The Forrest City times., 1894-05-18
HE FINISHED HIS PRAYER,

And After Sunday School He Thrnshed Each Hoy Who Tried to Interrupt Hts Devotions.
 Not many weeks ago wandered into church at an early hour on Sunday morning.
 One by one, slowly entered the mem- bers of the congregation, and scattered themselves through the body of the church, maintaining that hush and solemn quiet which is only to he found in assemblies that meet for worship.
 The very atmosphere seemed to breathe silence: one was absolutely wrapped in stiffness, as with gar ment.
 walked manly little urchin who ap- peared to be nine or ten years old. Looking neither to the right or left. he entered pew and dropped on his knees.
 While he was thus absorbed in his devotions, a noise of entering footsteps broke the silence. and soon process sion of seven small boys filed into the same pew, but, to all appearance, un- disturbed by the sound or the move- ments, he maintained his devotional attitude.
 After the lapse of perhaps eight min- utes whisper ran along the line of the seated boys After the whisper. a snicker went the length of the line. followed by sort of telegraphy from eye to eye.
 l After which. one of the number leaned forward and adroitly pulled the back hair of the kneeling boy. The young worshiper showed no conscious ness of the act, maintaining his posi- tion in unbroken silence.
 Then youngster on the other side of the boy pulled lock of hair within his reach, but no remonstrance or other recognition of the attack was given. The boy on his knees evidently meant to treat these profane interruptions on the part of his companions with silent contempt.
 Then. followed a series of thumps on the back of his head, slowly and ef- fectively administered, with skillful adjustment of the thumb and forefin- ger, and rendered in perfection only by long process of training. But the same result followed. The boy neither moved nor winced.
 Another whisper from mouth to mouth. Evidently the situation de- manded higher examples of strategy. and boy who seemed to be bolder 1 than the rest deliberately moved from his seat, and approaching the young devotee administered three agonizing pinches.
 | A slight twitching of the muscles was the only indication that the young worshipper felt this attack and quiet ensued for fifteen minutes. after which youngster, who, mp to this time had taken no part in the amusement, out side of the giggling and the ocular telegraphy, assumed a like devotional attitude with the persecuted boy and inflicted series or sharp thrusts with his elbow with the incisive force of pumphandle.
 The victim made no sign. and his tor mentor arose from a kneeling posture and resumed his seat.
 After a few minutes of silence one of the boys leaned forward and beckoned to the others His foes seemed radiant | Wltl d Suttoth ihol'ii dlicus ahN iC odiA in stage whisper, quite loud enough to be heard at distance of three pews behind him:
 II tell you, fellers, let's undo his gal uses.''
 Whether the situation had become too desperate for further endurance, or whether the young St. Anthony had concluded his prayers. it would be inn possible to say; but upon the utterance of these suggestive words he rose from his knees and, crossing the aisle, took seat in an opposite pew, preserving his gravity of demeanor to the last.
 A youthful St. Anthony indeed, but there were limitations to his piety, for at the conclusion of the services he stood in the vestibule, his hands in his pockets and his eyes flashing indigna- tion, till his tormenters appeared, when he drew himself up defiantly and said:
 .I want you fe.lers to meet me in the alley after Sunday-school, and I'm goin' to lick you for what you done this mornin'. ."-Boston Globe.
 
 Encouraging.