Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-05-25
THE EFFICACY
OF PRAYER.
BY d. A. ELLSWORTH.

were for the interest the driver had
shown in putting the meat and cream
back next to the ice so that they
would keep. The office was at a loss
to understand the matter. Besides
that Bill had not cashed his last
weeks voucher. Then the skies
cleared. Bill was in love.
1t had all begun in small way.
Each had had other near friends but,
well that Is neither here nor there so
far as Bill and Dulcie were mutually
concerned. Bill took more pains with
the icebox than was his wont and
| Dulcie had seen At to get his esti-
mate of several new recipes. Bill had
taken to making the Keeles' home
last, and so had some little time to
while away, before getting to the
stables by noon. He and Dulcie got
to standing by the icebox longer than
usual, sitting ON the steps for few
silver moments, and leaning against
the alley gate for some golden mo-
ments longer.
His cronies heard about 1t and Bill
was recipient of some rather rare jol.
lies and good wishes, all of which
were smoked to. In truth, Bill knew
he was a lucky dog, for Dulcie was
80 we'll liked that only the Keeles' So
cial prestige kept others from offering
her the highest wages paid in the
town. And as Bill said to a chum, on
the dead, "if Dulcie can keep the
Keeles' house up in style, she sure
oughter make KILN on my
shanty!"
Then, too, Dulcie was a member of
one Of the little churches over on the
lean side of the town noted for its
simplicity and sociables. In fact, the
chicken pie served on these latter &C.
casions had come to be spoken of
among the worldly as Chicken Piety.
But attendance at Brother Megg's
church, Of which Dulcie was no incon-
sequent member bespoke the highest
service both here and hereafter A
girl was taken in any home in the
town on the fact of Brother Meggs' as.
surance of character and cooking
1t was agreed that Bill should go
with Dulcie to her home to meet her
/ parents, to take tea, and to stand in
spection. Bill picked on Thursday as
a good day to try his luck with the
home folks, and so it came about that
Bits pride was humbled. Once at the
table, the saltant Fates led him
stumblingly too far
hushfully, will you please return
thanks?"
/ For one long instant, Bill spared
for place and breath. but his gullet
went through such a series of spas
modic contractions that he could not
even ask for silent prayers. He looked
at Dulcie. but her head was bowed
as In execution rather than in faith.
Mrs. Corne, you must excuse me.
I'd like to do prayer for you, Honest
Injun-but I've allus belonged to the
cussin' kind. an I just don't know
howl"
Then Mr.. Corne prayed
After supper. and it seemed to Bill
to be about three a. m, the family be-
gan putting on their wraps. ct Is
prayer meeting night" whispered
Dulcie. invitingly. Bill acquired his
hat from some place in the swimming
darkness about him. He never knew
quite how. but by tactical backing and
side-stepping managed to get by
Dulcie's side.
When the meeting was over 1t fell
to his already vanquished fortunes to
be asked to walk home with Mr..
| Corne, who wore sidewhskers and
had the smart smatterings of an edu-
cation taken from blackboards in the
course Of his duties of janitor Of the
high school building. AS they went
along he could hear Mrs. Corne talk.
ing with a young man whom she ad-
dressed as professor The professor
talked in such kindly tone, too. He
told of the little boy in his third read.
er class who loved to pray and who
had composed prayer for every con-
tingency in life. and who was even
now president Of the Band of Hope.
Mrs. Corne was deeply moved by the
recital, and turning, she called back:
Papa, did you hear what the pro-
fessor said?" And again, when they
overlook the preacher she insisted on
telling the story again. and foretell.
ing the happiness he would bring a
trusting heart some day. until Bill.
the elemental passions rolling In his
breast, tauntingly asked the preacher
for match and fell TO smoking gust
! lily.
The next day Bill took his wagon
out as usual. but before he had gone
half way round a special messenger
came to him with orders to go back
over the route to the places he had
sighted and to come into the office at
noon. And when he got around to the
Keeles' home 1t was well past -
o'clock and Dulcie never once showed
her face. Bill called her up in the
afternoon and wanted to make date
with her for that evening, but Dulcie
told him, with trembling voice, that