Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-08-08

was a.wishing we were 0acK IN camp,
twas so mighty uncomfortable a-hear.
ing that kid asking fer some one ter
hear her prayers.
Sudden she came further into the
room and looked all round ter us men,
and yer never seen such a pretty sight
in all yer life as she made there. Her
big blue eyes were filled with tears
and her checks were pretty and pink,
and her golden hair was all frowzled,
and her little pink feet peeped out be-
low her white gown, like MayAowers
when they shine through snowdrift
on IL warm day. Everything was so
black around she looked like little
white flower growing oil alone in
clump err black stumps; and somehow
l wished all O q sudden that l want
such rough old chap. Thought 1t
must have been nice ter had kid,like
that real friendly with me when come
home nights.
Seemed Us II she must have known
what was thinking about, cause she
came up ter me, real confding like, and
put her little hand onter my knee, and
said;
"'You'll hear me say my prayers,
won't you?'
II tell you that room wasawful still,
and didn't dare look round ter see
the fellers a-grinning at the thought
Of me a-hearing her say her prayers.
Hadn't said my own for nigh onter
twenty years.
but she stood expectant like, and |
tell yer, boys, just couldn't say no.
I'd a. ruther had en- oil a-laughing at
me forever than a hurt that poor kid.
Strange what fools men are sometimes,
ain't it?
"'well.' says l, go ahead; I'll listen.
Then she dropped down onter her
knees and clasped her little hands,
and waited fer her ter begin
"'You must fold your hands, too
she said, and get down on your knees
side o me-
"'Oh, this'll do, | said. I can hear
you just us well this way, and I amt
very much used ter praying
but she insisted, and 80 Just cause
didn't know what else ter do, got
down on the floor, too.
II cant sem ter remember very
much what she said, only know 1t
ended God bless cverybody;' and then
when she said amen, she didn't get up,
but kinder waited
~ looked round ter sec what was up,
and II you'll believe me-, three Of them
men were down on their knees, too,
and one OF en- was crying like baby.
Yer must say what she told yer to-
whispered Ben.
"rhen l,inl or recollccted what she
had said, AMI marayel, with his help
Ing, to say; God bless you, darling,
and keep you, and us said 1t meant
II, too.
"Sllo seemed satisfied then, and got
up and shook hanls with inc; then
when Bill held out his she shook all
round, and welt Oft a-smilin' Us happy
as could be.
That's all there Is ter It," and Sam
glanced deilantly ut his audience.
"lIut It's true, every word, and I'm
proud er 1t, too. 'rain't very often we
kind or folks get chance ter see
! angels, and yer don't never want ter
miss 1t II yer do"
, There was q silence for moment
, then Sam got up and pushed back hi
stool and shufiled from the ROOM
'erhat was good yarn Of his sai'
J one, as the door closed and tn
others prepared to take their departure
also.
but yer never would or thought !
Of him, would yer, now?" qucried an
other.
, Ono by one they filed out, and tn
$ landlord, barring the door behin'
them, stood looking vacantly at tn
! empty chairs.
| THAT WIS good yarn" he unused
= N. Y, Independent.