The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-11-27

and that the Observation-Disclosures
more suitable for a dining room than
a drawing room.
Now, thought with self grat1lla-
tory feeling, Eleonore can receive
her callers in comfort.
But ! reckoned without my prodi-
gals.
Although the picture gave us less
annoyance in its present position,
we did not become reconciled to it.
Far from it. But as I sat with my
back toward it during meals, and
Eeonore had onlya side view, it was
not so constantly obvious as it had
been, and when the warm weather
came we covered it with gauze-on
account of the flies.
It happened that the distinguished
botanist, DR.. s., visited our town
about the holidays.
There were no flies at that time.
Our guest was a most amiable man,
and the friends whom we had invit-
ed to dine with him did their best to
entertain him.
During the soup he related a high
" amusing adventure he had had in
Egypt. When Rika removed his plate,
he, looked up-the prodigals were
directly opposite him-and well bred
though he was he could not help
look of wondering surprise at sight
Of such a travesty on art.
A few days later Eleonore went to
visit her mother, and while she was
gone I again sent for the upholsterer
and bis men and had the picture re-
moved to my study. To do this ]
was obliged to take down about 200
books together with the shelves.
The light here was execrable, but
that did not matter. I placed my
desk so that my back was toward it
and commended my visitors Of taste
TO the mercy of their good angels.
On New Years day Aunt Caroline
dined with US, and you may imagine
her surprise, when, seated in the
chair DR.. s. had occupied, she
looked up and found the picture
gone. She did not say word, how
ever. :.
"We hung your picture
lovely picture, dear aunt-in my
study" I answered casually, adding
in my desperation, q intend to ex-
hibit it to my Sunday class"
The dear soul did not say any
thing, nor was she offended, but she
appeared SO melancholy that was
conscience stricken. Before I went
to bed I tried to make amends for
the detestable story I had told Aunt
Caroline. ] wrote to a friend of
mine and invited him to bring his
Sunday class on the following Thurs
day evening and drink tea with US.
The invitation was accepted.
received my friend and his schol-
ars in the drawing room. asked
the little fellows all sorts of ques-
ton about their studies. and Eleo-
more showed them our photographs.
At last came the welcome summons
to tea, after which invited the chill
dren into my study to see the picture
of the prodigal son.
The lamps were placed in the most
favorable positions. The youngsters
ranged themselves in q row in front
Of the picture. I took up my station
on one side, Herr Diebert On the
other. Icleared my throat and be-
gan in a didacic tone:
This picture, my dear children,
is partly alegorical, partly realistic.
These two rows of columns on either
side of the center divide the different
F.eras of the parable. Here on the
left you see the prodigal, hungry and
wretched, sharing the swine's food
asthe Scriptures tell us. Here in the
background you see them singing
and dancing, rejoicing over the re
turn Of the: prodigal- Here on tie
right is the butcher in the act of kill
ing the fatted calf"
While delivered this highly in.
structive lecture Herr Diebert point
ed with ruler toward the designat,
ed objects.
The silence which followed my re-
marks was actually oppressive. At
last one little fellow, Fritz Diegel,
the butchers son, feeling that some
thing ought to be said, stammeringly
asked, BE them Hungarian or Ba-
varian hogss"
The laughter which followed lift,
ed the general oppressiveness, and
the clock striking 9 soon afterward
Eleonore and / gave thanks for our
release.
These are only few of the many
snnoyances which Aunt Caroline's
well meant wedding present brought
upon us.
Fortunately, there were some very
warm days in March-Guite wasm
enough to bring to life two flies in
my study. Once ! should have put
an end to their premature existence.
I did not do so now. fetched the
gauze veil and draped it securely
over the prodigals. The next day
Aunt Caroline called. Said to her
when she came into the study:
Have you noticed, dear aunt, how
very early the flies have made their
appearance this spring?"
Aunt Caroline had not noticed.
Ishould not be adhering strictly to