Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-01-18
MSS MINERVA %
e. and SHA
'SWWILlAM GREEN HII@0
by FRANCES BOYD CALHOUN
s. Brton Coz
RANGES BOYD CALHOUN

liam, and shake hands with the nice
kind preacher"
VIVA fer?" he asked. 81 don't want
to go up there; ev'ybody hereT look
right at me-"
Are there no little orphans here?'
the minister was saying. 81 want to
shake the hand OF any little child
who has had the misfortune to lose its
parents"
Go on, William" commanded his
aunt. Go shake hands with the
preacher"
The little boy again demurred but.
Miss Minerva insisting, he obedientIv
slipped by her and by his chum.
Walking gracefully and jauntily IN
the aisle to the spot where the lee.
turer was standing by a broad table.
ne held out his slim, little hand
Jimmy looked at these proceedings
OF Billy's in establishment, not com.
pretending at all. He was rather in.
dignant that the older boy had not
confided in him and invited his par.
ticipation.
But Jimmy was not the one to sit
calmly by and be ignored when there
was anything doing. so he slid awk-
wardly from the bench before Miss
Minerva knew what he was I'D to.
Signaling Frances to follow. he swag-
gered pompously behind Billy and he.
too, held out a short, fat hand to the
minister.
The speaker smiled benignly down
upon them; lifting them I'D in his
arms he stood the little boys upon
the table. He thought the touching
sight OF these innocent and tender
little orphans would empty the pock-
cts OF the audience. Billy turned red
with embarrassment at his conspicu-
Gus position, while Jimmy grinned
happily at the amused CONGREGATION.
Mortified Miss Minerva half rose to
her feet, but decided to remain where
she was. She was a timid woman
and did not know what course she
ought to pursue. Besides, she had
just caught the Majors smile.
And how long have you been an
orphan?" the preacher was asking of
Billy.
Ever sence me an Wilkes Booth
Lincoln's born" sweetly responded
the child.
Il bout the orphantest boy they
is volunteered Jimmy.
Frances, responding to the latter's
invitation, had crawled over her faith
er's legs before he realized what was
happening. She, too. went smiling
down the aisle. her stiff white dress
standing straight up in the back like
a strutting gobbler's tail. She grabbed
mold of the mans hand, and was
I promptly lifted to the table beside
the other orphans" Tears stood in
the good preachers eyes as he turned
to the tittering audience and said 81.
pathetic voice, Think of it, my
friends, this beautiful little girl has
no mother"
Poor Mrs. Black! A hundred pairs
or eyes sought her pew and focused
themselves upon the pretty young
woman sitting there, red, angry. and
shamefaced. Mr.. Black was yisiblv
amused and could hardly keen from
laughing aloud.
AS Frances passed by the Hamil-
tons pew in her promenade down the
aisle, Mrs. Hamilton leaned across her
husband and made an attempt to
clutch Lima; but she was too late:
already that dignified little orphan"
was gliding with stately, conscious
tread to join the others. This was too
much for the audience. A few boys
laughed out and for the first time
the preachers suspicious were
aroused. AS he clasped Lina's slender,
graceful little hand he asked:
And you have no father or mother.
little girl?"
Yes, have, too" she angrily re-
torted. MY father and mother are
sitting right there" and she pointed
slim fore6nger to her crimson, EN-.
barrassed parents.