Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-17

q SuSC VI q Cudplci eve, ahu
orable mention for Cleopatra and
Helen of Troy, and few more like
that, and the thing would be done.
But as l got into the subject, | was
fairly buried under new evidence.
Then Mr.. Carnegie came along and
gave Upper Asquewan Falls library
It's wonderful to think the great works
that man will be responsible for. I've
dedicated Women to him. Since the
new library, I've dug up information
about thousand disasters l never
dreamed of before, and contend that
If you go back ways in any one OF
EN-, you'll find the fluffy little lady
that started the whole rumpus. So
hunt the woman. I reckon the French
would call me the greatest cherchez
la femme in history"
"A fascinating pursuit" laughed
Mr.. Magee. I'm glad you've told me
about it. and shall watch the progress
Of the work with interest. Although
I cant say that entirely agree with
you Here and there is woman
who more than makes amends for
whatever trouble her sisters have
caused. One. for instance. with gold
en- hair. and eyes that when they
weep"
= you're Young interrupted the lit
tie man. rising. There amt no use
to debate it with you. I might as well
try to argue with q storm at sea. Some
men keep the illusion to the end Of
their days. and l hope you're one. |
reckon I'll start your fire."
He went into the outer room. and
Mr.. Magee lay for few moments list
ening to his preparation ahout the
fireplace. This YVES '"~,'ort, he
thought. And vet. something was
wrong Was il the growing feeling OF
emptiness inside? Undoubtedly. He
sat I'D in bed and leaning over. gazed
into the bermit's basket. The packages
he saw there made his feeling of
emptiness the more acute.
81 say, Mr.. Peters," he cried, leap
ing from the bed and running into the
other room, where the hermit was
persuading a faint blaze. 1--WE an idea.
You can cook, can't your ~,
Cook" repeated the hermit. "Well.
yes, I've had to learn a few things
about it, living far from the rathskel-
lars the way do"
1.-THE very man." reioiced Mr.. Ma
gee. "You must stay here and cook
for me--for u.s.
'~"'Us?" asked the hermit, staring.
Eyes. ] forgot to tell you. After
Mr.. Quimby left me last night, two
other amateur hermits hove In view.
One is a haberdasher with q broken
heart ....
woman" cried So the triumphant
Peters. .e.s
Name, Arabella." laughed Magee.
"'The others q college professor who
made an indiscreet remark about
blondes. You won't mind them, I'm
sure, and they may be a'le to help
you a\lot with your great work"
81 don't know what Quimby will
say studied the hermit. II reckon
he'll run EN- out. He's against this
thine-afraid Of fire"
"Quimby will come later" Mr.. Ma
gee assured him, drawing on a dress
ing-gown. Gust now the idea is a lit
tie water in yonder tub, and a nice
cheerful breakfast after It's going
to pay you lot better than selling
postcards to romatic ladies, promise
you. I won't take you away from
work for which the world is painting
without more than making it up to
YOU financially. Where do you stand
as a coffee maker?"
"Wait till you taste it, said Peters
reassuringly. I'll bring you up some
water"
He started for the door, but Mr..
Magee preceded him.
s'The haberdasher." he explained.
"sleeps below, and he's a nervous
man, He might commit the awful err
ror of shooting the only cook on
Baldpate Mountain
Mr.. Magee went out into the hall
and called from the depths the figure
Of Bland, fully attired in his fashy
garments. and looking tawdry and
tired in the morning light.
GIVE been up hours" he remarked.
Heard somebody knocking round the
kitchen, but amt seen any breakfast
brought in on a silver tray. My in
sides feels like the Mammoth Cave"
Mr.. Magee introduced the Hermit Of
Raldpate. H. ..-S ,
"Pleased to meet you" said Bland,
s'I guess it was you heard in the
kitchen. So you're going to cater to
LI1S SSiSCL lew, al you. bCAiC Q Liz,
you can't get on the Job any too soon
to suit me-" .r...
Out of nearby door stepped the
black-garbad figure of Professor
Thaddeus Bolton, and him Mr.. Magee
included in the presentation ceremon-
les. After the hermit had disappeared
below, 'burdened with his market bask-
ct and the supplies Mr.. Magee had
brought the night before. the three
amateurs at the hermit game gathered
by the fire in number seven, and Mr..
Bland spoke feelingly:
81 don't know where you picked
that, cook, but believe me, you get a
vote of thanks from yours truly. What
is he-an advertisement for hair
restorer?"
Hes hermit" explained Magee,
"and lives in a shack near the noun
tain-top. Hermits and BARRIERS aren't
supposed to mix. He's also an au-
thor, and is writing book in which he
lays all the trouble of the ages at the
feet of woman. Please treat him with
the respect all these dignified activ-
tiles demand"
"a writer, you say" commented