Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-17
When Ellie Went
to Ride With
GRANDPA

| 'On, are you gong TO the post Of1lco,
Grandpa" cried Ellie. the very frst
| morning after she reached the parson-
age in Littleton for her summers visit.
May I go, too? May l. Grandpa7"
Run in and get your sunbonnet, E-
| lie, for I'm ready to CO." said Grandpa.
OF course she could go; that question
needed no answer. How could Grandpa
ever think Of going to town without q
little girl to hold the reins for him
mon. or to remind him that Grandma
wanted him to get oolong tea this time.
not just tear
| Rex was used to these trips back and
forth, and trotted as fast as though
Ellie was not whole year bigger than
last summer. And the high old fash
Toned buggy ratified just as noisily al
| ever.
1t was Tuesday morning, and Grand
pa didn't want to think about the SER
mon which he had preached on the
| Sabbath before, and he wasn't ready to
begin thinking about next Sabbath's
sermon quite yet. SO Ellie could talk all
she wanted to, and she and Grandpa
sang my days are gliding swiftly by"
weren't any houses along the road.
Grandpa pointed out to her the COM
pass plant, which would always tell her
which way was north, and showed her
| how all the tall sunflowers were saying
good morning to the sun.
Ellie was so glad that the post Office
had been moved three miles away from
the parsonage long before she was born.
though Grandma always said every
morning when they started off: ITS
just a shame you have to take that
long drive. We ought to have the post
office where 1t used to be-
When they stopped at the office, Ell
lie carefully held the reins while
Grandpa went in for the mall Rex
stood just as still as though he were
tied to hitching post. for there wasn't
even one green leaf or spear Of grass
within reach to tempt him.
Good morning, Ellie" said pleas
ant voice. Have you come back to
help your Grandpa drive, this sum-
mer?" And Deacon Templeton came up
holding out his hand to greet the little
but dropped ono rein and politely
shook hands with the old gentleman.
She almost wished she hadn't como
when Mr. Clark, who kept the store
where the post -office was, came out to
greet her; and she quite wished so
when the two young lady clerks and the
Professor who was buying some new
pencils. although school wasn't keeping,
all came out to say how -you-do.
We'll Ellie, what grade are you in
now" asked Professor Allen.
I'm in thc''-Ellie was saying, when
there came a funny little rush and
tumble right under the buggy seat. Out
scrambled Puck, Ellies little bantam
rooster, which lived with Grandpa be-
cause Ellie had to live in the city and
could not keep bantams or rabbits or
any Of the delightful pets which she 80
much wanted. Up the little fellow hop-
ped right to the dashboard, and out
anne Pam, his demure little mate, and
hoped Up beside him. Pam kept quito
STILL but Puck began cackiing his loud
est right into the Professors face, then
crowed joyously to the whole crowd He
kept on Growing and cacklins until
Grandpa came hurrying out to see what
was happening.
"Ha! ha! hal" he laughed, and the
whole group began to laugh too. This
time Ellie quite forgot the reins. She
climbed down and looked behind the
) leather curtain Of the seat
20 Grandpa" she cried. 20 Grandpa!
See here! Pam has laid an egg tight
under the seat!" And she triumphantly
! brought out little white egg which
! had caused all the commotion.
Wasn't that dear Of her! Pam laid
it right under the seat, Grandpa
! right under the seat while we were
riding" Ellie beamed upon the crowd.
IT knew you were kind hearted
man, Mr.. Mason; but didn't suppose
you would carry your kindness so far as
to take your poultry out for pleasure
) drives"
"Oh, Professor Allen" explained Ell
; lie. they stole the nest, you know. We
didn't know they were there-reaMy we
!, didn't"
On the way home Grandpa had to
drive, for Ellie carried Puck under one
arm and Pam under the other, while In
one hand she kept carefully the little
white egg.
Grandpa. this is the funniest and
incest drive ever had" said Ellie when
, she was lifted down from the buggy,
with her pets: but I think next time
we'd better look under the buggy seat
before we start, don't your"
Beryl Ellwell Visits His
Aunt Who Lives In