Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-05
PRUDENCE
OF THE PARSONAGE
THE FAMOUS STORY OFAHApPY FAMILY
By zbe/Hzzeskou
ETA. BY THxB osssME. Co


coat?"
mo, l didn't. l saw this one in a
window this morning and couldn't re-
sist it. Was the ride very hard on
your ankle?"
Mr.. Starr was puzzled. Evidently
it was not lack of funds which brought
this man on foot from Des Moines to
Mount Mark-half way across the
state! He did not look like a man fee
ing from justice. What, then, was the
explanation?
You must have found it rather a
long walk" he began tentatively, his
:, eyes on the young mans face.
yes, I think my feet are a little
blistered. I have walked farther than
. that many times, but am out Of prac-
tice now. Sometimes, however, walk
ing is a painful necessity" II
How long did it take you coming
from Des Moines to Mount Mark?"
inquired Carol in a subdued and re.
spectful voice-and curious, withal.
II did not come directly to Mount
Mark. stopped several places on
business. I hardly know how long it
would take coming straight through.
1t would depend on ones luck, sup
pose."
WELL" said Lark, taking it little
at time it might be done, but for my
self, should never dream of undertake
ing so much exercise"
Gould you walk from here to Bur
lington at one stretch?" asked Connie
He looked rather surprised why,
perhaps l could If l was in shape. but
Ill 0,,$
this morning.
well, think it was mighty brave
of you to walk that far-I don't care
why you did it, announced Connie
with emphasis.
"Brave!" he repeated. II have walk
ed three times seven miles, often,
when 1 was in school,"
"Oh, mean the whole thing-clear
from Des Moines," explained Connie.
From Des Moines,' he gasped
Good heavens! I did not walk from
Des Moines! Did YOU" He turned
to Prudence questioningly. did you
think l walked clear from Des
Moines?"
Yes" And added hastily, But
did not care If you did. 1t did not
make any difference how you came"
For moment he was puzzled. Then
he burst out laughing. Il am afraid
we had too much to talk about this
morning. I thought I had explained
my situation, but evidently I did not
l drove from Des Moines in the car,
and"
THE automobile!" gasped Carol.
with triumphant look at Lark
3,,ot ~t@
places on business as l came through.
l drove from Burlington this morning
but I got off the road. The car broke
down on me and l couldn't fix it
broke an axle. So had to walk in.
This is what was seeing about today
sending a man out for the car and
arranging about the repairs" He
smiled again. What in the world did
you think I would walk from Des
Moines for?" he asked Prudence, more
inquisitive than grammatical
Il did not think anything about it
until they asked, and-I did not know
about the car. You did not mention
it."
"No. l remember now. We were
talking Of other things all the time"
He turned frankly to Mr. Starr Per.
haps you have heard of the Harmer
Automobile company of Des Moines.
My father was Harvey Harmer. Two
years ago, when l was running around
in Europe. he died. 1t was his desire
that I should personally take charge
Of the business. So ] hurried home
and have had charge of the company
since then. We are esta blishing sales
agencies here, and in Burlington, and
several other towns. 1 came out for
a little trip, and took advantage Of the
opportunity to discuss the business
with our new men, That's what
brought me to Mount Mark" To Con-
ME he added laughingly, $50 I must
sacrifice myself, and do without your
praise. l did not walk until the car
broke down and compelled me to do
So"