Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-13

eyes searching the duJdCSuC HTIuAm6u|
for the source of the yells. All he could
see was an umbrella placed on a fire
escape at the aforesaid elevation and
he could dimly descry beneath the UNI
brella a shape akin to that of a pa
poose.
Finally to cap the climax, while he
gazed at the Are escape, Datted the
bundle, turned 1t over adjusted the
umbrella and went away again. And
this she had done at intervals, but
the baby cried after = few moments
of peace. Therefore Fraser decided it
was distinctly up to him to Q that
the peace of the neighborhood was
kept undisturbed and n mother warn
ed that thinking people would not
stand such tactics.
He found the vestibule OF the apart
ment house which owned that partic-
ular fire escape. He had located it
with mathematical exactitude and
pressed the right button. The name
was Chalmers. Up the stairs he went
with firm and unfaltering step, and
] faced the door. 1t opened at his ring.
Yes, it was the same young woman,
too, only she appeared younger some
way. Her hair was rumpled and she
| wore q large apron. Also, she was
amazingly good to look upon at short
range.
How do you do?" began Fraser
! somewhat vaguely for a mar with a
mission in life. 1.-THE baby is er -
crying" ....,
shes teething."
1T is q ridiculous superstition TO say
such a thing. Babies, healthy, normal
babies, never object to teethlng. My
dear madam, I have listened to that
sound for the past hour -"
"rm so sorry" she interrupted feel
ingly and almost remorsefully. Il was
awfully busy and, you see, Elizabeth.
that's my sister - told me she must
be left out in the fresh air and not to
mind if she cried because normal chill
dren always cry a little bit, n it's
good for them. 1t exercises their
lungs"
do you mind If l come in just for a
moment" said Fraser eagerly. Il as.
sure you I'm not a book agent, but l
am very, very much interested In the
care and feeding and rearing Of chill
dren. In fact, I've got an order to
write a series of articles for a maya
zine on the subject -
Isn't that lovely!"- Her face fairly
kelowed with quick appreciation. DO,
please, come in. Wait . minute while
I get the baby. She is rather whoop-
ing It up a bit, isn't she?"
Fraser took a seat on the davenport
in the front room and waited. 1t really
seemed to be a very nice apartment
and furnished in very good taste. He
felt his wave of indignation subsiding.
BY the time the young woman had re
turned with the baby he even looked
at it appreciatively. Evidently 1t was
about six months old, a plump healthy
looking kiddie with large challenging
blue e and a provocative mouth.
isn't she a darling? She's really
got so much individuality, you know,
that she resents being alone out there.
I don't blame her a bit. Blessed angel
girl! Auntie's love lamb, disturbing
all the neighborhood with her crying"
whats her name?" asked Fraser
cautiously.
"Rosalind 49, the same as mine
"Rosalind, junior, the gentleman
from Avon who wrote once upon a
time of a lady yclept Rosalind also said
a sweet low voice is an excellent thing
In woman" He paused, but the baby
did not get the point at all. She lean
ed back against the elder Rosalind's
shoulder and acted shy and evasive.
aren't they really wonderful peo-
ple?" began Fraser again interestedly.
"You know, by Jove, I'm writing about
them, and l haven't studied them
closely at all. One is apt to rely too
much on scientific data, I'm afraid. in
stead of getting at the subject err
we'll, first hand, you know"
you're not married, them" with
Just the hint of q mischievous uplift
of her lashes.
mot yet" thoughtfully. I'm subject
to conviction, though, perfectly non.
partisan. But I have made quite a
study of child culture. You know, I
| believe absolutely in promoting indi-
vidualism in children. I don't believe
at all in this Froebel business, or even
the ordinary household method where
! the children are treated as little auto
nations, merely there on sufference.
| Children are royal guests" He smiled
at the baby placatingly. Little royal
guests of life at large"
But you don't like them on fire
escapes"
He looked at her with appreciation.
realizing that she did have a n of
humor and had rather got him there.
Its the concrete that rattles us,
isn't it," he began, when a key sound
ed in the outer door and some sixth
sense told him the baby's mother was
hahind him in the hall. "She'S such an