Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-02
III (Continued.)

'She won't understand; an I've tolc
her agyne and agyne," said Robbie ii
q tone of aggravation.
I'm goin' ter throw bomb at Car
rie Evans minister when l grow up.
said Verie in sing-song.
Cherlie had been holding Stepniak
up and pointing things out to him
Now she cried: Look. There's COW!
Look, Steppie! Look There's COW in
a field
The sight diverted the minds and
talk of the other anarchists from
bombs, and little by little. as it slid
deeper into the country. the car be-
came perfect babel. They were all
calling to one another at once to look
at this and look at that; and all at the
same time asking us questions about
what they saw Always there was
something fresh: and the eyes of the
anarchists grew bigger and bigger.
Miss Alice was charming with them.
She answered their questions, her
pretty eyes hunted the countryside for
things to point out to them. Her face
was glowing with pleasure at their
pleasure. did enjoy looking at 1t, and
helping her find fresh things for the
anarchists to admire.
But all the while her voice bothered
me. could have sworn that I had
heard it before; but for the life Of me,
could not remember when or where.
It was odd, too, that did not believe
that / had ever seen her face before.
I could not have forgotten it If I had:
for I never forget a pretty face; and I
can very soon recall when and where
have seen 1t before. 1t was certainly
strange that / should know her voice
and not her face.
Bushey and Watford gave the chill
dren rest from their excitement
Once in the streets again. they did not
trouble even to look about them. They
gave their eyes a rest; and they sat
back, telling one another again and
again of things they had seen.
In the middle Of it, Robbie said:
Whats yer nyme, gov'ner? We can
call Miss Alice by her'n: but we don't
know your'n to call yer by
hesitated moment; then l said:
my names Garth
Somehow couldn't say Lord Garth.
ovle It did not seem
to 70 at all with these children. Be-
sides. all my friends call me Garth:
and 1t Is MY business name. After all
I had come out to buy kitchen ranges
for Garth and Thurman.
When we came out of Watford into
the country again, the anarchists again
grew excited; and grew yet more
friendly with Miss Alice, helping her
to tell them things. We reached Chip.
perfield Common, all rather hot and out
of breath, though we had been sitting
still for nearly an hour. But when
once the anarchists were out of the
car, on the Common itself, among the
flowers and the pine trees, they just
went mad. Robbie and Verie ran round
us. in rings, screaming; and Cherlie
BUMPED up Id town, with her eyes
stal0 ling out Of her head. as she tried
to point out to the staring Stepniak
everything at once.
Look here. they're going mad!
What are we going to do with these
mad anarchists said to Miss Alice.
"They won't 60 mad. they're too
happy" she said, smiling at me.
well. it's your show, not mine. You
will take the responsibility" l said.
"Oh. no, no! It's your show. They
owe it to you. I could never have
given them anything like this" she
cried.
Not bit Of It, It's your idea alto
Kether. should never have dreamt OF
It. Therefore it's your show. And it's
awfully fine Of you to do this kind OF
thing"
zine? Why love it," she cried.
II expect you do love fine things
I said. -,
She turned away from my eyes with
Q little blush. I fancy / was looking
what thought of her.
"Cherlie, give Steppie to me. You
must want to run about with the 9TH
ers," she said.
She gave Steppie finger. and l gave
him another; and he toddled along be.
tween us like kind Of link.
How did you meet these anarchists!
I said.
II found them in the park one after
noon and then they came several times
to see me, and by degrees I've got to
know them quite we'll. They are such
nice children"
"And l suppose you have spent all
your pocket money on them ever
since?"
II. haven't enough to do anything
really for them" she said with sigh.
II can only give them treat now and
then-tea and cakes. The expedition
to Kews was quite out of the common
IA great affair. At least it would
have been, If it had come off. But this
IL much better-absolutely splendid
N'Have you many Of these proteges, :
or IRE these all?" I said.
There are two other lots OF small
have found in the park; but
they're not so poor as the Briggses and
not nearly 80 interesting"
THAT anarchist talk Is rather strong
though"
ooh, do you think so? Don't You
think it's very natural
for them? Why, even
when I |
think Of the wretched, poisonous life
these children lead II
feel I could be an anarchist myself"
And throw bombs?"I said.
Eyes; feel that I could she said |
quite seriously. There are thousands |
and thousands Of children like them
But, of course. you don't understand
= You haven't seen them |