Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-11-19
Evening Story
UNCLE JARVIS TRlP.
copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)

"ro think. Elsie Foster beloved
Uncle Jarvis. that should nave al
niece who is a coward
The girl raised timid brown eyes 10
the angry ones that glared at her from
under bristling white brows. The req Oh
Uncle Jarvis face deepened to purpie
with his indignation. q
''For the two months you have been
at Donnybrook ! have tried TO Hiaht
YOU into some kind of a sport, pu'
there's nothing you're not scared TO 90
when 7 sent for you to come up mere
planned to make you my heir sup
posed that a girl with drop or my
: blood in her veins would nave soLle
courage. but I'm not going to leave NY
money to 'fraid cat.
VERY well, Uncle Jarvis SAID Elsie
quietly, you can leave your nlouey
where YOU choose but your only SISTER
ought to have enough of 1t to keep ner
in comfort You know very well motn
err and l haven't a cent except What
earn" .,,
"But If there was one sporty thlnS
you weren't afraid to do-just one:
muttered the old man as he lapsed INTO
an angry reverie.
: E-,,rtiyeIy his niece wiped away
tear. then glanced into the mirror TO
sec if it had left any traces me
charming reflection restored her ECU
animity If was comfort to kno" tilil
she was not failure in every parucu,
lar. A newspaper lay on the ta5le anu
| an item caught her eye. With breath-
less interest she read it. Suddenly she
Jumped to her feet with an inspiration;
| "JJpcle Jarvis she cried Would
YOU dare go up in a balloon!
He snorted scornfully. "Of course
I'd dare to do anything, but l Wouidn
! like to risk myself in one OF ta ao
lriXy if1O
Would you--do you think II Wouiu
show I had some courage if | dared
venture in a balloon? There's to be an
ascension from the Greensbur5 Aero
club grounds tomorrow
What! YOU'D never have nerve
enough to do it," The increduiity III
Uncle Jarvis belligerent old eyes
changed to something like respect as ne
saw her look of determination.
She was firm Il will do it, if you'll
make the ascension with me. OF course,
I couldn't go alone. You said you dared
/ to do anything" she added slyly.
"By jove Elsie if you are Sport
enough for that, I'm sport enough "
see YOU through He spoke emphatic
| allv and rushed off to telephone the
| Aero club, and offer any sum IN pas
sage money for his niece and himself.
| The next afternoon a crowd gathereu
at the Greensburg Aero club grounds TO
| witness the ascension. A space hau
| been roped off, and into this Uncle Jar,
| Wis and Uncle Jarvis friends troopeu
noisily and sat down on the benches IN
| the shadow of the great balloon. From
i behind her veil Elsie watched the en-
| trance to the Enclosure. AS time passed.
and no one joined the group on the
| benches, her face grew Wlstful. When-
ever she glanced fearfully toward the
monster tugging at the ropes hel
|
little tan shoes. She felt her courage
| of the morning evaporating, though her
determination still remained.
| Meanwhile Uncle Jarvis himself had
become strangely silent. He had
ceased to buster or to swear; he sat IN
| a depressed attitude. Elsie glanced at
him. His brick-red complexion had
! paled to sickly hue, strange express
! sion dulled his fierce old eyes. his
! niece, suffering from the same malady,
| diagnosed the case The surprising dis
coyery cheered her beyond words, and
she actually smiled Her own fears
vanished, replaced by cheerful cour-
| age.
The hour for the ascension had ar
rived. The gasbag of the cage was
now inflated; the car, looking danger
ously small, was already attached to
the collar The spectators gazed IN
GREATNESS expectancy.
! GRAY. the aeronaut, came over TO the
+, benches and explained to his passep'
| gers: Everything is ready. We. are
only waiting for Mr.. Compton of the
Boston Clarion. Oh, there he comes
now he added, as tall imperious-
looking young man came striding INTO
the Enclosure Hastily introducing the
newcomer, Gray hurried away.
"Elsie!" exclaimed Compton with
look of amazement.
She blushed wildly as she turned to
Uncle Jarvis in explanation. Mr.
Compton and I are old friends, uncle,
though we haven't met for some time.
Gray had vaulted into the car anu