Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1917-05-31
CHAPTER I-continued,

But to return to the Ladies-the par-
sonage girls always capitalized the La
dies Of their fathers church-"One Of
US should 60 and help the dear child"
said Mrs. Scott, the president of the
Aids, when they assembled for their
business meeting, "help her, and well
come her, and advise her."
II was thinking Of going over" said
one, and another, and several others.
"Oh, that will not do at ALL" said the
president. II think in q case like this
the president herself should represent
the society. Therefore, 1 will under
take this duty for you."
But this called forth q storm of pro-
test and 1t became so clamorous that it
was unofficially decided to draw cuts!
Which was done. and in consequence
OF that drawing Of cuts, Mrs. Adams
now sat on the front porch Of the old
gray parsonage, cheered by the knowl-
edge that every other Lady Of the Aid
was envying her!
"Now, just be real sociable and tell
me all about yourself, and the others,
too" urged Mrs. Adams. II want to
know all about every one of you. Tell
me everything"
There isn't much to TELL" said Pru-
dence, smiling. "There are five of us !;
I am the oldest-I am nineteen. Then
comes Fairy, then the twins. and then
the baby"
"Are the twins boys. or a boy and a
zirl?"
Neither" said Prudence. "they are
TOtn XffTS.
''More girlsl' Easped Mrs. Adams.
".And the baby7"
"She Is a girl, too" And Prudence
laughed. I'm short, we are all girls
except father. He couldn't be, of
course-or suppose he would, for our
family does seem to run to girls"
prudence Is a very nice name for
q minister's daughter" said Mrs. Ad-
ans suggestively.
"Yes-for some minister's daugh-
ters," assented Prudence. "But is sad
1y unsuitable for me-"
Mrs. Adams looked critically at this
young daughter Of the parsonage.
Then her eyes wandered down to her
clothes, and fingered In silent ques-
tioning, on Prudence's dress. 1t was
a very peculiar color. In fact, it was
no color at all-no named color. Pru-
dence's eyes had followed Mrs. Ad-
ans glance, and she spoke frankly.
II suppose you're wondering If this
dress is any color! Well. think 1t
really is, but it isn't any Of the regu-
lar shades. It Is my own invention,
but I've never named 1t. Fairy grew
up and out and around, and one day
when was so nearly out of clothes I
hardly felt could attend church any
more, she suggested that cut an old
one of hers down for me! At first
laughed, and then I was insulted. Fairy
is three years younger than I, and
before then she had got my handed
downs. But now the tables were
turned. From that time ON Fairy's
clothes were cut down for me. still
feel bitter about it. Fairy is dark, and
dark blues are becoming to her. She
handed down this dress-it was dark
blue then. But I was not wanting a
dark blue, and thought it would be
less recognizable If gave it a con-
trasting color. I chose lavender. I
dyed 1t four times, and this was the re-
suit"
do the twins dress alkeT inquired
Mrs. Adams, when she could control
her voice.
"Yes - unfortunately for Connie.
They do 1t on purpose to escape the
handed-downs! They won't even have
hair ribbons different. And the result
Is that poor Connie never gets one
new thing except shoes. She says she
cannot help thanking the Lord in her
prayers that all of us outwear our
shoes before we can outgrOw them.-
Connie is only nine. Fairy is sixteen,
and the twins are thirteen. They are
q very clever lot of girls"
"And what are you going to do?" in
quired Mrs. Adams, looking with real
affection Mt the bright, sweet face.
"You ought to 60 to school. You're
Just girl yourself"
II don't want to 60 to school,"
laughed Prudence. "Not any more.
like 1t, just taking care Of 1r (her and