The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-10-13
AN OLD.FASHIONED CALL.
BY HARRIETTE REA.

hardly ever LETT With the OIneTS. one
was so full of mischief that the older
people said: "If you will take her
away, we can manage the rest" But
to-day father and mother must go to-
pether, and the charges were given to
Ada, for Ann was too busy to be dis
turbed.
Hardly was the ohaise out of sight
when Sallie's quick eye spied we'll
known horse and carriage coming up
the Andover road, and she fastened
to give the alarm.
'aThere's the minister! He's coming
here! Oh! Ada, what shall we do?
Let's run out to the barn.
Now, in those days call from
minister was a serious, solemn occur
renee. Children especially dreaded 1t,
for fear of the questions he might ask;
and. though they all loved Parson
MAYNARD, with his white hair and
mild, pleasant face, yet Ada felt that
She was called to pass through terri
BILE ordeal.
But she was very womanly, in spite
Of her twelve years; and now she SAID
to her sisters: y
ssDon't leave me alone. Let us all
sit down on the sofa and see how well
we can behave"
s'I ate thum fennel in meetin' last
Thunday afternoon, and I'm f'aid
he'll member it," said Ruth, who was
four years old and would lisp.
ST saw him look right at me when |
pushed you, Clare" said Sallie; "but
I'm going to hold my cat, any way;
And she took up old Grim, who had
been dressed in dolls cloak aud hood,
while enjoying her after-dinner nap:
'Don't talk any more, girls. Don't
you see see, he's getting out? LIN
going to put on Mothers half-hand-
kerchief and white apron, SO as to look
older"
And while the minister was tying
his horse, Ada slipped into the other
room. and came out dressed so much
like a little old woman that the chill
dren burst out laughing. Now Par
son Maynard knocked, and Ada whis-
pered:
"All stand up when he comes in.
Sallie, do cover up that cat!'
How do you do, my little grip
And the old gentleman bowed as re-
spectfully as if it had been her moth
er. "Are your parents at home this
afternoon?"
''No, sir. They have both gone te
Lowell. Won't you please come IMP
"Yes, will stop few moments, a
may not be able to call again TO
some time"
He took seat in the armchair, hi
eyes resting with an amused expression
upon the quaint little figure befor
him, who Immediately seated hersel
at the head Of the three others. Salli
folded her arms, Glare took hold O
Ruth's hand. and all four were motion
less as statues.
sI believe you all attend meetin
and Sunday-school. Do you not?"
''Yess, sir" said Ada.
"Do you remembr the texts OF las
Sabbath ?" he asked.
"Yes, sir. It was Genesis, thirty
ninth chapter and first verse, in th
forenoon, and Luke, twelfth chapte
and second verse, in the afternoon"
Every well; very well, indeed, m
child. And could you comprehen
the meaning Of either discourse?"
'Yes sir. I understood about Jo
eph's selling his brother No,
mean the brethren selling Joseph
''And could your sister, next, tell n
what her last Sunday-school lesso
was about?"
"Yes, sir" said sallie. 'It vi
about Noah. | remembered it, b
cause, when I got home, Marcus, OF
Of our hired men, let me get into tt
corn-chest in the meal-room and pl.
I was in the Ark, and he said he'd
whale on the outside
Poor Ada's face grew crimson, al
she touched Sallie to keep still.
''I trust it was not on Sunday afte
noon that you played, my little gl
I trust it was on Monday. Sunday
not time for play" And the min
ter looked so seriously at Sallie tn
she hung her head and wished $
hadn't told him. He continue
''Could the next tell me the names
Noah's three sons?"
"Yes, sir. Sham, Sam, and japan
replied Clare, promptly.
The corners Of the old mans mou
quivered little; but he did not smi
"You mean Shem, Ham, and JaI
ct. That is right. Now, can t
youngest girl tell me who was
oldest man who ever lived?"
"Yeth, thi," said Ruth, trembli
all over, yet determined to tell all
knew. 'sIt ith old Mr.. Bethee.
wath at meetin' lath Shunday. | tn
him."
"Oh! Mr.. Maynard" exclaimed 4
with tears in her eyes, for Ruth '
her special care, ''she does know alb
Methuselah."
'sNever mind, never mind. | tn
you are well-behaved little girls an
credit to your mother; but rememl
my children, there are graves in y
der churchyard no longer than yo
would be. You must study your
BILE, and daily prayer impress its tr
upon your hearts. | will now
Goodbye"
Just as he was shaking hands v
Sallie, old Grim, the cat, woke up,
seeing strange man bending over
made plunge for the door; but,
ing entangled by the cloak and
net, which she still wore, rolled
and over, splitting and growing f
ously. Finally, getting on her
she darted through the open vino
so close to the nose of the horse,
was quietly feeding, that he jun
up and down until his harness ratt
Parson Maynard hurried out, a
broad smile lighted up his face a