Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1917 — Page 3

PRUDENCE of the PARSONAGE

by ETHEL HUESTON

(Copyright, by the Bobbs-Merrill Com- - pan y.)

Miss Fairy has her first beau. She flouts the twins and they prepare to even the score in a ruthless and unforgettable manner.

Mr. Starr, a widower Methodist minister, comes to Mount Mark, la., to take charge of the congregation. He has five daughters. Prudence, the eldest, keeps house and mothers Fairy, Carol and Lark, the twins, and Constance, the “baby." The newcomers stir the curiosity of all Mount Mark, and the Ladies* Aid society loses no time in getting acquainted, asking myriad questions and offering advice that isn’t wanted. Prudence, who is nineteen, has her hands full with the mischievous twins and Connie. They have just engineered a raid on a neighboring apple orchard. As the actual" culprit, Connie Is taking punishment without telling on the twins.

CHAPTER IV.—Continued. That was* the end of supper. No one attempted to eat another bite. After the older girls Had gone Into The sitting room, Carol and Lark went about their work with stricken faces. They asked if they might speak to Constance, but Prudence went In with them to say good night to her. The twins broke down and cried as they saw the pitiful little figure with the wan and tear-stained face. They threw their arms around her passionately and kissed her many times. But they went To- bed -without saying anything. It was a sorry night for the twins. The next morning they set off to school, with no chance for anything but a brief good morning'with Connie —given In the presence of Prudence. Half-way down the parsonage walk, Carol said: “Oh, wait a minute, Lark. I left my notebook on the table.” And Lark walked slowly while Carol went rushing back. She found Prudence in the kitchen, and whispered: “Here—here’s a note, Prudence. Don’t read it until after I’ve gone to school—at ten o’clock you may read it. Will ybu promise?" Prudence laughed a little, but she promised, and laid the note carefully away to wait the appointed hour for its perusal. As the clock struck ten she went to the mantle and took It down. This Is what Carol had written: Oh, Prudence, do please forgive me, and don’t punish Connie any more. You can punish me any way you like, and I’ll be glad of it. It was all my fault. I made her go and get the apples for mie, and I ate them. Connie didn’t eat one of them. She said stolen apples would not taste very good. It was all my fault, and I’m so sorry. As Prudence read this her face grew very stern. Carol’s fault! At that moment Prudence heard someone running through the hall, and thrust the note hastily Into her dress. It was Lark, and she flung herself wildly upon Prudence, sobbing bitterly!" “What Is the matter, Lark?” she cried, really frightened. “Are you sick?” “Heartsick, that’s all," walled Lark. “I told the teacher I was sick so I could come home, but I’m not. Oh, Prudence, I know you’ll despise and abominate me all the rest~of your life, and everybody will, and I deserve it For I stole those apples myself.” Prudence was surprised and puzzled. She drew the note from hsr pocket and swe it to Lark. "Carol gave me that before she went to school,” she explained. “Bead It and tell me what you are driving at I think you are both crazy. Or maybe you are just trying to shield poor Connie.” Lark read Carol’s note, and gasped, and —burst out laughing! The. shame, the bitter weeping, and nervousness, had rendered her hysterical, and now she laughed and cried until Prudence was alarmed again. - . - , In time, however, Lark was able to explain. “We both did it” she gasped, “the Skull and Crossbones. And we both told the truth about it" prudence laughed. But. when she thought of loyal little Connie, sobbing all through the long night the tears came to her eyes again. She went quickly to the telephone and called up the school building next door to the parsonage.

“May I speak to Constance Starr, Mr. lines?” she asked. “It is very Important This Is Prudence, her sister.” And when Connie came to the telephone, she cried: “Oh, you blessed little child, why didn’t you tell me? Will you forgive me, Connie? You’re a dear, . sweet, good little darling, that’s what you are.” “Oh, Prudence!” That was all Connie said, but something in ker voice made Prudence hang up the receiver quickly, and cry bitterly! That noon Prudence pronounced judgment on the sinners, but her eyes twinkled, for Carol and Lark had scoldedeach other roundly for giving things away! "Connie should have refused to obey you,” she said gently, holding Connie in her arms. “But she has been punished more than enough. But you twins! In the first place, I right now abolish, the Skull affd Crossbones forever arid ever. And you cannot play in the barn again for a month. And you must go over to the Averys this afternoon and tell them about it, and ..pay for the apples. And you must send all of your spending money for the next month to that woman who is gathering up things for the bad little children in the reform school—that will help you remember what happens to boys and girls who get in the habit of taking things on the spur of the moment !” The twins accepted all of this graciously, except that which referred to confessing their sin to their neighbors. That did hurt! The twins were so superior, and admirable! They couldn’t bear to ruin their reputations. But Prudence stood firm, in spite of their weeping and wailing. And that afternoon two shame-faced sorry girls, crept meekly in at the Avery’s door to make their peace. “But about the Skull and Crossbones, it’s mostly punishment for me, Prue,” said Connie regretfully, “for the twins have been in it ever since we came to Mount Mark, and I never got in at all I And I wanted them to call me Lady Magdalena Featheringale.” And Connie sighed.

CHAPTER V. Lessons in Etiquette. Connie was lying flat on her back near the register. The twins were sitting on the floor near her, hearing each other conjugate Latin verbs. And Prudence, with her darning basket, was earnestly trying to get three pairs of wearable stockings out of eleven hosiery remnants. So Fairy found them as she came in, radiant and glowing. “Glorious day,” she said, glancing Impartially at her sisters. “Just glorious ! Connie, you should be out of doors this minute, by all means. Twins, aren’t- you grown up enough toL sit on chairs, or won’t your footles reach the floor ?—Babble,' Eugene Babler, you know —Is coming to spend the evening, Prudence.” The whole family came to attention at this. “Oh, goody!” cried Connie. “Let’s make taffy.” “Yes," agreed Carol with enthusiasm —Carol was always enthusiastic on the subject of something to eat. “Yes, and what else shall we have?” “You will likely have pleasant dreams, Carol,” was the cool retort. “You twins and Connie will not pjit in appearance at all. Prue will serve the refreshments, and will eat with us. Babbie and I shall spend the evening in the front room.” “The front room?” echoed Prudence. “This room is much cheerier, and more homelike.” “Well, Babbie Isn’t a member of the family, you know,” said Fairy. . _ _ “You are doing your best,” sniffed Carol. - ~ “Now you girls must understand right off that things are different here from what they were at Exmlnster. The proper thing Is To receive callers privately, without the family en masse sitting by and superintending. That’s etiquette, you know. And one must always serve refreshments. More etiquette. Men are such greedy animals, they do not care to go places where the eats aren’t forthcoming.” “Men! Are you referring to this Babbling creature now?” interposed Carol. “Ouch!” said Lark. “But won’t It be rather —poky—just sitting in the front room by yourselves all evening?” asked Prudence doubtfully, Ignoring the offended twins. “Oh, I dare say it will. But it’s the proper thing to do,” said Fairy complacently. “Wouldnt’ it be more fun to have the girls in for a little while?” persisted Prudence. "Oh, It might—but it wouldn’t be the proper thing at all. College -men do not care to be entertained by babies.” “No,” snapped Lark, “the wisdom of babies is too deep for these—these — these men in embryo.” , ? •“ This was so exquisitely said that Lark was quite restored to amiability by it “In embryo” had been added to her vocabulary that very day In the biology class, And Carol said “Ouch!” with such whole-souled admiration that Lark's spirit soared among the clouds. She had scored! “And what shall we 'serve them?” urged Prudence. “I suppose it would hardly do to —pop corn, would It?” “No, indeed. This is the first time, and we must do something extra. Babbie is all the rage at school, and the girls are frantic with jealousy because I have cut everybody else out.” . “Do youJike him, Fairy? Don’t you think he’s tiresome? H 6 talks so much, it seems to mes ..L “To be sure I like fun. He’s always .joking and never has a sensible thought, and hates study. The only reason he canje here

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

instead of going to. a big college in the East is because his father is ■ trustee.” “Well, well serve oyster stew then. Now, will you twins run downtown for the oysters?” asked Prudence briskly. “Who? Us?” demanded Lark, indignantly and ungrammatically. “Do you think we can carry home oysters for this Babbling young prince? Not so! Let Fairy go after the oysters!” “Oh, yes, twlnnles, I think you’ll go, all right. Run along, apd be quick.” For a few seconds the twins gazed at each, other studiously. Neither spoke. Without a word, they went upstairs to prcpare~rdr tlretr errand. They whispered softly going through the upper hall. "Twins! You must hurry!” This was Prudence at the bottom of. the stairs. And the twins set off quite hurriedly. Their first call was at the meat market. “A pint of oysters,” said Lark briefly. - ' >■- _ When he brought them to her, she smelled them suspiciously. Then Carol smelled. “Have you got any rotten ones?” she demanded. “No,” he answered, laughing. “We don’t keep that — The twins sighed and hurried next door to the grocer’s. “A nickel’s worth of pepper——the strongest you have.” , This was quickly settled —and the grave-faced twins betook themselves to Hie corner drug store. “We—we want something with a perfectly awful smell,” Lark explained soberly. “What kind of a smell?” “We don’t care what kind, but it must be like something rotten or dead, if you have it.” “What do you want it for?” “We want to put it in a room to give it a horrible smell for an hour or so.” Lark winked at him solemnly. “It’s a joke,” she further elucidated. "I see.” His eyes twinkled. “I think I can fix you up.” A moment later he handed her a small bottle. “Just sprinkle this over the carpet. It won’t do any harm, and It smells like thunder— It costs a quarter." Carol frowned. “I suppose we’ll have to take it," she said, “but it’s

“A Nickel’s Worth of Pepper.”

pretty expensive. I hate to have druggists get such a lot of mopey.” He laughed aloud. “I hate to have you get a good licking tomorrow, too — but you’ll get it just the same, or I miss my guess.” When the twins arrived home Fairy was just putting the candy she had made. '“lt’s delicious," she said to Prudence. “Here’s a nice dishful for you and tho girls. Pitch in twins, and help yourselves. It’s very nice.” The twins waved her haughtily away. “No, thank you,” they said. “We couldn’t eat that candy with relish. We are unworthy.” Then they went upstairs, but not to their own room at once. Instead they slipped noiselessly into the front bedroom, and a little later Carol came out into the hall and stood listening at the head of the stairs, as though on guard. “Be sure and leave quite a few stitches in, Lark,” she whispered once. “We want It to hang together until Babbie gets here.” That was all. , Presently Lark emerged, and their own door closed behind them. “It’s a good thing father has to go to the trustees’ meeting tonight, isn’t it?” asked Carol. And Lark agreed, absently. She was thinking of the oysters.

Do you think that Fairy, knowing the twins, will thwart their plan to embarrass her?

(Tt> BE CONTINUED.)

High Honor Deserved.

The father of the lifeboat in America was James Francis, who was born In Boston In 1801. He died in Washington ip 1893. Three years before his death congress voted him a medal of pure gold, said to be the largest and finest ever given by this government to any individual. It was presented to hhnwttb appropriate ceremonies p.t the White House by President Harrison and is now on exhibition at tht National museum Ln Washington.

TARDY SOLDIERS ARE HARD TO HANDLE

“Conscientious Objectors’ 1 Find Difficult Time in Their Army Life. CRUELTY AMONG CHARGES Four Non-Commlssloned Officers Are Tried .Before Courtmartial and New Light Is Thrown on ManMr of Drilling.— London. —Much trouble is being experienced by the British military authorities In the handling of that particular variety of British recruits who call themselves “conscientious objectors.” The term itself Vvas originated by Mr. Asquith at the time when as prime minister he introduced into the house of commons the famous conscription bill. It will be recalled thatln announcing the fact that ail British subjects' between the ages of eighteen and forty-one would be compelled to join the colors Mr. Asquith included among those who would be exempted men who could prove that they had a “conscientious objection” to carrying arms or to taking life. In the course of the last year a large number of those “conscientious objectors” have claimed exemption, and while very few have been successful in winning dispensation from military service the majority have been incorporated in special regiments which are used abroad or In England for special labor, which, although not involving the carrying or the use of arms. Is of national importance in connection with Use The officers who have been placed in charge of these special units have been experiencing a considerable amount of trouble In the handling of these men. and a great number of the insubordinates have been courtmartialed and sentenced to prison terms. The latest case to come before the public is that of four non-commissfon-ed officers, whq were brought before a courtmartial en charges of illtreating private soldiers of the battalion. The case is particularly interesting inasmuch as it throws a new light on the manner in which the drills for new recruits take .place. . . :

111 Treatment Charged. The cases arose out of allegations of 111 treatment made by Charles Dukes and George Beardsworth, who are “conscientious objectors,” at the time of their trial for disobedience of tailltary orders._J|, .war office inquiry into the case of these then followed, with the result that the non-commissioned officers Implicated were ordered to be tried by courtmartial. The accused were Corporal Thomas Cheers, Lance Corporal J. W. A. Williams, Lance Corporal J. W. Williams and acting Sergeant Fred Marshall. The first to be tried was Marshall, and he was charged with Illtreating a soldier in Birkenhead Park on August 22 last by forcibly compelling Private Charles Dukes to execute certain gymnastic exercises and that in doing so he used unnecessary violence, thereby causing pain and suffering to Private Dukes. —Cnptnln Rimmer said that in spite of the refusal of witnesses who had given evidence at the Inquiry to attend that court Brigadier General Edwardes had directed that the court must be held, although it was as a result of the statements of these witcojnmissioned Tffleers were preferred. On being brought before the commanding officer in order that he might take a summary of their evidence Dukes and Beardsworth refused to give evidence. They had been summoned to that courtmartial and had emphatically refused to attend.

Witnesses Tell Story. Eight civilian witnesses had been subpenaed and from two of these letters had been received stating that they declined to attend. Under these circumstances he would proceed with what evidence he had and would call Corporal Baker, who was the gymnastic instructor of the regiment and who would identify the prisoner Marshall as the man who handled Dukes and Beardsworth on the occasions named and who must have illtreated them if such ill treatment did occur. Corporal Robert Baker gave evidence to the effect that he was in Birkenhead Park on August 22 In charge of the gymnastic party. Private Charles Dukes was brought to him for training by the accused and Corporal J. W. Williams and he was put through the gymnastic exercises, assisted by those two. Samuel Lindop of Arthur street. Birkenhead, spoke of being in the park watching the gymnastic exercises. He saw four soldiers told off to shove another one about, but he could not Identify the man who was being shoved about. The man was rushed .up to the vaulting pole and then rushed to the water jump, where he was partly thrown in. The soliliers were knocking him about, but he could not identify any of them. Arthur C. Berry of Frederick street, Latchford, Warrington, trade union branch secretary of the National Union of General Workers, said he saw Dukes on August 24 and he was In a very distressed condition. Indeed, It was- practically impossible for him to express-hnnselL- Three days later he saw the Injuries on the lower part of <he Legs and ankles as well as eras bruises ori the arms. The Injures suggested that he had been thrown about roughly. This closed the evl-

I ' denes on the first charge. The second charge, of illtreatlng George Beards- 1 worth, was then proceeded with. Wife Tells Her Story. Lilian Beardsworth said she was in Birkenhead Park on August 31. She was standing near the water fountain and saw her husband being taken over the obstacles. He refused to go over the vaulting horses, so they threw him over. At the water Jump he refused, arid they threw him partly into ter. This was repeated at the inclined plane. When an officer said L “Stand clear!" and the man fell. After several attempts they dragged him CO the top end. doubled him up and he fell head over heels. They then threw him over the esealading board, which was about seven feet high, like a sack, and he was caught on the other side. For the defense Bussell Roberts called Corporal Williams, who said that on August 21, when Duke was alleged to have been in the park, he was scrubbing floors. Counsel contended that there was no evidence on the first charge. The accused, giving evidence on the second count, described what took place with regard to Beardsworth. He refused to do the drills or go over the obstacles, and therefore witness acting under orders assisted him over. In doing sa no more violence than necessary was used than in dealing with a man who was resisting. Beardsworth was not pushed into the water nor was he struck or kicked. A foreman shipwright gave evidence that he saw Beardsworth being com-

NEW GERMAN GAS ATTACKS ARE UNSEEN

Invisible Asphyxiating Fluid Tried Against French Trenches on Western Front.

SMELL GIVES FIRST WARNING Men Are Often Overcome Before Realizing Their Peril—Water Condenses New Gas Into Visibility—Masks Are Effective. Paris.—A new asphyxiating gas, deadlier than any ever used before, and also having the quality of invisibility, is being used by the Germans on the western front. To date the gas has not been used in any heavy attacks, and for this reason the French officials believe that it is still in its experimental stages. However, small emissions of the gas have been tried by the Germans with striking effects, although counter-attacks have always enabled the French to retake the trenches they evacuated. _ The first warning of the new invisible gas is the smell. There is no wave of gray-green vapor rolling toward the trenches; but water condenses it into visibility, and in the sectors of the front where it has been used the pollus have provided shallow ditches of water in front of their trenches to give them warning of the gas. Crumple Up and Fall. Those who have experienced the new gas and lived to describe it assert that the first few inhalations of it do not produce the strangling suffocation that the old visible gas did. On the contrary, the new gas has a sickening, sweetish smell, and a man may fill bis lungs with it «everaLtlme&. before realizing what tt-is. The effect then is to cause the person to crumpld up and

SHORTAGE IN HAIRPINS

Not the least of war’s hardships for the fair sex Is the recent order of the allied governments prohibiting the manufacture or sale of hairpins. This measure, brought about by the nations’ desire to conserve all metal resources for the prosecution of the war, has compelled woman to use her inventive genius or “go in braids.” ' How successful she has .been in designing a coiffure making hairpins unnecessary is shown by the photograph. A French ladvlshereshownwith her hair charmingly and securely done entirely without the use of hairpins.

pulsorlly drilled. 'Considering that the man was resisting all the time be was not forcibly.handled. Police Sergeant Hactarton stated that he saw the proceedings in the park on the date named in the charge. He said Beardsworth was not llltreated. He was not in a state of exhaustion and was not bleeding from a wound in the face. Russell Roberts said that Beardsworth had been a champion of the inalienable right of the British soldier to be courtmartialed and have his case heard, but he had been the first to deny that right to his clients. But for the witnesses who had been subpenaed these charges would have broken down because of their own" weight, anil it would have been possible that the men would have been under a cloud for many months. Captain Rimmer objected to the prejudice which had been introduced by Mr. Roberts. It was not the duty of a non-commissioned officer to use unnecessary force in carrying out his duty. Tlte prLsoner Marshall.was remanded for the court to consider its decision. J. W. Williams was charged with illtreatlng Dukes by forcibly cutting his hair and in doing so using unnecessary force, thereby causing pain and suffering to Dukes. Cheers was charged with throwing a kitbag at the man. Both pleaded net guilty, and owing to the refusal of the witnesses of the fact to give evidence the prosecutor intimated that he was not in a position to proceed with the charge, and the prisoners were found not guilty and discharged.

fall; he has not the strength to tr" to run away. Like the old visible gas, the new gas is much heavier than air, and therefore rolls into the trenches and abrls. Once asphyxiating gas finds its way into a wind-protected spot, such as. the angle of a trench, it takes days for it to disseminate Itself. It even “hangs” to barbed wire for hours. Frequently men have been “gased” by entering a portion of a trench 72 hours after the gas waves had rolled into it. Rain does much to beat down and break up the gas clouds, however. The hew French gas masks are as effective against the invisible gas as against the old gas.

HARVARD KILLS OFF RATS

College Doing Utmost to Safeguard the Health of Its Students. Boston.—Harvard Is doing its utmost to keep its students fit Recently a campaign against rats was concluded, so that if there was any possibility that they were the carriers of Infantile paralysis, its rav« ages at Harvard would be reduced to the utmost minimum. To further safeguard the students, the raw milk in all of the university dining halls, at the training tables, and_as far as posslble in all the eating places in Cambridge Is being pasteurized. The water used In all thes* places is examined almost dally. Melville C. Whipple, sanltary lnspector at Harvard, Is also watching the various other food supplies, methods of service and makes frequent examinations of conditions under which food Is served. All food handlers as far as possible are examined for th* presence of contagious disease.

WOMAN ATTACKED BY FOX

Going to the Rescue of Her Pet Cat, New Jersey Woman Is Bitten Twice. Paterson, N. J. —Mrs. L. B. Smith reported to the police that she was attacked and bitten by a fbx when she attempted to rescue a pet cat in the darkness in her dooryard. A strip of flesh was torn from her arm. Hearing the cat’s cries late in the night, Mrs. Smith went Into the yard and saw the pet in the rays of the window lamp in a grapple with the fox. She tried to frighten the fox away, but the Intruder only tightened his grip on the cat Mrs. Smith, grabbing him by the neck, tried to drag the fox away, but he turned and bit her twice, digging his teeth through the flesh of her left arm below the elbow. i Undaunted, Mrs. Smith seized a stick and drove the fox away. A physician attended her injuries.

SAVE $465,000 ON HIGHWAYS

Use of Convicts on Colorado Rdada Results in Big Saving to the State. Denver, Colo. —Approximately $465.000 was saved to Colorado in the last two years in the construction of 145 miles of roads, by convicts, according to Thomas Tynan, warden of the stat* penitentiary. This amount represents the difference between what the roads actually would have cost under contract and what was actually paid the institution at the rate of 35 1-3 cents a -day for each convict’s cost. Many of the roads were cut out ol solid rock in the hills for scenic higtb difficult and wonderful pieces of construction being in the canyons of th£ Grand river. bea® Glenwood Springs, and the Cache 1< Poudre river, west of Fort Collins.