Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-01-15
CHAPTER XII.

They took to 1t like ducks to water.
Not. of course. that they didn't kick
about making their own beds and hay.
ing military discipline generally. They
complained lot, but when after three
days went by with the railroad running
as much on schedule as 1t ever does,
they were all still there. and Mr.. Jen-
nings had limped out and spent half
hour at the wood pile with his equity
foot on cushion. i saw it was sue.
cess.
ought to have been glad. was,
although when Mrs. Dicky found they
were all staying, and that she might
have to live in the shelter-house the
rest of the winter, there was an awful
scene. was glad. too, every time !
could see Mr.. Thoburn's gloomy face,
or hear the things he said when his
name went up for the military walk.
The strange thing of all was the way
they began to look up to Mr.. Pierce.
He was very strict; IL he made a rule,
1t was obey or leave. Gas they knew
after Mr.. Moody refused to take the
military walk, and was presented with
his bill and a railroad schedule within
an hour. He had to take the military
walk with Doctor Barnes that after
noon aIone) They had to respect a
gymnasium that they couldn't, and
come In from a ten or fifteen-mile
tramp through the snow and take a
cold plunge and swim to rest him
self
It was on Monday that we really got
things started. and on Monday after
moon Miss Summers came out to the
shelter-house In a towering rage.
Where's Mr. Pierce?" she de-
manded.
Il guess you can see he isn't hero"
said.
Just wait until see him!" she an
nounced. do you know that am down
on the blackboard for the military
walk today?-I!"
why not?"
She turned and glared at me. 'Why
not2" she repeated. "Why. the au-
dacity of the wretchl He brings me
out into the country in winter to play
in his atrocious play, strands me, and
then tells me to walk twenty miles
q day and smile over it," She came
over TO me and shook my arm. mot
only that" she said, but he has cut
out my cigarettes and put Arabella
on dog biscuit-Arabella. who can
hardly eat a chicken wing"
well. there's something to be
thankful for" said. He didn't put
you on dog biscuit"
She laughed then, with one OF her
quick changes of humor.
"The worst OF 1t is" she said, In a
confidential whisper, "Ili do II. I feel
1t. | guess IL the truth were known
I'm some older than he is. but-Pm
afraid of him. Minnie. Little Judy Is
ready to crawl around and speak for
cracker or kind word oh. I'm not
In love with him, but he's got the
courage to say what he means and do
what he says"
She went to the door and looked
back smiling.
I'm or for the wood-pile." she
called back. "And I've promised to
chop two inches on my heels"
As l say. they took to 1t like ducks
to water--except two Of them, Won In
valid and Thoburn. Mr.. Won invalid
stayed on, hardly know why, but l
guess 1t was because Mr.. Jennings still
hadn't done anything final about set
Elements, and with the newspapers
marrying him every day ii wasn't very
comfortable. Next to him, Mr.. Tho
burn was the unhappiest mortal have
ever seen.
Doctor Barnes came out that after
noon and watched me while l closed
the windows. He had package In his
hand. He sat on the railing of the
spring and looked at me.
You're not warmly enough dressed
for this kind Of thing" he remarked
Where's that gray rabbits fur, OF
whatever 1t ISL"
III you mean my chinchillas," said,
they're In their box. Chinchillas are
as delicate as babies and not near SO
plentiful. I'm warm enough"
You look it." He reached over and
caught one of my hands. Look at
thatl Blue nailsl It's about four de-
grees above zero here, and while the
rest are wrapped in furs and steam
er rugs, with hot water bottles at their
feet. you've got on a shawl III bet