The daily tribune., 1908-05-14
ELS|E'S PRAYER
Aer buslneesiIke Proposition to
hor Father.

u
problem to her parents during the en-
tire six years of her life. When a
little baby she had periodical spells
OF crying which seemed to occur about
the same time daily, and nightly. too.
she would hold her breath for 80
long time that her mother and IA
ther would become greatly frightened.
and then she would show such unusal
temper She was only three years old
when 1t was quite evident that she
was developing serious and undesir.
able traits of character. Her father,
Mr.. Clinton, was the son OF promi-
nent minister, and her mother the
daughter and granddaughter of
clergyman. Both we're deeply relig-
ious. and the thought OF having child
who would, when she reached woman
hood. prove wild and ungovernable,
caused them much distress and anx-
iety. and many hours were spent dis
cussing Elsies future and the wisest
and best method OF guiding her youth
full footsteps
They believed thoroughly In Chris
tan training, and decided to lead her
young mind In that direction as far as
possibility placing her In Sunday
school close by their home. But Elsie
was restless, and her mother and ia
ther soon learned that the teacher
had difficulty In interesting her, and
Elsie would plead to be allowed to re
main at home. II the day proved
stormy, and she was permitted to do
80, she would romp from room to
room in wild, ungovernable sort OF
way, never quiet for a moment, and
the subject OF earnest and anxious
conversation far into the night. She
certainly showed every evidence of
developing into a very unruly child.
On the day Elsie was placed In
Sunday school her mother started to
teach her little prayer. but Elsie re-
belled. and simply would not be
coaxed into learning 1t. Finally Mrs
Clinton was compelled to deny Elsie
little pleasures during the day time
until she would promise to repeat the
prayer at night. but when night came
she would say: ELSIE Is too tired to
say her prayer; you say It for me,
mamma"
Mrs. Clinton promised Elsie II she
would be good girl and say her lit
tie prayer every night she would give
her ten cents each week, which she
might spend with her little playmates
Elsie was trying very hard to "be
good" but one week Mrs. Clinton dis
covered that Elsie was saving her
money, and no amount of questioning
could get her to tell for what purpose
For weeks Elsie saved every penny
and neither Mr.. nor Mrs. Clinton could
money for. In reply to any inquiry
from her mother Elsie would only
say: Il heard you and papa talking
about something, and want IT," and
this strange behavior on the part OF so
young a child renewed and increased
the anxiety Of her parents as to her
future.
One night Mr.. Clinton returned
home quite late from business and re.
marked to Mrs. Clinton that he was
detained on account of the public
stenographer In his building, who had
some of his work to do and some of
his bills to make out. as she was
planning to be married very soon and
Intended to close up the office.
Little Elsie ran to him and with
frightened look said: "Will she never
come back. papa?" mo, my little
girl, she will leave on Saturday, and
will not return" Elsie looked very
thoughtful for moment or two. then
she said: Papa, what is that you
told mamma your 'snografer' did when
she turned the wheel and made the
letters come out so fast7" "Mimeo-
graDhed them" Then Mr.. Clinton
smiled and said II said. grind out
800 letters at time" Papa. didn't
you tell mamma she did II for two
dollars?" Yes. little girl" and Mr..
Clinton looked surprised.
Little Elsie slipped away, and in
few moments returned with her saw.
ings, one dollar In all. and said:
Papa. dear. before your 'snografer'
goes away. won't you give her this.
and ask her to 'mln-gras my prayer?
I'm so tired saying IT, Tell her to do
a dollars worth OF 'em"