Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-06
THE FAMOUS STORY OLA HAPPY EA]
.u Ebe/Azeskoz


didn't nave to exchange christmas
presents with all the friends" who
witnessed her arrivals and departures
at the station. Mount Mark is very
respectable town, be it understood.
and girls do not go to the station
without an excuse!
The Adams express wagon was
drawn close to the track, and the
agent was rushing about with breath
less energy which seemed all out OF
proportion to his accomplishments
The telegraph operator was gazing
earnestly out Of his open window, and
his hands were busily moving papers
from one pigeon hole to another and
back. again. Old Harvey Reel, who
drove the hotel bus, was discussing
politics with the man who kept the
restaurant, and the baggage master,
superior and supremacy dirty, was
checking baggage with his almost I'M
endurably lordly air.
This was one Of the four daily re-
juvenations that gladdened the heart
Of Mount Mark.
A man in a black business >suit
stood alone on the platform, his hands
in his pockets, his eyes wandering
from one to another Of tho strange
faces about him. His plain white
ready-made tie proclaimed his calling.
ITS the new Methodist preacher"
volunteered the baggage master, cross
ing the platform, ostensibly on busi-
ness bound, but really to see who
all" was there. II know him. He's
not bad sort"
"They say he's got five kids and
most Of EN- girls" responded the
Adams express man. "I've ordered
me dress suit to pay my respects In
when they get here. want to be on
hand early to pick me out a girl"
"Yah," Knocked the telegraph oper-
ator. bobbing his head through the
window, you need to. They tell me
every girl in Mount Mark has turned
you down already"
But the Methodist minister, gazing
away down the track where thin
curl of smoke announced the coming
of No. 8, and Prudence-heard moth
ing Of this conversation. He was not
a handsome man. His hair was gray
at the temples, his face was earnest,
only saver from severity by the little
clusters Of lines at his eyes and mouth
often and with relish. =
Train going east"
The minister stood back from the
crowd, but when the train came pound
ing in brightness leaped into his
eyes that entirely changed the express
sion of his face. A slender girl stood
in the vestibule, leaning dangerously
outward, and waving wildly at him
a small gloved hand. When the train
stopped she leaped lightly from the
steps, ignoring the stool placed for
her feet by the conductor.
"Fhther!" she cried excitedly and
small and slight as she was, she el-
bowed her way swiftly through the
gaping crowd. "Oh, father!" And she
flung her arms about him joyously, I'M
conscious of the admiring eyes of the
Adams express man, and the telegraph
operator and old Harvey Reel whose
eyes were always admiring when girls
passed by. She did not even observe
that the Slaughterhouse quartet look
ed at her unanimously. with languid
interest from out the wreaths OF
smoke they had created.
Her father kissed her warmly.
Where is your baggage?" he asked,
q hand held out to relieve her.
"Here!" And with radiant smile
she thrust upon him a box of candy
and gaudy-coyered magazine.
your suit CASE" he explained pa
tiently.
"Oh!' she gasped Run, father,
run! / left it on the train!"
Father did run but Prudence, feeter
footed, outdistanced him and clamb-
cred on board, painting.
When she rejoined her father her
face was flushed "Oh, father" she
said quite snappily, isn't that just
like me?" ....... ~ ....a.. -.
Eyes. very like" he agreed, and he
smiled. where is your UMBRELLA
Prudence stopped abruptly, II don't
knnx . she. said with n stony face ~