The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-01-11


cut and dried. They thanked the Lord
for the beautiful morning, for kind
friends, for health, and family, and par
sonage. Connie always prayed In SEN
fences extracted from the prayers of
others she had often heard, and every
time with nearly disastrous effect.
But later on the morning worship
went better. The prayers of the chill
dren changed-becnme more personal,
less fiowery. They remembered that
when they knelt they were at the
feet Of God, and speaking direct to
him.
The family had been In the new par
sonage only three weeks, when a Wis
Ting minister called on them. 1t was
about ten minutes before the lunch
con hour at the time Of his arrival.
MIR. Starr was In the country, visiting.
so the girls received him alone. II
was an unfortunate day for the STAIRS.
Fairy had been at college all morning,
and Prudence had been rummaging In
the attic. getting IL ready for a rainy
day and winter playroom for the
younger girls. She was dusty and
tired.
The luncheon hour arrived, and the
girls came In from school, eager to be
up and away again. Still the grave
young minister sat dIscoursing upon
serious topics with the fidgety Pru-
dence-and In spite of dust and per-
splration. she was good to look upon.
Rev. Mr.. Morgan realized that, and
could not tear himself away. Finally
Prudence sighed.
do you like sweet corn, Mr.. Nor
GAM"
This was entirely out Of the line Of
their conversation, and for a moment
he faltered. "Sweet cornf" he repeated.
"Yes, roasting ears, you know
cooked on the cob"
Then he smiled. "Oh, yes, indeed.
Very much" he said.
"well." she began her explanation
rather drearily. II was busy this morn
Ing and did not prepare much lunch
con. We are very fond Of sweet corn,
and cooked an enormous painful. But
that's all We have for luncheon-sweet
corn and butter. We haven't even
bread. because am going to bake this
afternoon. and we never eat It with
sweet corn, anyhow. Now, II you care
to eat sweet corn and butter, and
canned peaches, we'd just love to have
you stay for luncheon with u.s."
Rev. Mr.. Morgan was charmed, and
said so. So Prudence rushed to the
kitchen, opened the peaches In hurry,
and fished out a clean napkin for their
guest. Then they gathered about the
table. FIVE girls and the visiting min
lister. 1t was really q curious sight,
that table. In the center stood a tall
vase Of goldenrod. On either side of
the vase was great platter piled high
with sweet corn. on the cobl Around
the table were six plates, with the nee
essary silverware. and a glass Of wa
ter for each. There was also a small
dish Of peaches at each place. and an
individual plate Of butter. That was
all-except the napkins. But Prudence
made no apologies. She was a daugh-
ter Of the parsonage! She showed Rev.
Mr.. Morgan to his place as graciously
and sweetly as though she were usher
ing him In to q twenty-seven-course
banquet.
"wiu you return thanks, Mr.. Nor
GAM" she said.
And the girls bowed their heads.
Rev. Mr.. Morgan cleared his throat,
and began: "Our Father we thank thee
for this table"
There was more Of the blessing, but
the parsonage girls heard not one ad-
ditional phrase-except Connie. who
followed him conscientiously through
every word. Carol burst into merry
close upon his reverent
"Amen"--and after one awful glare
at her sister. Prudence Joined in, and
soon II was q rollicking group around
the parsonage table. Mr.. Morgan him
self smiled uncertainty. He was pug
Fled. More. he was embarrassed. But
as soon as Carol could get her breath,
she gasped out an explanation.
you were just-right. Mr.. Morgan
to give thanks-for the table, There's
ito be thankful forl"
And the whole family went OF once
more into peals Of laughter.
Mr.. Morgan had very little appetite
that day. He did not seem to be 90
fond Of sweet corn as he had assured
Prudence. He talked very little. too.
And rs soon as possible he took his
hat and walked huiriedly away. He
did never called ut the parsonage again.
A few weeks after this Carol distin-
guished herself again, and to her last
ing modification. A man living only
six blocks from the parsonage had gen.
erously offered Mr.. Starr free pastur-
age for his pretty little Jersey In his
broad meadow. and the offer was CRATE
fully accepted. This meant that every
evening the twins must walk after the
COW, and every morning must take her
back for the days grazing.
One evening. as they were starting
out from the meadow homeward with
the docile animal. Carol stopped ana
gazed ut Blinkie reAectively.