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

lers. Then the Misses Avery, school
teachers and elderly. looked at one an
other.
did you everr gasped the oldest
Miss Avery. and the others slowly
shook their heads.
Now, think Did you ever see rec
tor jumping a three-wire fence, and
running full speed across his front
yard In pursuit Of flying femllyf 1t
may possibly have occurred-we have
never seen II. Neither had the three
Misses Avery. Nor did they ever ex-
pect to. And II they had seen II, II
Is quite likely they would have Joined
the backsllders mt that instant.
But without wasting much time on
this gruesome thought. they hurried
20 window commanding the best view
)f the parsonage, and raised II. Then
they clustered behind the curtains, and
watched and listened. There was
plenty to heart From the parsonage
windows came the sound Of scamper-
ing feet and banging doors. Once there
was the unmistakable clatter of chair
overturned. With 1t all there was a
constant chorus Of "Oh. look" "Oh |
Ohr ooh, how sweet" "Oh, papa ~
'Oh. Prudencel" Look, Larkie, look
at this !"
Then the eldest Miss Avery closed
the window overlooking the parsonage
and confronted her sisters.
I'VE must just make the best Of IT,"
she said quietly.
But next door the gray old parson-
age was full to OVERLOOKING with salts
faction and happiness and love. Every
one has experienced the ecstatic. creepy
sensation of sleeping In n brand-new
home. The parsonage girls reveled In
the memory of that first night for many
days. at may be haunted for all we
know" cried Carol deliciously. "Just
think, Connie, there may be seven
ghosts camped on the head Of your bed.
waiting"
Carroll"
When the family gathered for wor-
ship on that first Sabbath morning.
Mr.. Starr said. as he turned the leaves
Of his well-worn Bible, II think It
would be well for you to help with the
morning worship now. When I finish
reading the chapter, Connie, you will
make the first prayer. Just pray for
whatever you wish rs you do at night
for yourself. viii follow you"
Comics eyes were wide with respon-
slbility during the reading Of the chap
ter. but when she began to speak her
voice did not falter. Connie had nine
years of good Methodist experience
back Of heri
"Our Father. who art in heaven, we
bow ourselves before thy footstool In
humility and reverence. Thou art our
God, our Creator. our Savior. Bless us
this day, and cause thy face to shine
upon US. Blot out our transgressions,
pardon our trespasses. Wash us. that
we may be whittier than snow. Hide
not thy face from the eyes of thy
children, turn not upon us In wrath.
Pity US. Lord. as we kneel here pros
trate before thy majesty and glory.
Let the words Of our mouths and the
meditations Of our hearts be accent
able In thy sight. o Lord. our strength
and our Redeemer. And finally save
us, an unbroken family around thy
throne In heaven, for Jesus sake.
Amen"
This was followed by an electric n
lence. Prudence was biting her lips
painfully. and counting by tens as fast
as she could. Fairy was mentally 60
ing over the prayer, sentence by SEN
tence. and attributing each petition
to the Individual member In the old
church at Exminster to whom II be-
longed. The twins were a little
amazed. and quite proud. Connie was
an honor to the parsonage-but they
were concerned lest they themselves
should not do quite so well when their
days came.
But In less than a moment the min
ister-father began his prayer. When
he said "Amen." Prudence was on her
feet and halfway upstairs before TIE
WIN oso''
gazing intently out Of the window for
a moment. and then went out to the
barn to see IL the horse was through
eating. Mr.. Starr walked gravely and
soberly out the front door, and around
the house. lie ran into Fairy coming
out the kitchen door, and they glanced
quickly ut each other.
Hurry, papa" she whispered; "you
can't hold In much longer! Neither
can IT.
And together. choking with laugh
ter, they hurried into the barn and
gave full vent 10 their feelings.
So II was that the twins and Connie
were alone for while.
"You did a pretty good job. Connie"
said Carol approvingly.
"Yes, l think did myself" was the
complacent answer. "But l intended
to put In. Keep us as the apple Of thy
eye, hold us In the hollow of thy hand
and forgot Il until had said Amen
1 had a notion to put In postscript,
but 1 believe that isn't DONE"
"Never mind" said Carol. "rll use
that In mine, tomorrow"