Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-22
Euening Story
THE TEA HOUSE.
BY Fanny Gray.

(COpyrlSnt, 1910, ny INC mCCluio
Newspaper Syndicate.)
Lucy Cutler was helping her mother
finish the Saturday cleaning and bak-
Ing, and was rebelling in her soul. Not
that she so particularly dislikedN the
work itself, but the thought that she
had to do that kind of thing day after
day, with not even maid servant
| wage, stirred her to anger. Her father
a prosperous farmer, could we'll anord
to pay for it. as she knew, yet he
seemed to think it was the natural and
! proper thing for herself and her
along, week after week, satisfied with
an occasional small sum with which to
buy necessities
She had been out of high school
two years, and during that time had
urged upon her father to let her learn
some trade or take some kind of posi-
ton; or, if not willing for that, at
least to pay her regular wages for
work in the home. But father was not
modern in his ideas, and couldn't see
why Lucy shouldn't be contented as
| she was. ~ ,.. .....- ...
Today she was feeling bit more un-
happy than usual over the situation, as
school friend who had become
stencgrapher, had passed the house,
bound on some Saturday afternoon
pleasure, her new suit and stylish hat
proclaiming her an independent Garner
and spender.
When Lucy finished her work, she
started to walk rather aimlessly down
the road to rest and cool off. Her
father had just acquired through
foreclosure, a piece Of property OF
about two acres adjoining his land, on
which was picturesque little cottage.
AS she reached a place in the road op-
posite the new property, she stopped
to admire the tiny house and the old
fashioned flowers bordering the walk,
| as we'll as the climbing roses over the
porch. 81. 80.
/ Just then Fred Emerson came along
and the two stood there together. Fred
was hustling young chap, with quite
bank account already. He had for
some time been casting longing CLAN
ces in Lucy's direction, but, being
somewhat bashful, he had not pro-
crossed very far in his wooing.
Now. as they viewed together the
snug bit of land and the house, with
the "For Sale" sign against the stone
such a home rushed into his mind and
he wanted to give expression to It,;
but all he found himself saying was
that it made him think of the little tea
house some women opened the summer
! before in Riverside.
/ An idea flashed through Lucys mind
AS soon as Fred went on, she rushed
back to the farmhouse and found her
mother.
| Mother, what's father going to do
with the Clapp house?"
|. "Why, nothing this year that know
| of. OF course, he wants to sell it,
"Would he let me use the cottage, do
! you think mother?"
use the cottage! For the lands
sake. child what for?"
I "Well, I've got an idea. You remem.
! Der when visited Aunt Carrie last
/ summer in Riverside? Some women
set up tea house not half so pretty as
the Clapp place and sold tea and things
| to motorists over there, and Aunt Car
i RE said they made lot Of money
| could make more here because it's on
the state road"
| "Yes, I heard about Them answer.
ed her mother. But thos, women had
a tea room in the CITY and knew all
about running one. You couldn't do
!; It."
! But mother, wouldn't try to do
as much as thew did. We could Just
I have tea and little biscuits and jam
and perhaps cake Do you think faith
er would let me try?''
] II don't know Lucy, I'm sure"
| "You help persuade him. mother,
won't you? won't neglect the house.
lit will only be afternoons when we
once get started sasss
1t took cons4dfA BILE persuasion 20
make Farmer Cutler give his consent
But. with mother on Lucy's side and
! Florence all eagerness, he finally gave
In reluctantly.
: Its fool business, anyhow was his