Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-04-03
The Little Towns
Fountain
BY Rose Brooks.

BY Rose Brooks.
On warm summer day Gordon
Hunter sat on the front seat Of the
new automobile, which his mother
drove SO happily. and the two chatted
contentedly as the low, shining car
slid quietly under the cool, over
hanging elms that lined tie winding
street of the pleasant suburb.
Let's keep in the shade" said Mrs.
Hunter, land just ride anywhere
where we can keep cool, till we hear
the train whistle; then Wen fly for the
station, for Daddy. Shall we?"
I'm pretty thirsty answered Cor
don. III tell you lets drive down
to the fountain by the town hall, and
I'll get drink-and then we can
watch the horses. l love to-
"All right agreed his mother, as
she turned the car and headed it tor
the main street of the little town.
In front Of the town hall was large
elm, casting an oasis of shade in the
long block of glazing pavement.
We'll be out of the way of the
teams. here Mrs. Hunter said as she
drew the car close to the curb, land
we'll sit in the shade and watch the
horses till the train comes"
Gordon jumped out and put his
mouth over the bubbling stream of wa
ter in the square compartment of the
stone fountain reserved for thirsty
people. A little stone frog carved on
the edge of the fountain rim seemed
almost, from his expression, to share
Gordon's satisfaction in his cool drink.
Lower down were two compartments,
also with ever-bubbling, fresh, cool wa
ter for tired, hot, thirsty dogs, and
even as Gordon drank, thirsty little
terrier, dusty of face, and with his red
tongue hanging out, trotted across the
town hall, straight for the cool water.
Good, isn't it?" said Gordon, giving
the dusty little dog friendly pat.
my, l feel better!" he sighed as he
climbed in again by his mother. Il
know just how horse feels when
he comes up to that fountain and
sticks his nose in for drink-or
tired little dog. Suppose it feels the
same, doesn't it, mother, if you are a
boy or beast?''
Il suppose it does" smiled his
mother. See, here comes a team Of
horses, pulling that heavy load of lum-
ber." The great horses tugged with
eutstretched necks as they saw the
water, and, coming up to the fountain,
thrust their dusty noses deep in the
bubbling pools. Noisily they sucked in
long swallows, till finally, with salts
fed eyes, they lifted dripping noses
and clanked their cooled bits comfort
ably before starting again on their
patient way. BY this time, three other
horses were awaiting their turns
one driving horse with shining coat
and daintily lifted feet, who shifted
daintily at each of the three bubbling
pools before deciding out of which one
to take fastidious drink. Next came
| a fat old rogue of grocery horse,
who drank greedily and noisily, then
with loose, Tapping lips tried to play
| in the water, in order that he might
stand still and enjoy the shade.
Come on Captain! You know
you've finished, you old rascal" called
the grocery boy; and comfortable old
Captain moved lazily out into the glare
of the hot, paved street. loath to take
up his amending rounds.
More horses, more little painting
dogs, more tired men, more warm,
romping children-al stopped thank
fully in the shade of the old elm, drank
IAl ~ %4, yny1$ haiY>
ways refreshed.
Gordon was fascinated, as always,
and Mrs. Hunters eyes were soft and
happy.
'Who gave this town the fountain,
mother?" suddenly asked Gordon.
Don't you know, dear? The old
man who lives on the slope, next to
the Town Hall. He can see the foun-
tain from HIS windows. Sometimes
I've seen him standing at that long
window, watching the many drinkers,
who are always enjoying his gift to
them"
'Is he nice. mother?"
Don't you think he must be good
man, Gordon, to have thought of CIV
ing cool drinks to SO many people, be-
sides all the tired little dogs, and pa
tient, Woodworking horses? Just to
have thought to have cool water where
any thirsty creature in this warm,
dusty town knows where to find 1t
seems not a little thing to me. Think
how many times you run here for
drink. Then think of all the other
little boys who come. besides the nev.
er-ending procession of animals"
"Td never thought about his being
kind" admitted Gordon "I've just al
ways been glad to get drink. How
do you suppose he knew how it felt
to be so thirsty-so thirsty that he
didn't want other people to get thirs-
ty?" the boys inquisitive mind prob
ed
81 don't know that" smiled Mrs.
Hunter. Maybe he was once min
er in one of the western deserts,
where water is the chiefest treasure,
or perhaps Just out of kind heart
~ 4houoht pf this cimD1e but very