Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-25
he Fate of Don

20 mamsey. mamsey," exclaimed
little Fanny, running to her mother
with an apronful Of eggs, "Biddy
Blackfoot stole her nest in the rocky
canon, and here are ten eggs. Can't
we sell them to help keep DOM"
The mother patted the cheeks Of
her little seven-year-old daughter and
quietly took the eggs and put them
away just as her other two children,
William and Alice, the ten-year-old
twins, came rushing in.
30 mother, we have thought of a
way to earn money to save poor DOn,"
breathlessly called William, and with
much excitement, and both children
speaking at once, they told her of their
new formed plan. Mrs. Weston was
an indulgent mother so she did not
discourage them, and that night pas
sersby who took notice saw rudely
printed placard on the gate at the
roadside, which bore this inscription:
Flowers and Fresh Bread For Sale"
Two years before, Mr.. Weston had
been killed in an accident, and since
then the mother and little ones had
struggled bravely to make a living.
Their home was a little log cabin in
the Salmon river canon in Idaho. The
ranch extended back into the foothills,
where there was ample pasture for
stock, but the rich bottom land on the
river was limited to few acres. How
ever, by careful economy, Mrs. Wes-
ton had been able to keep her little
flock clothed and fed, and as this
year gave every promise of a bounti-
full harvest, the Westons had pur-
chased fine Jersey cow and had sue
ceeded in paying for her, all but ten
dollars. That last payment would be
due in two weeks. With the fine gar
den back of the house and the good
hay crop in the meadow, Mr.. Brown
might feel sure that he would get the
remainder of his pay before the sum-
mer was over, but he was not a man
to wait for his money. Moreover, he
had offered to square the account by
taking Don, their beautiful two-year-
old collie. Mrs. Weston, although very
fond of their faithful dog, having
reared him from puppyhood, had de-
cided that, as they had no sheep for
him to care for, they must part with
him rather than lose their COW and
they money they had already paid for
her.
That night the three children went |
out and looked over the row of rose
bushes, which were now laden with
beautiful blossoms. Hope is strong |
IN early years and although the mother
knew quite we'll that the many tour
lists who daily motored by would not
be interested in buying flowers, yet
she could not discourage the effort
Of these little children. AS to the
bread, she had agreed to keep some
fresh loaves always on hand for the
next two weeks, and had promised the
children that whatever they received
from the sale of the bread they might
ay aside to pay Mr.. Brown.
The days passed quickly, and al
'eady ten days of the two weeks were
gone. Only ninety cents had been TAX
IN in for bread and not cent for
flowers. Anxious little heads huddled
,ogether every evening, while Don
IAN in and out, capering and barking,
seeming not to realize the trouble in
he household, although he had been
,old many times.
The morning Of the thirteenth day
1awned clear and bright, but there
was no sunshine in the little faces
that met at the breakfast table. To-
if the ten dollars could not
be paid to Mr.. Brown, he was to take
Don-Don, who had been such jolly
and such protector-oh,
it was too dreadful to think. about!
The breakfast was hurriedly fin
shed, for Mrs. Weston had promised
to go to care for sick neighbor
through the day. She had just taken
out of the oven six delicately Drowned
oaves of bread; then after advising
the children to be careful of fires and
10 remain near the house she departed.
The children ran to the garden and
picked dishful of respberries, and
hen tidied the kitchen and. washed
The dishes. At noon they ate their
luncheon, and then the three sat down
n the doorway, sad and lonely little
,rouu, while Don ran hither and thith-
er, chasing rabbits and birds.
another auto coming" declared
"Wish it would stop here
md we could sell some bread"
Huh said wise little Alice, "you
couldn't sell nine dollars worth
While they we're discussing the mat
er, the car drew nearer and came to
IN abrupt stop. Looking at the sign
IN the gate, the man jumped out Of
he car and ran up the hill to the
louse.
HELL" children!" he called. where
S your mother? Do you think she
would give some hungry travellers a
,ite to eat?"
Alice arose, and with all the dignity I
he could assume told him that their
mother would not be home until 6
o'clock, but that perhaps they might
1--WE them something to eat, If they
we're not too particular. a..
mot bit Of it," laughed Mr.. Eaton.
My wife and little crippled daugh-
er are weary and hungry. so (glancing :.
nto the clean little kitchen) if you +;
will permit it, we will drive in"
Half an hour later. Mr.. and Mrs.
eaton and their daughter Celeste were '
Gated at the table, on which was a