Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-06-08
by LIZZIE b

y
as his father was preparing for church.
eyes, yes, mother; why not2" said
Mr.. B. "He's old enough, I'm sure"
eyes, mamma, Pm real old this
summer" the bright-eyed darling
pleaded, "and papa said was little
man yesterday when / fell off that big
pile Of boards and did not cry"
"But, my dear, said Mrs. b.,
"don't you remember what naughty
boy you were when ! took you with me
ou1e last spring. What little man was
it who denied the pew with his boots
and called the chickens during the ser
mon"
''But ] was only three then, mamma,
and I'm four now, and wear real boots
and have pockets like any man. |
guess boy With such things can behave
well in church," urged Ralph
"Well you may go to-day" con-
cluded Mrs. b., "but you must sit
very still and hear how many nice
things the minister will say
SO our darling went to metin' III the
family wagon, drawn by moderate, Sc
dato old ODDLY" and Ralph held the
reins tightly in his chubby hands,
looking up now and then to ask if he
could not "drive as well as most any
man" In vain the quick footed sqnir-
rels jumped about, and the birds sang
their sweetest songs Ralph was not be-
guiled into inattention to the respon-
sible duties before him. They were
going TO church and he was driving,
therefore songs and gambols must be
postponed or unnoticed
Once there, he found attractive OBJ
jects in the music, the people, and,
incest OF all, little black dog that had
followed an old lady and taken up n
position in the aisle near by, whore
Ralph could watch him.
Then ne got the hynm-book and fol-
lowed t,4u lines with his fat finger,
politely holding it toward his mother
II made no difference TO him,
that he held it wrong side up, and
when mother smiled at him kindly, he
let indeed "a little man"
Then, when the congregation rose
daring singing, Fido rose too, and
stood as demurely as Ralph, listening
to the music. He seemed pleased with
it, for at its close he gave low bark of
approval.
Ralph began to laugh, but remem-
bering his age and his pockets, he
quickly puckered up his mouth into
shape more amusing than dignifed,
shook his curly head at Fido, and
locked up ut mamma to see if she no.
heed how well he was doing.
During the prayer he folded his two
lit'le hands and closed his dear eyes as
does nightly at his mothers knee.
40 be sure, his hands got tired and
his eyes ached to see how Fido was
behaving, but he waited manfully till
the long prayer was over, and then
settled himself to hear the sermon
1t was something about walking in
the light, and Ralph whispered to his
father that he shouldn't think folks
would need telling to do that. And
", hen the minister spoke of some who
Iva d i'll the light of gospel day. but, /
seersAr not, CROPPED still in the dark
ness o. night, Ralph jumped up, quick
az thong, vt, and cried in his mothers
ear, "Thev re owls, amt they, mammal
Mamma 81. 'ok her head at him, and
his Dis nifty he sat down, but
found little more of interest in the ser
mon. At noon he went with another
little boy INTO the Sunday-school, and
came back by and by with happy face,
to show to his mother a small book and
a paper full of pict ures the teacher had
given him.
No Fido attended ia, afternoon ser
vices. They lacked the charm OF nov
city in some degree, AID at length
Ralph's head found its way TO his moth
er's lap, where he slept till the deacon
began to pass the hats for the COLLECTION
for the poor. Then he put in the tea
cents his father gave him with a great |
deal of satisfaction, though he did not !
quite understand the matter But on
the way home his father explained il, (
and Ralph thought no more of the nuts /
and candy that JroWd keep intruding
themselves into his mind before. He felt I
his heart throb with delight as he /
thought of poor ragged Sammy Burton
In "A new pair of boots or tidy coat.
And how does fathers man like GO
ing to meetings asked Mr. Is. as he
held Ralph on his knee after supper.
First rate, father, ana mean to go
every Sunday till I'm an old man like
grandpa and can't go.
That's right, my son; It's good
place for little men or large ones; "
and Mr.. b. kissed him with a prayer
that God would keep him pure and
loving, with due regard tor His house
and His day.
"And | went to Suuday-school too,
papa. and said verse like the rest, y
added Ralph,
.'what was it, my dear asked the
father.