Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-20
PRUDENCE
OF THE PARSONAGE
THE FAMOUS STORY OF AHAPPY FAMILY
I BY Ezbe/Az1esfo1z
THE FAMOUS STORY OF A HAPPY e


, Eyes. Do you know where the bot
tom of that chair has gomez
why, no, Neutrality-suspicious.
That chair. why I didn't know you
were going to bring that chair in here
Why-oh, am so sorry! Why in the
world didn't you tell us beforehand
Some of the Ladies smiled. Others
lifted their brows and shoulders in a
mildly suggestive way, that Prudence
after nineteen years in the parsonage
had learned to know and dread.
| And where is the chair bottom
now?" she inquired. And why did
you take it?"
"Why we wanted to make"
"You and Lark"
We'll, yes-but it was really all my
fault, you know. We wanted to make
a seat up high in the peach tree and
we couldn't find board the right
shape So she discovered-I mean,
did-that by pulling out two tiny nails
we could get the bottom off the chair
and it was just fine. It's perfectly
adorable seat" frightening, but sob
ering again as she realized the gravity
of the occasion. And we put the
cushion in the chair so that 1t wouldn't
be noticed. We never use that chair
I you know. and We didn't think of your
needing it today. We put 1t away
back in the cold corner Of the sitting
er, living room where no one ever
sits. I'm so sorry about It,"
Carol was really quite crushed, but
true to her parsonage training she
struggled valiantly and presently
brought forth a crumpled and sickly
smile.
But Prudence smiled at her kindly
"That wasn't very naughty, Carol,
she said frankly. ITS true that we
seldom use that chair. And we ought
to have looked She glanced re-
lproachfully at Fairy. ut is strange
that in busting it, Fairy--but never
mind. You may 60 now. Carol. 1t Is
all right"
Then she apologized gently to the
Ladies, and the conversation went on
but Prudence was uncomfortably con
scious of keen and quizzical eyes
turned her way. Evidently they
thought she was too lenient.
well, it wasn't very naughty" she
thought wretchedly. "How can I pre-
tend it was terribly bad when fee
in my heart that 1t wasn't!'
Before long the meeting was called
to order and the secretary instruced
to read the minutes.
"Oh," f1uttered Miss Carr excite1ly
'I forgot to bring the book. l haven't
been secretary very long, you know
"Only six months" interrupted Mrs
Adams tartly.
How do you expect to keep today s
minutes?". demanded the president.
ooh, I AM sure Miss Prudence will
give me pencil and paper and I'll
copy them in the book as soon as ever
get home"
Eyes, indeed" said Prudence. There
is tablet on that table beside you
and pencils. too. I thought we might
need them"
Then the president made few re.
marks but while she talked Miss Carr
was excitedly opening the tablet. Miss
Carr was always excited, and always
futtering, and always giggling girl.
ishly. Carol called her sweet old
simpering soul and so she was. But
now, right in the midst of the presi
| NSuL SCllOuS lCuldl ND, sic NUlIc
giggled out
The president stared at her in
amazement. The Ladies looked up
curiously. Miss Carr was bending
low over the tap.e and laughing gai.y
to herself.
'Oh. this is very cute she said
who wrote it? Oh it is just real
cunning"
| "Oh, this is very cute she said
"Who wrote it? Oh, it is just real
cunning"
! Fairy sprang up, suddenly scarlet
"Oh, perhaps you have one Of the
twins books, and they're always
scribbling and"
mo- it is your, Fairy. I got it from
among your school books"
Fairy sank back, intensely morti
fed, and Miss Carr chirped brightly