Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-10-27

1t was absolutely Dicks own per
sonal idea. He had been sweet on
the telegraph operator over at Indian
Pipe for several months and she froze
all of his tender advances at sight.
"And what she's got against me as
a husband can't imagine" Dick
would remark confidentially to the
other two rangers up on Rumble
Mountain. who shared his lodge I'm
thirty. and I'm steady-going and sober
and though I say as I shouldn't per,
haps I'm a fine specimen of the faith,
ful Woodworking male
"She's looking higher'n you. DICK.
old Cad Benseley would hand back
regularly as Dick started meditatlng.
shes tending strictly to business, SO
when she meets the road president
she'll be ready to elope."
mo, sir, she won't" Dick thrust at
him. Chin out, eyes swapping little
fire sparks, he meant business. "She
amt bit that sort, Cad. She's the
prettiest kid I ever laid eyes on, and
she's got way about her makes you
stand off. too. I'll bet she'd level a
gun in a good cause without thinking
twice. There's dimple in her chin,
but it's projecting chin all the same.
Sort of sticks out at the landscape in
an inquiring and belligerent manner.
took her up a bushel of apples so
she'd have something to MUNICH on
off hours, and she gave 'em away to
the fellers around the station
Women are something fierce" &C.
ceded Cad. I've had five. Buried
three, one ran away and the other
ones back in Nebraska threatening
to have me up in the courts for de-
sertion and nonsupport. An she's
earning her eighteen steady in
laundry, and here's me riding all day
and part of the night for the coun-
try's good Some women amt got any
practical focus, SO to speak, bit.
Her names Sarah. I'll take odds on
a Sally, but don't you ever let your
self get tangled matrimonially, boy,
with any Sarahs."
This ones names Polly, Polly
Lawton, she told me. Got hair all
little curly wiggles, Cad, round her
eyes and face. I've made believe send
of kilograms to great aunt down in
Texas every week, SO l could ride
over and talk to her. Said last night
it was funny my aunt never answered
those kilograms, and l said she was
tongue-tied before l thought. Then
she laughed at me, put back her head
and laughed like little kid. And say.
Cad her throat"
BOY, l say, go easy" cautioned
the old man, his eyes full of wrinkles.
when you get to noticing their
threats, and how purity they look
when they put their heads back, there
amt a bit of hope for you"
She's only about twenty, and she
says she amt got any more opinion
of men than she has of mules, not a
bit What'lr LIDO, Cad? want her
for keeps never felt this way about
a girl before. l make enough to get
married on, and I've been packing
away some every quarter down at Car
son. How'll I make her understand |
mean straight business
Cad considered for several minutes
in deep thought Then he rose and
consulted the almanac hanging from
a string from the shelp over the
wash bench.
1.-THE stars in their courses sure do
hustle for Caesar" he said. finally.
'St. Valentines day approaches, and
if l was you, Dick Emmett. I'd deal
with the queen of hearts up for
trumps. Send her valentine
Zone of them lace and gold things
with verses on 'em?" Dick looked
suspicious. "She'd just laugh at me-"
mo; not that kind. That ways