Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-08
Copyright, The Bobss-Merrill Company.


thing about them Mrs. Todd keeps
saying she is going to send to the city
for a man, but she never does, some
how. Amt hardly any need Of her
doing it," he added. "She gets auto
rides enough as it is"
THAT so? Let's have look at
them" a
Thomas had no objections to show
ing everything about the villages one
big place to anybody who wished to
see it, and led Algernon at once to the
garage.
I'VE keep the place clean, but that
Is about all We can do" he explained.
Algernon nodded and inspected the
four machines he knew SO well, while
an idea, fantastic, persistent, anus
ing, came into his head and stayed
there, growing more and more def
mite and more and more pleasing.
Mama" he thought, has always said
that she wished I would work. even
if it were at the bottom of the ladder.
Then, too, what would be the use of
my living up at the big house all
alone? Mama won't be here for a
month yet at the earliest, and Molly
would hardly feel like staying II ex-
planned just where and when she and
I have met before. 1t is clear that
she doesn't recognize me, and Pat,
the only one besides mama who would
upset my fun, is In the city. have
turned over new leaf and am going
to work for my board. Jove, haven't
had such a pleasant summer for a
decade!"
Guess you don't often have ride
in one of them, eh?" chuckled Thomas,
poking Algernon in the ribs.
Algernon winked Huh, who would
want to ride when they can walk?" he
asked
Thomas laughed and slapped Alger-
non on the back. Same here. You
never know when the darned things
are going to blow up. You go out In
one of them things, and it's dollars to
doughnuts you walk home. When l
go out to ride, don't want to have
to walk"
mo one does" agreed Algernon.
They went out and Algernon seated
himself deliberately on bench beside
"You hang around as long as you
want said Thomas generously.
There's plenty here for dozen more
like you.."3' "a
Y Thanks awfully," drawled Algernon
and Thomas, hesitating moment,
,loath to leave entertaining company,
felt the force of duty pulling him away
and departed.
It was a beautiful day, clear and
cool after the storm Of the night be-
fore Great white clouds drifted by
overhead, and through the trees one
could see the ocean, blue and dancing
in the sunlight. A white-winged sail
boat was beating up against tho breeze
now scudding along the crest of
swell, now almost disappearing In the
trough. A motor-boat passed and the
painting of it's engines could be dis
tinctly heard. The sea-guils swooped
by in long airy fights, and the bell
buoy he a laugh beenath its tears.
From the stable came the tramp and
whinnying of horses, the chatter OF
the grooms and the splash Of water as
the boy cleaned the carriages. A cat,
curled up on the bench beside Alger-
non, purred loudly and contentedly.
The yaller, pup, having been kindly
tolerated by the high-bred dogs of the
place, and beginning to feel tim1dly at
home. dozed at Algernon's feet in the
sunshine, arousing himself now and
then to snap at the fleas, and falling
back with a grunt Of satisfaction.
After while, Algernon rose, stretch
ed and made his way to the garage.
Thomas. returning about noon-time,
stared in surprise at the empty bench,
expecting to find the stranger peace
fully asleep in the drowsy warmth OF
midday, for no one about the place
had seen him leave, and in the country
strangers every step is marked by
some one and commented on.
."Hullo' he called. looking around.
"Whcre are you? Hi. what are you
doing there?" as he caught sight of Al
gerncn through the open door Of the
garage. Here, you don't want to
y, orkey with them machines. Hi,
stop"
Algernon Strengthened up. wiping his
face on his sleeve. 1t was growing
warmer as the day advanced and he
had beer working for the last two
hours about as hard as he had ever
done in his life. The perspiration
rolled down his face and mingled with
the streaks of oil and grease that ad.
orned his countenance.
Gosh, I'm hot" said he.
Come out Of that" commanded
Thomas. fear and authority In his
voice. MRS. Todd won't want you
monkeying with her machines"
ooh, shucks!" returned Algernon
carelessly. and nearly disappeared
from sight under one Of them.
''Hold on there" Quavered Thomas.
Mrs. Todd is coming, you fool Come
OUT"
Algerncn only grl rted from be-
meath the machine. Thomas stopped
to grab him by the leg and drag him
out by main force, when Molly O'Toole
appeared in the doorway.
Good morning." said she. who's
that Thomas? One Of the grooms
drunk again? You want to keep them
out of the garage, told you. can't
have them fussing with tho cars.
Algcrnon cquirmed out and bowed
gaily, like an old friend. His sleeves
49,