Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1916 — SUSAN MAKES FIRST PRAYER [ARTICLE]

SUSAN MAKES FIRST PRAYER

Cornered by Persistent Preacher, Old Woman Blurts Out “Bless Miss May’s Big Toe.” Old Susan was greatly troubled. Miss Mary, her young mistress, was ill and suffering" terribly. As Susan expressed it, “she done got de misery eb-rywhere, but mo’ particler in de feet.” Seeking comfort and consolation, Susan had taken herßelf to prayer meeting. During the entire service the old woman’s thoughts and prayers were for the sick mistress. In an endeavor to put life and spirit into the meeting, the preacher called upon first one and then another of his congregation to testify or to pray aloud. For the first time in Susan’s life, she heard her own name called to “speak in meetin’.” Embarrassed, she tried to hide from the preacher's sight, but as she dodged back and forth behind a pair of huge, broad shoulders, the man of God likewise dodged, calling out, "Ah see yer, Sister Susan. Yer can’t hide f’um me. Testify, sister, pray de Lo’d fo’ some special blessing.” Thus cornered, Susan rose slowly to her feet. In her mind’s eye, she Btill saw the suffering mistress of her affections. “Oh, Lo’d,” she prayed from the depths of her faithful heart. “Bless Miss May’s big toe, and make it well.” And all the people said, “Amen.”