DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD; DAKOTA CITY, NEBRASKA.
- I II I M-rf
J"
ZDIXUDE-N
OF THE PAIbJON
3y
ETHEL HUESTON
JIXUSTRATTD BY
V.C .'i'ANNLR
ulltMwshs 'gs-.
(Copyright, by Iho Uobbs-Marrlll Company )
MR. STAHR, a widower
Methodist minister, has
been assigned to the con
gregation at Mount Mnrk, Iowa,
lie anil Ills daughter, Pru
dence she Is nineteen, and the
eldest of live girls hnvo come
on ahead to get the new parson
age ready for the younger mem
hers of the family. Of course
the whole town, especially the
Methodists, Is throbbing with
curiosity ahout the newcomers.
Mrs. Adams, a member of the
Ladles' Aid society, hurried over
to call on Prudence, ami nosing
around found the girl on her
Itnees praying In the barn. So
she began at once to "pump"
the girl for all she was worth
It would be great stuff to tell
the neighbors and is still at It.
CHAPTER I Continued.
o
Hut to return to tiie Ladles the par
sonage girls always capitalized the La
riles of their father's church "One of
us should go and help the dear child,"
r.ald Mrs. Scott, the president of the
Aids, when they assembled for their
business meeting, "help her, and wel
come her, and advise her."
"I was thinking of going over," bald
one, and another, and several others.
"Oh, that will not do at all," said the
president. "I think in a case like this
the president herself should repiescnt
the society. Therefore, I will under
take this duly for you."
Hut this called forth a storm of pro
test and it became so clamorous that It
was nnolliclully 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 LuJy of the Aid
v.uh envying her I
"Now, Just be real sociable and tell
mo all about yourself, and the others,
too," urged Mrs. Adams. "I want to
lenow all about every one of you. Tell
me everything."
i"There Isn't much to tell," said Pru
riehce, smiling. "There nru live of lis;
I am the oldest I am nineteen. Then
conies Fairy, then the twins, and then
the baby."
"Arc the twins boys, or n boy and a
girl?"
''Neither," said Prudence, "they are
both girls."
".More girls I" gasped Mrs. Adams.
"And the baby?"
"She Is u girl, too." And Prudence
laughed. "In short, wo are all girls
except father. Ho couldn't be, of
course or I suppose he would, for our
family docs seem to run to girls."
"Prudence Is a very nice name for
ft minister's daughter," snld Mrs. Ad
nms suggestively.
"Yes for fcomo ministers' daugh
ters," assented Prudence. "Hut Is sad
ly unsuitable for me.','
Mrs. Adams looked critically at this
young daughter of the parsonage.
Then her eyes wandered down to her
clothes, and lingered, In silent ques
tioning, on Prudence's dress. It was
a very peculiar color. In fact, It was
no color at all no named color. Pru
dence's eyes bad followed Mrs. Ad
Jims' glance, and she spoke frankly.
"I Mipposo you're wondering If this
lress Is any color I Well, I think it
really Is, but It Isn't any of the regu
lar shades. It Is my own Invention,
but I've never named It. Fairy grew
up and out and around, and one day
when I was so nearly out of clothes I
bardly felt I could attend church any
more, she Suggested that I cut an old
one of hers down for niel At first 1
laughed, and then I was Insulted. Fairy
Is three years younger than I, and
before then she had got my handed
downs. Hut now the tables were
turned. From that time on Fairy's
clothes were cut down for mo. I still
feel bitter about It. Fairy Is dark, and
rinrk bluos aro becoming to her. She
bunded down this dress It was dark
Iriuo then. Hut I was not wanting a
lark blue, and I thought It would be
loss recognlzublo if I gave It n contrasting-
color. I chose lavender. I
dyed It four times, and this was the re
sult." "Do the twins dress alike?" inquired
Mrs. Adnms, when sho could control
her voice.
"Yes unfortunately for Connie.
They do It on purpose to escape the
handed-downs J They won't even huvi
hair ribbons different. And the result
Is that poor Connie never gets one
now thing erccpt shoos. She says she
cannot help thanking the Lord In her
prayers that all of us outweur our
shoos before we can outgrow thorn.
Connie Is only nine. Fairy Is slxteon,
and the twins ure thirteen. They are
a very clever lot of girls."
"And what are you going to do?" In
quired Mrs. Adams, looking with reul
affection at the bright, sweet face.
"You ought to go to school. You're
Dust a girl yourself."
"I don't want to go to school,"
laughed Prudence. "Not any more. I
like It, Just tuktug caro of father and
fHl
tJL
rtl Wi IlllHiiin !
HI KlinJilnlil
l wm
the girls with Fairy
auced 1 I read, hut
to keep me bal
I do not like to
study. No, you'll have
with me Just the way I
to gel along
am, Mrs. Ad
ams. It's all I can do to keep things
going now, without spending half the
time dreaming of big things to do In
the future."
"Don't you huvo dreams?" gasped
Mrs. Adams. "Don't you have dreams
of the future? Girl's In books nowa
days dream "
"Yes, I dream," Interrupted Pru
rience, "I dream lots but It's mostly of
what Fairy and others will do when I
get them properly raised. You'll like
the girls, Mrs. Adams, I know you will.
They njally are a gifted little bunch
except me. I'm Just common little Pru
dence of the Parsonnge but the oth
ers!" And Prilrienco Hung out
hands dramatically.
her
CHAPTER II.
The Rest of the Family.
It was Saturday morning when the
four young parsonage girls arrived In
Mount Mark. The elderly Misses Avery,
next door, looked out of their windows,
pending their appearance on Main
street, with Interest and concern. They
were Episcopalians themselves, and In
all their long lives they had never so
much as heard of a widower-rector
with live daughters and no housekeep
er. There was something blood-curdling
In the hare idea.
The Misses Avery considered Pru
dence herself rather a sweet, silly
little thing.
"You huvo some real nice people in
the Methodist church," Miss Dora had
told her. "I dare say you will flutl a
few of them very likable."
"Oh, I will like them nil," said Pru
dence quickly and seriously.
"Like them all," echoed Miss Dora.
"Oh, Impossible!"
"Not for us," said Prudence. "We
are used to it, you know. When wo
dislike peoplo at llrst sight, we visit
them, and talk to them, and Invite
them to the parsonage, and entertain
them with our best linen and sllver-
l ware, and keep on getting friendlier
ami iricmincr, ami nisi imng you
know, we like them line!"
So the Misses Ave: concluded that
Prudence was not entirely responsible.
And they wondered, with something
e.kln to an agonj of fear, If the younger
girls "had It, to.)!" and when Miss
Alice cried excitedly, "Quick I Quick I
They are coming!" they trooped to
Miss Alice's window with a speed that
would have done credit to the parson
age girls themselves.
First came the minister, whom they
know very well by this time, and con
stricted quite respectable. lie was
lively, as was to be evpected of a
Methodist minister, and told Jokes,
and laughed at them I Now, a comical
rector oh, a very different matter
It wasn't done, that's all I At any rate,
here came the Methodist minister,
laughing, and on one side of him
tripped a small, earnest-looking maid
en, clasping his hand, and gazing alter
nately up Into his face and down at
the stylish cement sidewalk beneath
her feet. On tho other side was Fairy.
The Misses Avery know the girls by
I name already having talked much
I with Prudence.
"Such a Fairy!" gasped Miss Mllll
cent, and the others echoed the gasp
but wordleshly.
For Fairy was very nearly as tall
as her father, built upon generous
lines, rather commanding In appear
ance, n little splendid-looking. Even
from their windows they could discern
something distinctly Junolike In this
slxtocu-ycni-iild girl, with the easy,
elastic btrlrie that matched her fa
ther's, and the gtaceful head, well ear
ned. A young goddess named Fairy i
Hehlnd them, laughing and chatter
ing, Ilko three children, as they were
came the twins with Prudence, each
with an arm around her waist. And
Prudence was a very little tailor than
they. When they reached the fence
that botdered tho parsonage, the scene
for a moment resembled a miniature
riot. The smaller girls Jumped and
exclaimed, and clasped their hands.
Fulry leaneri over the fence, and
stared Intently at this, their parsonage
home. Then tho serious little girl
scrambled under tho fence, followed
elosoly by the lithe-limbed twins. A
pause, a very short one and then Pru-
I rienec, too, was wriggling beneath the
fv'iice.
"Hold tho wlro up for me, papa!"
ci led Fairy. "I'm too fat." And a sec
ond later sho was running gracefully
ncrons the lawn toward tho parsonage.
Tho Methodist minister laughed boy
ishly, and placing his hands on the
fence post, ho vaulted lightly over,
and reached the house with his daugh
ters. Then the Misses Avery, school
teachers and elderly, looked at one an
other. "Did you ever?" gasped the oldest
Miss Avery, and tho others slowly
shook their heads.
Now, think I Did you over see a rec
tor Jumping a three-wire fence, and
running full speed across his front
,jrd In pursuit of u tljing funilly? It
may possibly hnvc occurred we hnvo
never seen It. Neither hail tho three
Misses Avery. Nor did they ever ex
pect to. And If they bad seen It, It
Is quite likely they would have Joined
the backsliders at that Instant.
Hut without wasting much time on
this gruesome thought, they hurried
to n window cominnnding the best view
of the parsonage, ami raised It. Then i
they clustered behind the curtains, and j
watched and listened. There was
plenty to near I From the parsonage
windows came the sound of scamper
ing feet and banging doors. Oncu there
was the unmistakable clatter of a chair
overturned. With It all there was a
constant chorus of "Oh, look!" "Oil 1
Oh I" "Oh, bow sweet !" "Oh, papa I"
"Oh, Prurience 1" "Look, Lurkle, look
at this!"
Then the eldest Miss Avery closed
the window overlooking the parsonago
anil confronted her sisters.
"We must just make the best of It,"
she said quietly.
Hut next door the grny old parson
age was full to overllowlng with satis
faction and happiness and love. Every
on'vlins experienced the ecstatic, creepy
sensation of sleeping In a brnnd-new
home. The parsonage girls reveled In
the memory of that llrst night for many
days. "It may be haunted for all wo
know," cried Carol riellclously. "Just
think-, Connie, there may bo seven
ghosts camped on the head of your bed,
waiting "
"Carol I" ,
When tho family gathered for wor
ship on that llrst Sabbath morning,
Mr. Starr said, as he tinned tho leaves
of his well-worn Hible, "I think it
would be well for you to help with tho
moi'nlng worship now. When I finish
reading the chapter, Connie, you will
make the llrst prayer. Just pray for
whatever jou wish as you do at night
for yourself. T will follow you."
Connie's eyes were wide with respon
sibility during the reading of the chap-
"Quick! They Are Coming!"
tor, but when she began to speak her
voice dltl not falter. Connie had nine
years of good Methodist experience
back of her!
"Our Father, who art In heaven, wo
bow ourselves before thy footstool In
humility and reverence. Thou art our
God, our Creator, our Savior. Hless ui
this day, and cause thy face to shlno
upon us. Hlot out our transgressions,
pardon our trespasses. Wash us, that
we may be whiter than snow. Hide
not thy face from the eyes of thy
children, turn not upon us In wrath.
Pity us, Loul, as we kneel here pros
trate before thy majesty and glory.
Let the words of our mouths and tha
meditations of our hearts bo accept
able In thy sight, O Lord, our strength
and our llotleenior. And finally save
us, an uuhi oken family around thy
throne In heaven, for Jesus' sake.
Amen."
This was followed by an electric si
lence. I'riKlence was biting her Hpq
painfully, and counting by tens as fast
as &ho could. Fairy was mentally go
ing over tho prayer, sentence by sen
tence, and attributing each petition
to the Individual member In the old
chin eh at Exmlnster to whom It be
longed. Tho twins were a little
nmazori. and quite proud. Connie was
an honor to the parsonage but they
wero concerned lest they theiusihes
should not do quite so well when their
days came.
Hut In less than a moment the minister-father
began his prayer. When
ho said "Amen," Prudence was on her
feet and half-way upstairs before the
others wore fairly risen. Fairy stood
gazing Intently out of the window for
a moment, and then went out to tho
barn to see If the horse was through
eating. Mr. Starr walked gravely and
soberly out tho front door, and around
the house. He run Into Fairy coming
out the kitchen door, and they glanced
quickly at each other.
"Hurry, papa." she whispered; "you
can't hold In much longer 1 Neither
can 1 1"
And together, choking with laugh
ter. they hurried Into tho barn and
gave full vent to their feelings.
Doesn't it seem that the happy-go-lucky
houseful of parsonage
fllrls will win tho friendship of
the Avery spinsters and tear
away the barrier of snobbishness
and reserve which hedges them
In?
(TO DB CONTINUED.)
Mil U AK vni
Wlvl?iH SI "BBS"
Un j JULIA BOTTOMLEYl PWUih
Made for Youthful Wearers
The stjle-wise manikin Is busj pa
rading the newest thing in one-piece
gowns lief ore the practiced eves of
buyers of ready-made dresses. First,
lie wonders how she gets into them;
next, he wonders why she ever wears
(inythlng different, and finally lie buys.
Shortly you will be doing likewise, for
the oue-plece frock has made a hit
with matron and maid.
The model shown here Is designed
for a miss who has arrived at the dig
nity of sixteen years, at least, or
progressed somewhat beyond. It mny
bo successfully made of any of the
light-weight woolen fabrics, as serge,
gaberdine, broadcloth, and other
weaves. It Is very effective made In
stnnll black-and-white shepherd's
check, nnri trimmed with black braid
lilsteari of embroidery.
When She Goes Bicycling
Clothes omhII.v suited to their use
are sure to posevs distinction, be-
cause this Is one of the elements of
good stle. Now that everybody goes
bicycling, costuinors have bent their
fertile minds upon togs for the wheel,
and have turned out such altogether
fetching creations that the sportswom
an .lotos upon them. It Is enough to
tempt one to live out of doors all the
time, when comfort and beauty are
combined as they nre In sports clothes.
From top to toe the lariy who smiles
nt life. In the nceompiinvlng picture,
Is dressed as she should be. Her suit
comprises three pieces, knickerbock
ers, coat, and skirt. She wears golf
stockings and low-heeled, bronri-toed
calfskin shoes. Her hat is close lil
ting, a smart shape with biini enough
to shade the ejes. It Is of a light-colored
velour, trimmed with u scarf of
soft silk.
While on the subject of sports hats
a new, rainproof fabric which Is dou
ble faced merits mention. It looks
I Hue a thin leather on one side and n
This dress looks too simple to need
description, and It Is simple, but less
so thnn n glance conveys. It has a
lilted lining under the waist, which
supports tho skirt and holds tho waist
In position.
A plaited anil shirred panel is let
into the plain, straight-hanging skirt
at each side.
The bodice Is gathered into a licit
and fastens along the shoulder and un
der arms with snap fasteners. The
sleeves aro large and gathered at tho
wrists Into a narrow band. The easy
turnover collar, faced with white, Is
of exactly the right character for u
frock of this design.
Embroidery in rich colors brightens
the bodice, girdle, nnri sleeves, and a
little band of It appears on the panels
In the skirt.
satin on the other. It Is used in hats
Intended for motoring, or any other
sport. Then there are hats crocheted
of a patented braid. They aro beauti
ful anil comfortable, clinging' to tho
head like a glove to the hand.
The wheel suit shown In the picture
Is made of serge In shepherd's check,
ami depends upon hone buttons for Its
rici iiiutlou. The coat Is marie with a
stt In bit of the material, and is pro
vided with patch pockets. The wide
sailor collar Is faced with satin. Plain
coatsleeves are finished with deep
cutis with a pointed turueri-biick flap
at the top fastened down with a but
ton. The knickers are Just plain
knickers, with nothing to distinguish
them from any others. The skirt Is
perfectly plain, (Its -monthly about tho
hips, nnri is Just full enough to allow
a comfortable stride. When the fair
bicyclist abandons her wheel to walk,
take tea. or otherwise disport herself,
Hhe may fasten It at tho front, for It
I furnished with buttons and button
holes fi-r that purpose.
Gently cleanse your liver and
sluggish bowels while
you sleep.
Got a 10-cont box.
Sick headache, biliousness, dizzi
ness, coated tongue, foul taste and foul
breath always traco them to torpid
llvor; delayed, fermenting food in tho
bov ols or sour, gassy stomach.
Poisonous matter clogged In the In
testines, instead of being cast out
of tho syntcm is rc-absorbod Into tho
blood. When this poison reaches thG
dollcato brain ti3suo It causes con
gestion and that dull, throbbing, sick
ening headache.
Cascarcts Immediately cleanso the
stomach, rcmovo the sour, undigested
food and foul gases, take tho excess
bilo from tho liver and carry out all
tho constipated wasto matter and
poisons in the bowels.
A Cascarot to-night will surely
straighten you out by morning. They
work whilo you sleep a 10 cent box
from your druggist moans your head
clear, stomach sweet and your llvor
and bowels regular for months. Adv.
Tho working force of the Hritlsh
navy afloat and ashore, Includes inoro
than 1.000.000 men.
Pimples, boils, carbuncles, dry up and
disappear with Doctor Pierce's Go'.dco
Medical Discovery. In tablets or liquid.
Adv.
In the Lead.
"Now, I see that America leads In
breeding dogs."
"Hurrah for the American eagle."
"Also tho American bengle." Louis
ville Courier-Journal.
CUTICURA COMPLEXIONS
Are Usually Remarkably Soft and
Clear Trial Free.
Make Cuticura Soap your cvery-day
toilet Soap, and assist It now and then
as needed by touches of Cuticura Oint
ment to soften, soothe and heal. Noth
ing better to make the complexion
clear, scalp free from dandruff and
hands soft and white.
Frco sample each by mall with Book.
Address rostcard, Cuticura, DepL L,
Boston. Sold everywhere. Adv.
Woman Soldier Lived to Be 108.
There is a tombstone In St. Nicho
las' churchynrd, Brighton, to a woman
soldier. It Is erected to the memory
of Phoebe Hessol, who was born In
Stepney In the year 1713, and states:
"She served for many years as a
private soldier In the Fifth Regiment
of Foot In different parts of Europe,
and In the year 1754 fought under tho
command of tho duke of Cumberland
at tho battle of Fontenoy, where sho
received a. bayonet wound In the arm.
Her long life, which commenced In tho
time of Queen Anne, extended to tho
reign of George IV, by whoso muni
licence she received comfort and sup
port In her last years. She died nt
Brighton, where sho had loug resided,
December 12, 1821, aged one hundred
and eight years."
No Precaution Neglected.
The little son of a clergyman recent
ly appeared at breakfast with distinct
evidences of a lmstily made toilet
"Why, Edmund," his mother remon
strated, "I believe you forgot to brush
your hair!"
"I was In such a hurry to get to
school," he explained.
"I hope you didn't forgot to sny
your prayers?" sho asked anxiously.
"No, slrreol" was the emphatic as
surnnco ; "that's ono thing I never for
get. Safety llrst I" Harper's Maga
zine. Contrary Methods.
"How are you going to learn to drlvo
our motor car?"
"I am going to employ n conch."
Drinkin
Coffee,
You
Should
Consider
Whether
Or Not It Is
Harmful
"There's a Reason" for
FOSTUM
V
V
!
(
