The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-12-06
THE MISSIONARY POTATO,

1t was very large church, and II
wasn't nicely furnished. No carpet on
the floor, no frescoing on the wall just
a plain, square, bare, frame building
away out in Illinois. To this church
came James and Stephen Holt every
Sunday of their lives.
On this particular Sunday they stood
together over by the square box stove,
waiting for Sunday school to commence,
and taking about the missionary col
lection that was to be taken up. 1t
was something new for the poor church
they were not used to having collec
tons taken up for them. However,
they were coming up IN the world, and
wanted to Eegin to give. Not cent
had the Holt boys to give that day.
Pennies are as scarce at our house
as heo's teeth, said Stephen showing a
row of white, even teeth soc spoke.
James looked dolefuI. 1t was hard on
them, he thought, to bethe only ones
III the class who had nothing to give.
He looked grimly around the old
church. What should he spy lying in
one corner under seat but a potato |!
How IN the world did that potato
get to church? he said, rodding his
head toward it. Somebody must have
dropped in that day we brought the
things here for the poor folks. | say,
Stennle, We might give that potato.
suppose it belongs to US as much as
to anybody.
Stephen turned, and gave a long,
thoughtful look at the potato.
That's All idea he said, eagerly.
Let's do 1t
James expected to see aroguish look
on his face, but his eyes and mouth
said, I'm in earnest
Honor brght7 asked James.
Yes, honor bright.
HowP Split it in two, and each put
half on the plate?
No, said Stephen, laughing I'VE can't
get it ready to give to-day, l guess ;
but suppose We carry it home, and
plant 1t in the incest spot we can find,
and take extra care of 1t, and give
every potato 1t raises to the missionary
cause? There'l be another chance
this isn't the only collectio3 the church
will ever take VI. and we can sell the
potatoes TO somebody.
Full Of this new plan they went into
the class looking less sober than before
and though their faces were rather red
when the box was passed to them, and
they had to shake their heads they
thought of the potato, and looked at
each other, and laughed.
Somebody must have whispered 10
the earth and the dew and the sunshine
about the potato. You never saw any,
thing like it. Beats all, said Farmer
Holt, who was let INTO the secret. If 4
had twenty-acre lot that would grow
potatoes in that fashion, | should make
my fortune.
When harvesting came, would you
believe that there were forty-one good,
sound splendid potatoes in that hill2
Another thing: While the boys were
picking them up, they talked over the
grand ma5s-meetng for missions that
was 10 be held in the church next
Thursday-an all. day meeting. The
little church had had a taste OF the ioy |
of giving, and was prospecting as she |
had not before. Now for big meet
ing, to which speakers from Chicago |
were coming. James and Stephen had |
their plans made. They washed the
forty. one potatoes carefully, and wrote
out in their very best hand this SEN
tence forty one times:
This is missionary potato !; its price
is ten cents it is from the best stock
known. 1t will be sold only to one
who is willing to take pledge that he
will plant 1t in the spring, and give
every one of Its children to missions.
Signed by James and Stephen Holt.
Each shining potato had one of
these slips smoothly pasted to Its plump
side.
Didn't those potatoes go of, though
By three O'Clock on Thursday afternoon
not one was left, though gentleman
from Chicago offered to give a gold
dollar for one Of them. Just imagine,
If you Can, the pleasure with which
James and Stephen Holt put each two
dollars and five cents into the collec-
ton that afternoon. I'm sure l can't
describe it TO you. But l can assure
you of one thing. They each have
garden, and it thrives.