Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-25


such a lot of money now just before
Christmas, and so they didn't pay us
| up last month, and they haven't paid
anything this month. And we had tt
get COAL and feed, and Larkie's
teeth had to be fixed, and Carol was
sick, you remember. Seems to me
, Lark's teeth might have been put of
| until after Christmas, but Prudence
says not--And so there isn't any
money left, and | can't have coat
But Prudence and Fairy are making
me one-out Of an old coat of faith.
er's!"
Constance paused dramatically Mr.
Harold never even smiled. He just
nodded understandingly. 81 don't
think l could wear coat Of fathers
to church-it's cut down of course, but
there's something painful about the
idea l wouldn't expect father to wear
any of my clothes. You can see how
it is, Mr. Harold. Just imagine how
you would feel wearing your wife's
coat!-I don't think could listen to
the sermons. l don't believe I could
be thankful for the mercy Of wearing
fathers coat! I don't see anything
merciful about it. Do you?"
Mr.. Harold did not speak. He gazed
at Connie alphabetically and shook
his head.
ITS too much, that's what it is. And
so thought I'd just have to take
things into my own hands and borrow
the money. 1 can get a good coat for
five dollars. But if the bank is a little
short right now, can get along with
four, or even three. I'd rather have
the cheapest coat in town, than one
made out Of fathers. Do you think
you can let me have it,"
Yes, indeed we can" He seemed to
find his voice with an effort. "Of
course we can. We are very glad to
lend our money to responsible people.
We are proud to have your trade"
But must tell you, that it may
take me quite while to pay it back.
Father gives me a nickel a week, and
I generally spend it for candy. There's
another nickel, but 1t has to go in the
collection, so I can't really count that.
| don't believe father would let me
neglect the heather, even to pay for
a winter coat! But l will give you the
nickel every week, and at that rate
can pay 1t back in couple of years
easy enough. But I'd rather give the
nickels as fast as I get them. It's so
hard to keep money when you get
your hand on it, you know. Some
times I have quite a lot of money-as
much as q quarter at a time, from do
ing errands for the neighbors and
things like that. I'll pay you as fast
as l can. Will that be all right? And
the interest, too, of course. How
much will the interest be on five dol
lars?"
well, that depends on how soon you
repay the money Connie. But I'll fig
ure it out and tell you later"
"All right. l know l can trust you
not to cheat me, since you're trus-
tee. So won't worry about that
Mr.. Harold drew out bulky book
from his pocket and handed Connie a
crisp new bill. Her eyes sparkled as
she received it.
But, Connie,".h continued, Il feel
that l ought to give you this. We
Methodists have done a wicked thing
! in forgetting our November payments
and I will just give you this bill to
; make up for it,
But Connie shook her head decided
| ly. "Oh, no! III have to give it back,
then. Father would not stand that
not for one minute. Of course, par
sonage people get things given tC
them, quite lot. And it's a good
! thing, too, l must say! But we don't
hint for them, Mr.. Harold. That
wouldn't be right She held out the
bill toward him, with very manifest
reluctance.
Keep .it-well call it loan then
Connie" he said and you may pay
me back, five cents at time, just as
is most convenient
The four older, girls were at the
table when Connie arrived. She ex
hailed quiet satisfaction from every
pore Prudence glanced at her once
and then loked away again. She has
Eeconciled herself" she thought. Din
/. $ y . Ii