The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-09-26
amaerspts gatelligsneer,
Why not Ask o Blessing ?

Thereywere six in that gay little
party-six bright girls. Of the books
they read, the album and pictures
they looked at, and the rollicking
games they played, [ shall not tell
you, because you know more about
such things at girls party than [
do.
All the girls were visitors, except
Gcrtie Dinsmore, who couldn't be a
visitor, because the party was at her
house. A charming hostess she made,
too, as all her guests declared, for she
thought more Of their pleasure than Of
her own.
OIt was pleasant summer day. The
sun shone from a sky that was as deep
blue as the trees and lawns were deep
green ; and the chippies and wrcns
trilled gayly about the house.
When noon came, the dinner was
set on table out under thick shade
tree in the yard Oh there we're
but what do 1 know about girls pic
mic dinner? All I can say is, that
the white cloth and the table itself
fairly groaned aloud under the weight
of the good things.
''Well, sit up, sit up" said the little
hostess, pleasantly, when all things
were ready.
The party having been seated, there
was pause, aud everybody glanced
around at everybody els. Some of the
girls looked little embarrassed as if
they didn't quite know what was the
proper thing to do next.
''Why don't they begin to eat =
whispered Sadie Carson to Alice
Wright.
But before Alice could answer, Ger
tie Dinsmore, the hostess, cleared her
throat and said
3''My papa and mamma and [ always
ask blessing at the table.
"That's what we do at our house,
too spoke up Ruth Billingsly.
$50 do we, chimed Allie Wright
and her little sister Jane. "And /
never feel right to sit down and eat
meal unless some one does return
| thanks for the nice food" added AL
lie. II do think it terribly un-
grateful not to thank God forhis good
| ness"
"Well, let us just say thanks all
| around, then, before we begin to
eat" suggested Gertie. "I'lltake the
lead"
The girls bowed their heads, while
one after another said a brief, simple
prayer. But when it came to Sadie
Carson turn, she blushed, hesitated, /,
and. then stammered out, almost in
tears: q
ssMy papa never asks a blessing
at the table-and-and [ don't know
how"
This caused a little confusion, but
the next girl set things all htagain
by repeating the prayer she had learn
ed at home, and then, as she was the
last, the girls all lifted their heads and
the meal began.
"I sink it real mean not to say
Sank you to God when He's SO
good" blurted out Jane Wright, who
was the youngest girl in the party.
"Why 2" asked Sadie Carson, blush
9'Why, cause" replied little Jane,
"when your papa OF mamma, or some.
body else, gives you somethin' real
nice, don't you sank 'em for it ?
'Twouldn't be good-good manners
not to, would itP Well, it's not good
manners to God to take every nice
sing. He gives us, an not say Sank
you +"
"!Jans's right" added the young
hostess, handing around the fruit.
s'Nothing's worse than being migrate
full. Just think of sitting down three
times every day in the year, and eat
ing up God nice gifts, that He gives
the rain an the dew an. the sunshine
to make grow, an then never once
thanking Him for them all !"
cts real mean, so it u.s." admitted
Sadie Carson ''just as little Jane
says and 1 will ask my papa to ask
blessing, too
Sadie.4was a resolute girl, and
so, whensehe and her parents sat
down at the table that evening in
her own home, she said in her blunt
"Papa, all the girls at the party to-
day said that their papas asked a
blessing at the table. Twas the only
one who couldn't say my papa did.
Oh, how sorry I was And what d
You think I? All the girls said thanks
at our party-all but me, and /
couldn't, cause I hadn't learned any
prayer at home!' Sadie S voice almost
broke. ''Why don't you ever ask a
blessing, papaT
It was an embarrassing question.
Mr.. Carson's face grew as red as the
cherries on the table before him. He
was so surprised and ashamed that he
couldn't answer word, but could only
look down at his plate and pretend he
hadn't heard.
But he heard. Nor could he forget
his daughters question. It was Sc
we're struggle, but after a few days he
conquered himself, and said one morn
ing at the breakfast table:
"Let us ask blessing p
And after that day he never omitted
that important part of the meal
Christian Observer.