Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-11-22

$30.25; after referring to the margin
of his anthem book, the chorister re-
ported that it would make $50 all told.
On Thanksgiving evening they would
call at the parsonage and surprise the
pastor with a check for this amount
Perhaps it would somewhat atone for
the sin of whispering during the SER
mon.
Thanksgiving day was trying time
for the Norwoods. The baby was sick
the night before and kept them awake;
when they did get to rest, they over
slept What with rushing to get break
fast over and make ready for the serv-
ice at church, prayers were shortened
and the chapter omitted altogether.
Before the dishes were put away Rob-
bic came in with torn clothes and con-
fessed to having been fighting. With
like Interruptions Mrs. Norwood and
the children were unavoidably late to
church.
When they were seated at the din
ner table, it was almost with re-
/ bellious heart that thanks were of
| fered for the scanty meal before
them. They had never thought to
keep the day with such a meager fare
as this. Under the plea of pressing
work, Mr.. Norwood presently left the
table and repaired to his study, where
he worked all the afternoon on a
funeral sermon he was to preach the
next day. He had quit his own din
ner that the children might not go
hungry. Between him and his SER
mon foated visions of hungry mouths,
and eyes pleading stronger than in
words for food. The sermon woulS
not be made.
The wife succeeded no better with
her own work. Some one kept run
ming in all the afternoon until she de-
clared positively that she would not
go to the door for another caller,
which resolution she broke almost
Immediately. At last when the days
tasks were ended and the children,
tired and hungry, had been early sent
to bed, she came and laid her hands
in her husbands and looking into his
eyes said tearfully:
"Oh, Wesley, I am so tiredi Every
thing has gone wrong to-day. The
children never were SO naughty be-
fore. What will people say about
Robbie fighting2 The four-barrel is
empty, the potatoes are all gone, and
we have not thing in the house for
breakfast, only bread and butter; and
the grocer sent US word yesterday
that we could not have another thing
until we paid him. What shall we
do?" After which lengthy and some
what incoherent speech, she laid her
: head on his shoulder and found
refuge in tears.
''Never mind, dear; the Lord will
provides" then he slowly added. as il
in an afterthought, "someway."
A few minutes later, Pastor Nor.
wood was bowling to the organist
who slipped a check into his hand and
said properly: with the compli
ments of the choir" Just as they
were seated, the door-ben rang again
and this time the Junior league
marched en- masse and the astonished
minister stood speechless with &
check in either hand. Then the Older
league came, and presently the La
dies Aid, and last of all the trustees
all adding their offerings and crowd
ing the small rooms. Each party
looked stif1y askance at the others
wondering by what trickery thei
3 secret had become known. Mrs
e Hunter glanced sharply at Addie Da,
as If to accuse that young matron o
= treachery; but that timid soul shool
g her head so violently that it seemes
o she would dismember it, in assevera
4 ton that she did not tell her John
I Suddenly Junior audaciousl,
e shouted:
e at sayi why can't we we all go t.
y the church and have q good time.
Q It was the suggestion that avertei
impending war. A fire soon removes
T the chill from the room and the light
i. shone brightly on reconciled an
e happy gathering. By the time tn
y younger Eorwoods had been route