Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-28

ATe you busy tnlS aIt0rnOOn!''
There was a disturbed look in Mrs.
Sutners eyes as Olive Ellison, near
neighbor Of the Sutners, seated her in
the sunny living room.
Mr. Sutner has gone away with
Jack--it's his half holiday. Could
you spare time to talk to me? I feel
that l must have help II am to save
our lives from utter wreck. I have
no one to go to, no one to help me-"
Her under lip trembled as she spoke,
hut she bravely held it firm with her
teeth in a determined effort to control
herself.
I'VE will talk it all over Olive
drew her chair near her guest. You
may be sure what you tell mo- 10 drop
ped in well. Together We may md
n way out"
I'm the first place." began the wsm-
an, II married very young. was only
nineteen; child. had read lot Of
trash about love and marriages, and I
imagined life with John was to be ons
long dream Of bnss." She lasghed htA-
terly.
why are girls not prepared IN
some way for mAr71eEeT she burst
forth. II was q stenograpAers had
fifteen dollars 4 week with no board
to- pay. l spent all that On my
clothes"
IF mothers only had moro wisdom, =
said Olive sadly.
II met John and We were vso1sn1y
in love from the nrst. He seemed to
have plenty Of money to spend and 1t
never occurred to me 10 inquire about
his salary. I would have thought
that mercenary,> and I WAS marrying
for love alone.'" The mochng tome
distressed Olive.
Mother did say to me that ought
to learn something shout housskesp
ing before I married, but John said
cheerfully, oh, she'll learn" She
paused and wiped her eyes.
Poor babes In the woods, shs
continued sadly. s'1 can't understand
how people can sit and look on calm
ly and see young folks marry like
that. They set sail without chart or
compass and Of course the FIRST storm
utterly riddles the boat and neither
one knows whist to do.
II couldn't cook: Icouldn't sew;
/ couldn't save. We were out Of
money at the end Of the first month,
and have never had postage stamp
ahead since. Jack h four years old,
end the doctor who attended me has
never been paid. John sayB waste
things frightful1y, and Of course he's
right. He has been frantic over the
money question an these years and
he blames me for everything. He's
so cross It's like touching a wet
finger to hot iron to speak to him.
- 49, ANK
She gulped down sob.
Last night l said, If you'll give
me enough to hire Jack taken care
Of I'll leave you to yourself and earn
my own living.
Don't worry about Jack b
snapped. I'll never ask you to take
care of him, and don't think I'll ever
give him up. So go as soon as 1t
quits you, and the sooner the bet
ter
Don't repeat his speeches made
when he was beside himself with
nervous irritation. He didn't mean
that; he was sorry Ave minutes after
he had said it." Olives tone was
soothing.
Don't you think It'll" famed the
wife. "You have heard of the even
tempered woman who was mad all
The time, haven't you? Well, he's
like that"
II hope / know how to show .
proper spirit. No one is going to
run over me and have me sit tamely
by and take 1t. l give as good as he
sends, you may depend on that.
Mrs. Sutner tossed her head de-
family.
Gould you lend me cup of sugar.
Mrs. Ellson?'' Mrs. Sutner dropped
In a limp heap on chair by the
kitchen table and leaned her head on
her hand.
Certainly" Olive Ellison took tho
cup and went to the pantry to fill 1t.
"You don't feel well this morning,
do your" she asked sympathetically.
placing the sugar on the table.
ooh, I'm well enough, only I'm 50
discouraged IT'S like dragging heavy
chain to move"