Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-11-14
Meten1psychosis

image, brought from far country, and
after many changes, finding a resting
place in the library Of Betty Lanes
/, house. Aunt Lu christened him Metem,
/ psychosis, saying that he looked as II
the souls of many benighted heather,
to say nothing of wild beasts, were
warning within him. That was too
long a name for daily use, however,
and was soon contracted into Tempsy
| Chosy, and at last became simply
. Tempsy.
! Betty often looked at him wondering
ly. One day she remarked to lothian,
the colored boy, who was a member of
tho family, do you spose, lothian, that
any little girls, away off, ever played
; dolls with him."
ooh, no, Missy" replied lothian, sob
erly. THAT was an idol in his own
country"
"An idol" repeated Betty.
Eyes. Missy, and perhaps hew as
wonderful powerful"
L what could he do?"
"Oh, I d'n know, Missy-all sorts of
things Maybe he could do things
now if you asked him very polite"
"What things?" persisted Betty.
well, perhaps if you should go to
him and bow three times very respec-
full and should say: Please, good Temp
sy Chosy, give me twenty-five cents,
you might find the money In your hand
some day."
! '1 don't believe it," answered Betty
/ *WeIl, 'twouldn't do no harm to try
him. But don't let on to nobody. Just
90 all alone by yourself, when there
| I'M
picked up his buster and went of to
the scolding which he knew awaited
him from Matilda, his mother, for
dawdling about.
| Many times through the day Betty
thought Of Metempsychosis She was
in pressing need of money. Some
for her She was bankrupt, and moth
ing coming in from her little allow
ance for three days. There was
dolls toilet-set at Chase's, Of which
Annette stood greatly in need. II
was just twenty-five cents. Could
Tempsey give it to her, and would he?
It was warm evening. Betty went
to bed, as usual. She heard her faith
er and mother talking on the piazza,
then the sound grew fainter. They've
gone over to Mrs. Blake's,' she
thought. There's nobody there now.
Tn just go and look" and her little
bare feet battered down the stairs and
through the long hall to the library.
A faint light in the room showed
Tempsey, leering and Sowing as
usual; but it did not show . youth
of nineteen who had just stepped up
on the piazza, and who stopped in
establishment at sight Of the little
white-robed figure. It was Betty's
idolized Brother George, who had I'M
expectedly come over from college
for a key which he had misiaid or
! forgotten. The evening was goin,
and he was in a hurry; nevertheless,
he stopped short, looked, and listen
ed.
Betty walked up to Tempsey and
bowed gravely three times.
"Please, good Tempsy, send me
! twenty-five cents
| Twice was the request repeated and
| then Betty turned and ran quickly
back upstairs.
well. WE'LL" said George, stepping
into the library and giving Tempsy
a. little shake. you seem to be short
Of change, old fellow. Guess I'll see
what can do. All! Here's just the
thing. as luck will have It,"
He took bright quarter from his
pocket, went into the dining room and
| put it under Betty's plate. Then ne
went to his room, found his key, and
departed.
Betty's first waking thought was Of
Tempsy. Would he send her the
money? and. if he did, how would ne
| do it? It would take him a long time
ito do it. She must be patient.
! So. when her plate was lifted, and
the bright quarter discovered, she gave
| a little scream. It was not altogether
| a scream of pleasure, the surprise was
too great
lothian heard the scream, and saw
the quarter. He forgot himself and
his duties altogether. His eyes fairly
blazed with excitement.
did you do it, Missy? Did you ask
him? Did Tempsy send it to you?
"Stop Jotham.' said Mr.. Lane.
'sWhat does this mean? Do you know
where that quarter came from Betty
His face was stern, for Jotham's ex-
cited questioning disturbed him.
'I asked Tempsy to send me quar-
ter" faltered Betty "and-heres this
when did you ask him.
Last night.
GOTHAM" said Mr.. Lane, do you
knew who put that money there?'
"No sir. / don't know nothin shout
it. / told Missy that Tempsy was idol
in his own country, not settin' round
on desks, dom nothin' like he does
here, an perhaps he might be powerful
boro iust tho same if ANYBODY asked
him very polite That's all know,
sir
what nonsense! Some one must
have heard little Missy's request and
put the quarter there. Don't think any
more about Tempsy, daughter. cup
coffee, if you please, mother
Nothing more was said about the
matter, Betty put the quarter in her lit
tie purse, but all her pleasure in spend
/ ing it was gone.
! After breakfast she went into the
library, but Tempsy seemed to leer at
her maliciously. She turned his face