfathers chair.
"He-he tried to kiss me-" she said,
'.and oh, grandmother love the
things he offers me-but wouldn't let
hin-kiss me" -
The grandmother murmured COM
fortingly and that night she wrote to
John Mead
When John Mead came swinging
through the wood a week later, he
heard womans screams.
Running hard, he came upon Cosette
and the little fat man, and the fat man
was saying blazing things Of anger and
disappointment.
"You shall marry me!' he shouted,
"if have to carry you off,"
John Mead caught him by the col
lar. Get out" he said tensely, "be-
tore drop you over the falls
The little man cast one glance to-
ward the roaring whirlpool of the
mountain stream, and skunk away.
Cosette chung to John. t.
"Oh, dear John, dear john" she
whispered, you've come to me at last"
It seemed to him that she must hear
his heart beating, but he stood away
from her and said calmly, Lets go