The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-03-13

green hillside shone invitingly, and
Phil Lawrence envied the sheep graz
ing beneath the trees. and breaking
the drowsy stiffness by the faint tin
kle of their bells. Oh, would old DR..
Lacey ever end his sermon! and
were father and mother as much in
terested as they appeared, sitting so
properly upright, looking straight at
the speaker-father In his black
broadcloth and standing collar;
mother in her lilac silk and lace bon
net? Once more the lad counted
panes of glass in the windows. In
order to complete this latter count,
he was obliged to look around to-
ward the rear OF the church; and
there In the very last pew. he recog-
nized his older brother. Bob. and his
neighbor, Edith Holt They seemed
to be paying no attention whatever
to the sermon. In fact, they were
whispering and smiling and scrib-
bling notes.
Phil. was gazing at them in sur
prise. when Bob. overcome by some
very amazing message which Ben had
scrubbed to him, uttered an audible
twitter which caused the minister to
look over his spectacles at the mis-
creant, and all the congregation to
turn in their pews to see whence the
noise had come. Poor Bob showed
Immediately that he was the guilty
one, for his face was flushed with
shame, and his companions looked
most uncomfortable, too.
At last the minister pronounced
the welcome words: SIN conclusion.
let us sing" and after awhile the
services were over; but it was not
yet time to go home, however hun
cry boy might be, for all the con-
gregation must stop to exchange
greetings, or extend invitations, or
inquire about absent members; and
the exit from the church was indeed
slow and leisurely.
But finally all the family, includ-
ing Ben and Sue, who were to spend
the day with Bob, were seated in the
old barouche, and Gold Dust and
Sorrel Sam were trotting eagerly
down the shaded road, homeward.
you children must sit up in our
pew after this said Mr.. Lawrence
to Bob, as the carriage passed out
the churchyard gates. "Of all things.
| dislike irreverence, and I won't toll
crate misbehavior in church
But, father, I could not help
laughing" Bob defended himself
land it's so stupid having to sit up
there in front, for DR.. Lacey's ser
mons are so long. Back next to the
door it's cooler; and all the other
| boys and girls of my age sit back
| there
1--WE no objection to your sitting
| back there so long as you behave
yourself in proper, reverent man
ner," said Mr.. Lawrence. "But you
disturbed the services this morning,
| and that must never happen again"
But, father, it's so hard to sit per-
fectly still all the time; and I'm not
Phil's age. you know; SO I don't like
to sit up there with the infants. I've
long ago outgrown them, 20 uknow,"
Bob protested.
| ."You can never outgrow your duty
to your training; and irreverence is
one of the surest signs of ill-breed-
ing" Mr.. Lawrence replied.
"My DEAR" Bob's mothers gentle
voice observed from the back seat,
81 know it's hard to sit still for a
long while when one is active and
growing, but you must not get the
idea that you have outgrown rever-
ence. 1t is more your duty to behave
yourself in church than it is little
Pills, for you are older than he, and
your example counts more. Then,
too, you are put upon your honor IN
being allowed to occupy those rear
pews. We are trusting you to be rev.
erent. Indeed, reverence is charac-
teristic of the truest greatness.
am reminded of beautiful story OF
/ Queen Victoria. She was just slip
of a girl when she was crowned
queen of all Great Britain. But
what pomp and what splendor at
tended the greatest event in all her
country, the coronation of the lovely
young queen! Before the great
event took place, the timid young
girl, who, after all, was quite like
other girls Of her own age, was very
thoroughly instructed as to just what
she should and should not do on this
occasion. At the close of the corona
ton, that wonderful masterpiece Of
music, Handel's Messiah, was to b.
sung by a great chorus of finely
trained voices. ALI the listeners
save the queen, were to arise ant
bow their heads during the chorus
but she, as a mark of her superiorit!
to all present, was to remain seated
upon her majestic throne. TIL,
young girl listened attentively to al
that was told her, and learned wei
: her most important part of this mos