Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-17
!. ]. PRUDENCE I: ].
OF THE PARSONAGE
THE NlloUS STORY OF A HAPPY FAMILY ID
~ k3yAzbe/hz1oyfo17 ;
m Bosss Hxsa11 Co

ed exclusively to the twins, and it was
double impertinence to apply it to one
of its very possessors. s,,s. .s p. X
| "And you understand, don't you,
father, that if everything does not go
just exactly right, l shall feel | AM
disgraced for life? l know the ladies
disapprove of me, and look on me with
suspicion. l know they think it wick
ed and ridiculous to leave the raising
of four bright spirits in the unworthy
hands of girl like me. l know they
will all sniff and smile and-of course,
twins, they have a perfect right to feel
and act so. am not complaining.
But l want to show them for once in
their lives that the parsonage runs
smoothly and sweetly. If you would
just stay at home with US. father, it
would be big help. You are such a
tower Of strength" ~s. E,1-
But unfortunately I can not. PEG,
pie do not get married every day in
the week, and when they are all ready
for 1t they do not allow even Ladies'
Aids to stand in their way 1t is a
long drive, ten miles at least, and
must start at once. And it will likely
be very late when get back. But If
you are all good, and help Prudence,
I will divide the wedding fee with you
share and share alike" This was
met with such enthusiasm that he
added hastily, But wait! 1t may be
only a dollar!"
Then kissing the various members
of the parsonage family, he went out
the back door, BARNARD. ..-..t
| Now said Prudence briskly. II
want to make bargain with you girls.
If you'll stay clear away from the
ladies, and be very good and orderly,
I'll give you all the lemonade and
cake you can drink afterward.'
| -.-"Oh, Prudence, I'm sure can't
drink much cake" cried Carol tragical.
lily, Il just can't imagine myself doing
TT mean, eat the cake, of course, =
said Prudence, blushing. .-aa-
And let us make taffy after sup
PERI" wheedled Carol. @s@r..A
Prudence hesitated, and the three
young faces hardened. Then Prud-
ence relented and. hastily agreed.
You won't need to appear at all, you
know. You can just stay outdoors and
play as though you were model child
rem"
YES" said Carol tartly, 'the kind
the members used to have-which are
all grown up, now!~ And all moved
out of Mount Mark, too" a. ~~'
CAROL That sounds malicious, and
malice isn't tolerated here for min
ute. Now-oh, Fairy, did you remem-
Der to dust the back of the dresser in
our BEDROOM"
Mercy! What in the. world do you
want the back Of the dresser busted
for? Do you expect the ladies' to- look
around it?'' -.------- -. ..
mo, but someone might drop some.
thing behind it, and it would have to
be pulled out and they would all see it..
This house has got" to be absolutely
the first time" 49, AL a1
And the last, I hope" added Carol
sepulchrally. go ., 10 -
1--WE have an hour and half yet"
continued Prudence. THAT will give
us plenty of time for the last touches.
Twins and Connie, you'd better go
right out in the field and play. 2 I'll
call you a little before two, and then
you must go quietly upstairs, and
dress-just wear your plain little ging-
hams, the clean ones of course! Then
if they do catch glimpse of you,
you will be presentable- Yes you
can take some bread and sugar, but
hurry, -'-.
you may take,'' said Fairy. .s,-+-
Eyes, of course, may take is what
mean. Now hurry" II. 5
Then Prudence and Fairy set to
work again in good earnest The
house was already well cleaned. The
sandwiches We're made But there
the last rites" and every detail must
be. religiously attended, toe Nd
L 1t must be remembered that the
three main downstairs rooms of the
parsonage were connected by double
~ y e ~ 81 +. = . + ~