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About The Forest Grove express. (Forest Grove, Or.) 1916-1918 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 1917)
(Copyright, by the Bobbs-Merrlll Com P * n y.) The parsonage girls enter tain a visiting minister, much to his discomfiture, — and Carol rides a cow with disastrous results. Mr. Starr, a widower Method ist minister, has been assigned to the congregation at Mount Mark, Iowa. He and his daugh ter Prudence— she ¡3 nineteen and the eldes^cf five girls— have come on ahead to net the new parsonage ready for the younger members of the family. Of course the whole town, espe cially the Method.eta. is very cu rious about the newcomers. In dividual members of the Ladies’ A i d aocicty drep in upon the family and "pump” the girls for all they’re worth. But the Starrs rapidly adjust themselves to their new surroundings, and the father decides his brood is old enough to participate in family prayers. Little Connie has just finished hers — much to the amusement of her elders. CHAPTER II— Continued. So it was that the twins and Connie were alone for a while. “ You did a pretty good job, Connie.” said Carol approvingly. “ Yes, I think I did myself,” was the complacent answer. “ But I intended to put in, ’Keep us as the apple o f thy eye,, hold us In the hollow o f thy hand,’ :.nd I forgot it until I had said ’Amen.' I had a notion to put in a postscript, but 1 believe that isn't done.” “ Never mind,” said Carol, “ I’ll use that in mine, tomorrow." It cannot he said that this form of family worship was a great success. Tiie twins were Invariably stereotyped, cut and dried. They thanked the Lord for the beautiful morning, for kind friends, for healtii, and family, and par sonage. Connie always prayed in sen tences extracted from the prayers of others she had oftpn heard, and every time with nearly disastrous effect. But later on the morning worship went better. The prayers of the chil dren changed— became more personal, less flowery. 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 n vis iting minister cnlled on them. It was about ten minutes before the lunch eon hour at the time o f his arrival. Mr. Starr was in the country, visiting, so the girls received him alone. It was aD unfortunate day for the Starrs. I'airy had been at college all morning, and Prudence had been rummaging in the attic, getting it ready for a rainy day and winter playroom for the younger girls. She was dusty and tired. The luncheon hour arrived, and the giris came in from school, eager to be up and away again. Still the grave young minister sat discoursing upon serious topics with the fidgety I’ ru- t’ ence— and in spite o f dust and per spiration, 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. Mor gan?” This was entirely out o f the line of their conversation, and for a moment he faltered. “ Sweet corn?” he repeated. “ Yes, roasting ears, you know— < ooked on the cob.” Then he smiled. “ Oh, yes, indeed. Very much,” he said. “ Well,” she began her explanation rather drearily, “ I was busy this morn ing and did not prepare much lunch eon. W e are very fond o f sweet corn, and I cooked an enormous panful. But that’s all we have for luncheon— sweet corn and butter. W e haven’t even bread, because I am going to bake this afternoon, and we never eat It with sweet corn, anyhow. Now, If you care (y eat sweet corn and butter, and canned peaches, we’d Just love to have you stay for luncheon with us.” Rev. Mr. Morgan was charmed, and said so. So Prudence rushed to the kitchen, opened the peaches In a hurry, and fished out n clean napkin for their guest. Then they gathered about the table, five girls and the visiting min ister. It was really a curious sight, that table. In the center stood a tall vase of goldenrod. On either side of the vase was a great platter piled high with sweet corn, on the cob! Around the table were six plates, with the nec essary silverware, and a glass o f wa ter for each. There was also a small disli o f peaches at each place, and mi individual plate of butter. That wus all—except the napkius. But Prudeuce made no apologies. Site was a daugh ter o f the parsonage! She showed Rev. Mr. Morgan to his place as graciously and sweetly as though she were usher ing him in to u nveuty-seven-course banquet. “ W ill you return thanks, Mr. Mor gan?" she said. And the girls bowed their heads, lies. Mr. Morgan cleared his throat-, and began: “ Our Father we thank thee for this table." There was more o f the blessing, hut the parsonage girls heard not one ad ditional phri'so— except Connie, who followed him conscientiously through every word. Carol hurst into merry laughter, close upon his reverent “ Amen” — and after one awful glare at her sister. Prudence Joined lu. and soon it wus a rollicking group around the parsonage table. Mr. Morgan him self smiled uncertainly, lie wus puz zled. More, he was embarrassed. But as 6oon as Carol could get her breath, she gasped out an explunuthui. “ You were Just— right. Mr. Morgan— to give thanks— for the table! There’s nothing— on it— to be thankful fo r !” And the whole family went off once more Into peals o f laughter. Mr. Morgan had very little appetite that duy. lie did not seem to be so fond o f sweet corn as he had assured Prudence. He talked very little, too. And as soon ns possible he took his hat and walked hurriedly away, lie never railed nf the parsonage again. A few weeks after this Carol distin guished herself again, and to her Inst ing mortification. 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 grate fully accepted. This meant that every evening the twins must walk after the cow. and every morning must take her hack for the day's grazing. One evening, ns they were starting out from the meadow homeward with , the docile animal, Carol stopped and gazed at Blinkle reflectively. “ Lark," she said. “ I Just believe to my soul that I could ride this cow. She’s so gentle, and I'm such a good hand at sticking on.” - “ C arol!” ejaculated I.ark. “ T h 1 nk how It would look for a parsonage girl to go down the street riding a cow.” “ But there's no one to see,” protest ed Carol. And this was true. For the parsonage was near the edge of town, and tiie girls passed only live houses on their way home from the meadow— and all o f them were well back from the road. Lark argued and pleaded, hut Carol was firm. “ I must try it," ‘she insist ed, “ and if it doesn’t go well I can slide ofT. You can lead her, Lark.” The obliging Lark boosted her sister up. and Carol nimbly scrambled into place, riding astride. " I ’ve got to ride this way," she said. “ Cows have such funny backs I couldn’t keep on any other way. I f I see anyone coming. I’ll slide for It.” For u while all went well. Lark led Blinkie carefully, gazing about anx iously to see that no one approached. So they advanced to within two blocks of tiie parsonage. By tills time Blinkle concluded that she was being imposed upon. She shook her head violently, and twitched the rope from Lark's hand, gave a scornful toss o f her dainty head, and struck out madly for home. With great presence o f mind, Carol fell flat upon the cow’s neck, and hung on for dear life, while Lark, In terror, started out in pursuit. “ H elp! H elp !” she cried loudly. “ Pupa! Papa! P apa!" In this way they turned In at the parsonage gate, which happily stood often. As luck would have it. Mr. Starr was standing at the door with two man who had been calling on him, and hear ing Lark's frantic cries, they rushed to meet the wild procession, and had the unique experience o f seeing a parson age girl riding flat on her stomach on the neck of a galloping Jersey, with another parsonage girl in mad pursuit. Blinkie stopped beside the barn, and turned her head about inquiringly. Curol slid to tiie ground, nnd buried her face in her hands at sight o f the two men with her father. Then, with never n word, she lit out for the house at top speed. The three men sat down on the ground nnd burst into hearty laughter. Lark came upon them ns they sat thus, and I.nrk was angry. She stamped her foot with a violence that must have hurt her. “ I don’t see anything to laugh at,” she cried passionately, “ It was awful, It was Just aw ful! Carrie might have been killed t a —u —" “T ell us ull about It. Lnrk,” gasped her fattier. And i.ark dUI so, mulling a little herself, aow that her fears « e r e relieved. "Poor Carol," she said, "she’ll never live down the humilia tion. I must go ami console her." In u little while Carol telt much bel ter. But she talked It over with Pru dence very seriously. “ I hops you understand. Prudence, that 1 shall never have anything more to do with Blinkle! She can die of starvation for all I rare. I'll never take her to and from the pasture again. I couldn't do It! Such rank Ingrati tude as that cow displayed was never equaled, 1 am certain." “ 1 suppose you'll quit using milk and cream, too," suggested Prudence. “ Oh, well,” said Carol more toler antly, “ 1 don't want to he too herd on Blinkie, for after all It was partly my own fault. So l won't go that far. But I must draw the line somewhere! Hereafter Blinkle and 1 meet us strangers!" CH APTER III. The Ladies’ Aid. Now, this really was a crisis In the life o f the parsonage family. The girls had met. separately, every member of the Ladles' Aid. But this was their first combined movement u | m > ii the par sonage. and Prudence and Fairy real- lz«*d that much depemh-d on the suc cess o f the duy. As girls, the whole Methodist church pronounced the young Stnrrs charming. But as par sonage people— well, they Were obliged to reserve Judgment. And as for Pru dence having entire charge of the household. It must he acknowledged that every individual Lady looked forward to this meeting with eager ness— they wanted to “ size up” the sit uation. They were coining to see for themselves! Yes. It wus undoubtedly a crisis. “ There’ll he a crowd, of course." said Fairy. "W e'll Just leave the doors between the front rooms open.” "Yes, but we’ll c l o s e the dining room doors. Then we’ll have the refresh ments all out on the table, and when we ure ready we'll Just lling back the doors carelessly and—there you a re !" So tiie table was prettily decorated with flowers, and great plates o f sand wiches and cuke were placed upon it. In the center was an enormous punch- howl, borrowed from the Averys. full of lemonade. Glasses were properly arranged on the trays, and plies of nicely home-laundered nupklns were scattered here and there. The girls felt that the diuing room was u credit to them, anil to th* Methodist church entire. From every nook and corner o f the house they hunted out chairs nnd stools. anticipating n real run upon the parsonage. Nor vvi re they disuppolnt- “ Covvs Have Such Funny Backs.” cd. The twins and Connie were not even arrayed in their plain little ging hams, clean, before the first arrivals were ushered up Into the front bed room, ordinarily occupied by Prudence nnd Fairy. "There's Mrs. Adams nnd Mrs. Prentiss, and Mrs.— ” began Connie, listening intently to the voices in the next room. “ Yes," whispered Cnrol. "peek through the keyhole. Lnrk, and see If Mrs. Prentiss Is looking under the bed for dust.. They say she— ” “ You’d better not let Prudence catch you repeating—” “ There's Mrs. Stone, nnd Mrs. Davis, and— " “ They say ¿Mrs. Davis only belongs to the Ladles’ Aid for the sake o f the refreshments, nnd— ” “ C arol! Prudence will punish you.” “ Well, I don’t believe It,” protested Carol. “ I ’m Just tiding you what I’ve heard other people say.” “ We aren't allowed to repent gos sip.” urged Lnrk. “ No, nnd I tldnk It’s n shame, too, for it’s awfully funny. Minnie Drake told me that Mlsa Vnrne Joined the Methodist church us soon as she heard the new minister wus ti widower, so she—” “ Carol 1" Carol whirled around sharply, and flushed, and swallowed hard. For Pru dence was Just behind her. “ 1 - I I— " but she could gel no fur ther. I 'poo occasion Prudence was quite terrible. “ So I hoard.” she said dryly, but her eyes were bard. "Now run me stairs and out to the field, or to the barn, and play. And. Carol, be sure and remind me of that speech tonight. I might forget It." The girls run quickly out, Carol well lu tin- lend. "N o wedding fee for me." she mumbled bitterly. “ Somehow I Just can't help repeating— " "You don't want to," said I.nrk, not without sympathy. "You tldnk It's such fun. you know.” "W ell, anyhow. I'm sure I won’t get tiny cake tonight. It teems to me Pru dence is very harsh sometimes." "You cimi appeal to father, If you ¡ike." Do you think that Prudence is a bit too young to handle the youngsters with proper disci pline? i i n nr. h i m i M a . l > ) SUPREME IN HIS EGOTISM Man So Sure of Himself That He Suf fers Little From the Desire to Possets. Men do not, as a rule, suffer very much from the desire to possess, be cause they are so sure that they do possess, because they find It so diffi cult to conceive that their wife eaB find any other man attractive, writes W. I.. George In the Atluntlc Monthly. They nre too well accustomed to b*v lug courted, even If they are old miff repulsive, because they have power and money; only they tldnk It Is he- cause they are men. Beyond a Jealous care for their wives’ fidelity, which I suspect nrl-'S mainly from the feeling that an unfaithful w ife Is n criticism, they do not ask very much. But wom en suffer more deeply because they know that man has lavished on them for centuries a condescending admira tion: that the king who lays his crown at their feet knows that Ids Is the crown to give. While men possess by right of possession women possess! only bv right of precarious conquest. They feel It very bitterly, tills fugitive empire, nnd their greatest tragedy Is to find themselves growing n little older, uncertnln of their power, for they are afraid, ns nge comes, of los ing their man. while I have never heard of a husband afraid of losing 1 Ids wife, or able to repress Ids sur prise If she forsook him. GLASS Of SALTS CLEANS KIDNEYS If your Buck luirla or Bladder bothers you, tlrink loin j of water. ( When your kidneys hurl and your ! back feels sore, don't get scared and proceed to loud your stomach with a lot of drugs Unit excita the kidneys and Irritate the entire urinary tract. Keep your kidneys clean like you keep your bowels clean, by flushing them with u mild, harmless salts which re moves the body's urinous waste uml stimulates them to thetr normal netlv Ity. The function oí the kidneys is to filter the blood. In 2i hours they strain from it 600 grains of acid and waste, so we cun readily understand the vital Importance of keeping the kidneys active. Drink lots of water you ran t drink too much; also get from any pharma cist about four ounces of Jad Halts; tuko a tablespoonful In a glass of water before brcukfuut each morning for a few days uml your kidney» will act fine. This famous suits Is made from the acid of grapes and lemon Juice, combined with llthia. and has been used for generations to clean and stimulate elogged kidneys; also to neutralize the aebts lu urine so It no longer Is a source of Irrltutlon, thus ending bludder weakness. Jud Halts Is inexpensive; eannot In jure; mukes a delightful effervescent llthia water drink which everyone should (ako now and then to keep their kidneys clean and active Try this, also keep up the water drinking, and no doubt you will wonder what became of your kidney trouble and backache. Order. It is half pusl eight on the blossomy bush; The petals are spread for a sunning; The little gold fly Is scrubbing his faro; The spider Is nervously running To fasten a thread; the night going moth Is folding his velvet perfection; Anil presently over the clover will come The bee on a tour o f Inspection — Paul Scott Mower In Junuury C'en tury. Dr. P ierre’s Favorite Prescription makes weak women strong. Hick women oral!, no t l w M . Bold in taMsta >>r liquid. Frssh to the Bone. During his vacation a San Francisco lawyer inet an old friend In the v il lage and their conversation drifted to a discussion of the B ltlT II. A young farmer came uuder their view “ lie's a fine looking young follow," said the lawyer. “ Yee-ca,” assented his friend, du biously. "W ell, anyway, he has a mighty good head.” " It ought to be good,” was the reply. "That man's head Is brand new -he's Lesson of the Dead Nations. We can know nothing of any nation never used It any."— Rochester Times. unless we know its history; uml we Too Much Music. can know nothing of the history of I know an old fellow whoso family any notion unless we know something j of the history of all nations. The is very musical. He said to me one hook of the world is full of knowledge day: "M y eldest girl is a pianist. My son is a violinist. Jane, my second | we need to acquire, o f lessons we need daughter, is a harpist. My wife Is a ‘ to learn, of wisdom we need to nsslin- vocalist, ami my two boys, Peter and ; ilute. Consider only lids brief sentence Bill, are u flutist and a trombonist.” ! of Polybius, quoted l»y Plutarch; "In “ And you," I said, “ what are you?" ! Curthuge no one is blamed, however "M e?” said the old man. "Oh. I'm 1 In- may have gained Ills wealth.” A a pessimist.” — !■ .'»change. pleasant place, no doubt, for business Inventory Time. ‘ enterprise; a place where young men w ere taught liov to get on. and ex-! "W hat are you worrying about now. ! travngame kept pace with shrewd girlie?" "Oh. a girl never really knows how j finance. A self satisfied, self-confident, much a man loves her." money-getting, money-loving people, "Christmas, however, gives one a j honoring success, and hugging Its fun- fairly good line on the situation.” — ' eied security, while l:i far-off Rome Louisville Courier-Journal. Cato pronounced Its doom.— Ague* Reppller, in tlx- Atlantic. Unlucky 13. "D o you consider 13 at table un Remedy for Hiccoughs. lucky?" Several cures for hiccoughs will be " It is If they're all hungry and tho welcomed by many mothers. Have the turkey isn't unusually large."— Wash patient suck a lump of sugar having u ington Star. few drops o f vinegar on It. Drink a glass of water upside down. That doesn't mean to stand on your head, though it certainly sounds rather like it. Hold (lie glass of water In one' hand, lean forward and bend over the glass, tilting It away from you, and j drink from the further edge. Another remedy Is to stand faring the person hiccoughing, grasp her W h e n th e S t o m a c h , hands firmly, look steadily at her and get her to breathe evenly, keeping ¡line , L i v e r a n d B o w e ls re- with you. Or have her hold her breath and count (¡0. Or take nine gulps of b e l, a n d — cold water very slowly. AN APPEAL ' FOR FAIR P L A Y Billy Was "W ise.” Billy was sent with a note to a little shop around the corner for some cream and returned with n box of cracker Jack and some gum, whereup on Ids mother said sternly, “ Billy, did you give the man In the shop your note?” And Billy answered defiantly, “ No, I didn’t give dat man my note. I wend It myself.” According to Growth. Freddie was told Ity his father to find out the prices of seats for the circus. Freddie soon returned, breathless from hnste, nnd announced: "Twenty-flv# cents for children, nnd fifty cents for overgrown people.” R e fu s t - t o p e r fo r m th e ir retfu la r fu n c tio n s ,— P la y 1a ir,— G iv e N a tu re th e h e lp r e q u ir ed, b y t r y in g HO!¡TETTER ’S STOMACH B1TTERS