The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-08-27
m ANSWERED
PRAYER
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1913, by Associated Lit
erary Press.

on a very serious matter" began Mr..
Gregg's wife as they sat together one
evening.
Mr.. Gregg nodded and sighed. He
was bored husband. His wife had
serious subject to bring up every
week or two
you know our Polly?" queried the
wife in half doubling way.
Mr. Gregg was the father of Polly
and ought to be fairly well acquainted
with her. He nodded his head
"Polly has another beau, and ] want
TO know what we are going TO do
about it,"
II can't do anything" slowly replied,
the husband after moments thought,
"but you can"
"What?"
you can butt In and crowd Polly
out and do the counting yourself, as
you have done with every other beau
she has hadm
Henry Gregg, may the Lord for
give you, for l never cam walled the
wife as she covered her face with her
hands.
But I'm right" he defended Sup
pose that when young man called.
here to see Polly went to the door to
shake hands with him and tell him I
was glad to see him.
Suppose / sat beside him in the
parlor for fifteen minutes limiting
around how nice it would be when he
and Polly were married"
Suppose / dinged it at him that
Polly was an angel and that he would
never have chance TO marry an
other.
Henry Gregg. you are an unnatural
father, and I'll never speak another
word to you on this matter. If Polly
lives to be ninety years old and never
marries it will be all your fault"
1t was common gossip that Mrs.
Gregg was so crazy to marry Polly of
that she was making fool of herself.
No one had given her a tip. and tue
girl had heard nothing. No one blani-
ed her. She was sweet, sensible girl
and didn't even realize that there was
too much mother and not enough OF
herself about the affairs.
Mrs. Gregg had received a bad set
back from her husband. She felt that
he had usurped privilege as sacred
as the COW of India. A daughters love
affairs and matrimonial prospects
ought to be left entirely in mothers
hands. The wife had said that she
wouldn't discuss the matter further
with her husband, and she meant to
keep her word. but she must talk to
somebody. she hardly dared trust a
woman. but who then?
why. the minister Of my church, OF
course" she replied after casting about
for day or two.
care you in trouble. Sister GreggT
asked the good man as she entered his
study with tears in her eyes.
Yves; great trouble" e.
Concerning your husband?'
Partly. He has come between me
and Polly"
Hem. How is that?"
why, he says I'm to let her beaus
alone and that she is to manage her,
own affairs. Did you ever hear the
hke?"
Her parson had heard all the gossip
about Mrs. Gregg butting In. Parsons
know what is going on In their parishes
as well as anybody else, but they don't
repeat the gossip.
How old is Pollyf' was asked.
"Going on twenty
"Hem. And she has another beau?"
"Yes-Will Somers."
"And he calls at the houseT'
1.-TWO or three times week"
~ see Young Mr.. Somers Is highly
spoken Of"
Hes inst as nice as can be. par
SON"
But Mr.. Gregg objects to him."
"Oh, no. nor
Then don't exactly understand
"Why, want him to know that I'm
Had he's counting Polly. and Mr.. Gregg
avs I'll drive him away. He calls It
putting in"
Yes. believe I've heard the word
before. Sister Gregg. don't you think
Polly is old enough to be courted:"
why, yes"
And to be courted the way Other
iris are?"
without me around?" was asked.
The parson nodded his head.
"But-but l want Mr.. Somers to
Hell know"
Then you won't advise me?''
al never mix up with family matters
{ / can avoid it.
We'll" said the discouraged woman
s she rose TO go. IF you won't advise
ne shall at least hope you viii pray
or me-"
"Umw replied the parson. leaving
he matter very much in doubt.
Three weeks later Mrs. Gregg fell on
n icy sidewalk and broke a leg. After
couple of weeks the pastor made
all, as it was his duty TO do. He
ound her mending and cheerful. She
him with smile and said:
81 have some news fer you. Polly
nd SiF. Somers are engaged"
"Ah, indeed"
"She told me this morning"
Happy to hear IT."
"And | want to say how thankful I
N that you prayed for me. You did