Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1881 — The Smaller Boy Took the Cue. [ARTICLE]

The Smaller Boy Took the Cue.

A jolly clergyman in Rondout, N. Y., has two sons, both bright, obedient, and well-trained lads, but mischievous and fun-loving as boys can be. It is the custom of the father to have his sons learn • versa of Scripture every day, and recite it each morning. In accordance with this custom one day the lads were called upon by their father to repeat their verses for the day. It happened to be a time when the skating was good, a sport of which all active boys are devotees, and the boys naturally burned with eager desire to be off to the frozen field. But discipline must be maintained, as they well knew, and there was no escape from the daily Scripture recitation. The elder es the boys had learned his text and was ready for the ordeal, and when asked to repeat it promptly replied: “I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness;” and he “slid out,” happy at his release. The younger lad had quite forgotten to learn his text, but his wit came to his rescue. “So would I, father,” he shouted, and off he went to join hia brother.