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

q ~
ner was half over before Constance
burst her bomb. She had intended
waiting until they were quite through
but it was more than flesh and bloot
could keep!
Are you going to be busy this after
noon, Prudence?' she asked quietly.
I'VE are going to sew little,' sale
Prudence. "Why?"
Il wanted you to go down town witt
me after school,
well, perhaps l can do that. Fairy
will be able to finish the coat alone.
"You needn't finish the coat! can
wear fathers coat to church, Pru
dence. It's Ats a-physical impos
sibility." ....
The twins laughed, Fairy smiled
but Prudence gazed at "the baby
with tender pity. s--,
I'm so sorry, dearest, but we
haven't the money to buy one now"
will five dollars be enough" in
CURED Connie, and she placed he1
crisp new bill beside her plate. The
twins gasped. They gazed at Connie
with new respect. They were just
wishing they could handle five dollar
bills so recklessly.
Twill you loan me twenty dollars
until after Christmas, CONNER" quer'
led Fairy
But Prudence asked, where did
you get this money, Connie?"
Il borrowed 1t from the bank
Connie replied with proper gravity
Il have two years to pay 1t back. Mr.
Harold says they are proud to have
my trade"
Prudence was silent for several
long seconds. Then she inquired in
a low voice, did you tell him why
you wanted it,"
Eyes, l explained the whole situa-
ton"
What did he say"
He said he knew just how I felt
because he knew he couldn't 60 to
church in his wtfe's coat.-No, said
that. myself, but he agreed with me.
He did not say very much, but he
looked sympathetic. He said he an
ticipated great pleasure in seeing me
in my new coat at church next Sun
day"
go on with your luncheon, twins"
said Prudence sternly. You'll be late
to school.-We'n see about going
down town when you get home to-
night, Connie. Now, eat your lunch
con and don't talk about costs any
more"
When Connie had gone back to
school, Prudence went straight to Mr..
Harold's bank. Flushed and embar-
rassed, she explained the situation
frankly. my sympathies are all
with Connie" she said candidly. But
am afraid father would not like it.
We are dead set against borrowing.
After-our mother was taken, we were
crowded pretty close for, money. So
we had to 60 in debt. 1t took us two
years to get it paid, Father and Fairy
and I talked it over then and decided
we would starve rather than borrow
again. Even the twins understood it,
but Connie was too little. She doesn't
know how heartbreaking it is to keep
handing over every cent for debt,
when one Is just yearning for other
things.-I do wish she might have the
coat, but I'm afraid father would not
like it. She gave me the five dollars
for safekeeping and have brought it
back ,~ 7... Oh, - ..-p ,r
Mr.. Harold shook his head mo,
Connie must have her coat. ., This will
be a good lesson for, her. 1t will teach
her the bitterness Of living under debt!
Besides, Prudence, I think in my heart
that she is right this time. This is a
case where borrowing is justified. Get
her the coat and I'll square the &C
count with your father" Then he
added, And I'll look after this salary
business myself after this. I'll ar.
arrange with the trustees that I am to
pay your father his full salary the first
of every month and that the church
receipts are to be turned in to me. And
if they do not pay up, my lawyer can
do little Investigating! Little Connie
earned that five dollars, for she taught
one trustee a sorry lesson. And he
will have to pass it on to the others
in self defense! Now, run along and
get the coat, and if five dollars ISM
enough you can have as much more
as you need. Your father will get his
salary after this, my dear, if we have
to mortgage the parsonage!'