Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-21
Partners
Rose Brooks.


Johnny Preston lay flat on his
stomach in the cool shade OF the Dig
oak-tree in front of his house. His
shining red head was buried in his
arms, and his bare toes dug into the
grass impatiently.
"No fun at ALL" his rebellious
thoughts said. Mother says I've got
to take care of that garden this whole
summer. It's always hot in that old
garden, and who likes to hoe and pull
weeds? want to 60 fishing. and
those beets aren't half weeded!"
Just then mother came out Of the
house, and, sitting down in a low
chair on the cool piazza, began to
shell peas. Plop, plop, they dropped
into the tin pan in her lap. Johnny
buried his head still deeper in his
arms. and kicked his brown legs
more rebelliously, but mother appar-
emily did not see him at ALL The
peas ratified steadily into the pan. and
to their accompaniment mother hum
med gay little song. Wouldn't she
ever notice how miserable he looked !?
Presently a fat green pea eluded
mothers nimble fingers. and with a
hop over the edge of the pan bounced
down the steps and landed In the
grass close to Johnny's ear, and q
tiny. piping voice said:
"Well, l didn't get eaten, did Z?
Though, since that's what I'm for, l
shouldn't have minded. But maybe
was meant to talk to you instead
What do you look so fretty about this
lovely summer day."
Johnny was too surprised to an
swer at once. He looked hard, and
there was the fat little pea looking
at him out of twinkly eyes, and speak
ing to him out Of smiling mouth.
Il want to 60 fishing" he managed
to say finally, land mother says
can't till l weed the beets. rye got
to take all the care Of that old gar
den all SUMMER" and again Johnnys
head burrowed into his arms, though
he did leave one eye uncovered, SO
he could peep. at that surprising fat
pea.
"Well, I nevert And don't you like
to weed us?" said Fat Pea In very
indignant little voice. 1--WE all do our
very best to grow, and we feel much
more comfortable when, we are weed
ed. and we breathe much better when
we are hoed around. and It's delicious
to have drinks of water when the sun
goes down. We do our part, and grow
Just as fast as we possibly can; and
we like to grow for you, and / should
think you would like to help us. We
can't move around, as you can, and
do things for ourselves. All we can
do Ia grow"
oh" gasped Johnny, feeling sud
denly ashamed to look into Fat Peas
indignant eyes. "I hadn't thought
about 1t that way. It's pretty hot out
in the sun, you know"
"Of course the sun is hot" went
on Fat Pea. not q whit notified. 1T
has to be hot to make US all grow.
Just think Of the millions and mill
lions of plants and trees that kind
warm sun makes grow all summer.
You can be his partner II you want
to, and you ought to love him as we
do He makes you grow, tool"
Does he?" Johnny's voice was all
"And why should be
his partner" Johnny's face was no
longer buried in his arms, but his
chin was propped in one brown hand.
and his gray eyes were brfmful Of in
terest.
"Well, that's better" approved Fat
Pea. "You don't look so fretty now
Johnny noticed with fascinated eyes
that when Fat Pea smiled, two deep
wrinkles stretched across his shiny
green forehead.
81 should think you'd feel the sun
was your partner, and the soft. comfy
earth where we sleep. and the sweet