Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-08
parsonage. she knocked repeated

1
and in vain, upon the front door. After
that she went to the side door, with
no better result. Finally, she gather
ed her robes about her and went into
the back yard. She peered into the
woodshed and saw no one. She went
into the barn lot and found It empty.
In despair she plunged into the barn
and stopped abruptly.
In shadowy corner was slender
figure kneeling beside an overturned
nail key, her face buried in her hands.
Evidently this was Prudence engaged
in prayer-and in the barn, Of ALI
places in the world! ~,
"A-a-a-hem!" stammered Mrs.
Adams inquiringly. - .~ y
| "Amen!' This was spoken aloud and
hurriedly and Prudence leaped to her
feet. Her fair hair chung about her
face in damp babyish tendrils and
her face was flushed and dusty, but
alight with friendly interest. She ran
forward eagerly, thrusting forth q
slim and grimy hand. ...
"You are Mrs. Adams, aren't you?
am Prudence Starr 1t is so kind
! of you to come the very first day."
she cried. 1T makes me love you
right at the start"
"Ye-yes, am Mrs. Adams" Mrs.
! Adams was embarrassed. She could
not Danish from her mental vision that
kpeeling figure by the nail key. In
terrOgation was written all over her
ample face and Prudence promptly
read it and fastened to reply. ....,.
II don't generally say my prayers
in the barn, Mrs. Adams, l assure you.
suppose you were greatly surprised.
I didn't expect to do it myself, when
came out here, but-well, when !, l
found this grand, old, rambling barn,
/ was SO thankful I couldn't resist
praying about it. OF course, didn't
specially designate the barn, but God
knew what I meant, l am sure"
"But a barn." calculated the per-
picked member" do you call that
a blessing?" ....-
"Yes,> indeed 1 do" declared Pru-
dence. Then she explained patiently:
ooh, it is on the children's account,
you know. They have always longed
for a big romantic barn to play in.
We've never had anything but a shed,
and when father went to conference
this year, the twins told him particu-
larry to look out for a good big barn.
They said we'd be willing to put up
with any kind Of parsonage If only
we might draw barn for once. You
can't imagine how happy this dear old
place will make them and I was happy
on their account That's why
couldn't resist saying my prayers
was so happy l couldn't hold in"
AS they. walked slowly toward the
house Mrs. Adams looked at this par
sonage girl in frank curiosity and
some dismay, which she strongly en-
deavored to conceal from the bright
eyed Prudence. The ladies had said
it would be so nice to have grown
girl in the parsonage! Prudence was
nineteen from all account, but she
looked like a child and-well, it was
not exactly grown-up to give thanks
for barn, to say the very least! Yet
this girl had full charge of four young
er children and was further burdened
with the entire care of minister
father! Well, we'll! Mrs. Adams sighed
little.
"You are tired" said Prudence sym.
pathetically. "It's so hot walking,
isn't it? Let's sit on the porch until
you are nicely rested. Isn't this
lovely yard? And the children will
be so happy to have this delicious big
porch. Oh, just adore Mount Mark
already"
This is fine chance for us to get
acquainted" said the, good woman
with eagerness.
. Now if the truth must be told, there
had been some ill feeling in the
Ladies' Aid society concerning the re.
ception of Prudence. After the ses.
sion of conference, when the Reverend
Mr.. Starr was assigned to Mount
Mark, the ladies of the church had
felt great interest in the man and his
family They inquired on every hand
and learned several interesting items. 4