Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-03

crOSS-Cut through the hickory grove
| about four miles out from town,
thought l would coast down the long
hill. Do you remember that hill, faith.
er? There was no one in sight, and no
animals, except one hoary old mule
grazing at the bottom. 1t was ire.
sistible, absolutely irresistible So
| coasted. But you know yourself faith.
or, there is no trusting a mule. They
are the most indispensable animals. "
Prudence looked thoughtfully down at
the bed for a moment, and added slow
ly, Still, I have no hard feelings
! against the mule. In fact, kind OF
like him.-Well, anyway, just as l got
to the critical place in the hill. that
! mule skipped right out In front Of me.
! 1t looked as though he did it on pur-
, pose. l did not have time to get out
Of his way, and it never occurred to
him to get out of mine, and so l went
Bang! right into him. And 1t broke
Matte Moores wheel and upset me
quite a little. But that mule never
budged! Jerry --er Harmer-Mr.
Harmer you know-said he believed
an earthquake could coast downhill
onto that mule without seriously in
conveniencing him. was hurt little
and couldn't get up. And SO he jump
ed over the fence-No, Connie, not the
mule, Of course Mr.. Harmer! He
jumped over the fence and put his
coat on the ground and made pillow
for me with the shirts and towels in
his bag and carried me over. Then
he wanted to 60 for 4 wagon to bring
me home, but I was too nervous and
scared, so he stayed with me. Then
Mr.. Davis came along with his cart,
and Jerry-er-Harmer, you know,
helped put me in, and the cart was so
small they both had to walk"
where is he now?' "Is he young?"
SIS he handsome?" did he look rich?'
Don't be silly, girls. He went to
the hotel, I suppose. Anyhow, he left
us as soon as we reached town. He
said he was in a hurry, and had some
thing to look after His coat was I'M
derneath me In the wagon, and he
wouldn't take it out for fear Of hurting
my ankle, so the poor soul is probably
wandering around this town in his
shirt sleeves"
Already, in the eyes Of the girls,
this Jerry-er-Harmer, had taken I'M
to himself all the interest Of the affair.
Hell have to come for his coat"
said Lark. We're bound to see him."
Where does he live? What was he
doing in the hickory grover" inquired
Mr. Starr with a strangely sinking
heart, for her eyes were alight with
new and wonderful radiance.
HE lives in, Des Moines He was
just walking into town and took a
short cut through the grove"
"Walking From Des Moines ?''
Prudence flushed uncomfortably II
didn't think of that" she said. But
do not see why he should not walk If
he likes. He's strong and athletic, and
fond of exercise. l guess he's plenty
able to walk if he wants to. I'm sure
he's no tramp, father, if that is what
you are thinking
81 am not thinking anything of the
kind, Prudence" he said with dignity.
But I do think it rather strange that
young man should set out to walk
from Des Moines to Mount Mark. And
why should he be at it so early in the
morning? Doesn't he require sleep, as
the rest Of us do?"
How should l know? guess If he
likes to be out in the morning when 1t
is fresh and sweet, it Is all right I
like the morning myself. He had as
much right out early as I had. His
clothes were nice and he is Harvard
graduate and his shoes were dusty but
not soiled or worn. Anyhow, he is
coming at o'clock. If you want to
ask if he is tramp, you can do it."
And Prudence burst into tears.
Dramatic silence in the cheerful sit
ting room! Then Fairy began bustling
about to battle the face and throat of
poor little Prudence" and her father
said sympathetically: '.>...
You're all nervous and wrought up,
with the pain and excitement, Pru-
dence. I'm glad he is coming so We
can thank him for his kindness. 1t
was mighty lucky he happened along,
wasn't it? A Harvard. GRADUATED Yes,