The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-07-31
Prayers and Potatoes.

II brother or sister be naked, and des
flute Of daily food, and one Of you say un'
tosthem, Depart in peace, be ye warmet
and alled; Notwithstanding We give then
not those things that are neeiful for tn.
body; what doth it profit flames 2: Is
16.
An old lady sat in her old arm chair,
With wrinklcd visase and dishevslled hair,
Aud hangcr-worn features:
For dsysand for weeks her only fare,
A she sat there in her old arm chair,
Had been potatoes.
But now they were gone Of bad or good
Not one was left for the old lady's food,
Ofthose potatoes;
And she sighed end said, "what shall do:
Where shall send. and to whom, shall go
For more potatoes"
And she thought Of the deacon over the way,
The deacon 50 ready to worship and pray,
Whose cellar was full of potatoes,
And she said 81 will send for the deacon to come
He'll not mind much to give me some
OF such store ofpotatoes."
And the deacon came over As fast a. he could,
Thinking to do the old lady some good,
But never, for once, Of potatoes.
He asked her at once what was her chief wanl,
And she, poor soul, expecting grant,
Immediately answered "Potatoes.''
But the deacons religion didn't lie that way;
He was more accustomed to preach and pray.
Than to give his boarded potatoes:
So not hearing Of course, what the old lady said,
He rose to pray, with uncovered head,
But she only thought Of potatoes.
He prayed for patience, and wisdom and grace,
But when he prayed, "L I'd gave her peace"
She audibly sighed, "give potatoes"
And at the end Of each prayer which he said,
He h ,ard, or thought he heard in its stead,
That same request for potatoes.
The Deacon was troubled knew not wh,t to do,
Twas very embarrassing to have her act SO
About 'fhose carnol potatoes."
So. ending bis prayer, he started for home:
But just as the door closed, ho heard deep groan
80 give to the hungry potatoes!"
And that groan followed him all the way homo,
In the midst Of the night it haunted his room
80 give to the hungry potatoes!"
He could bear it no longer arose and dressed;
From his we'll filed cellar taking in haste
Abas Of his best potatoes.
Again he went to tho widows lone hut;
Her slcerlcss eyes she had not yet shut;
But there she sat, in that old arm. chair,
With the same wan features, the same sad air,
And entering in, he poured on the floor
A bushel or more from his goodly store
0f choice potatoes.
The widows heart leaped up for joy,
Her face ha2gard and wan no more.
Snow" said the deacon, "shall We pray1''
eyes" said tho widow, ''now you may =
And h. kn'.led him down on the sanded aoor,
Where he had poured his goodly store,
And such prayer the deacon prayed
As new. r b. fore his lips essayed. u
No longer embarrassed, but free and full,
He poured out the voice of liberal soul,
Aud the willow responded aloud, "Anen ~
But said no more of potatoes.
And would you who he this simple tale,
Pray for the poor. and pray. ing, 'prev ail,''
Then preface your prayers with aim and goot
deeds;
Search out the poor. their wants and needs;
Pray for peace, and grace, and spiritual food,
For wisdom, anil guidance, for all these are good
But don't forget the potatoes.
Meth adist Protestant.