New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-07
" LITTLE MAJESTY"
From Appleton's Literary Journal.I

Tie sexton of an Episcopal church, in a,
old.iashioned country town, was one da,
Iaborously digging in the garden plot.
which lay beside the tagged pathway lead
ing 10 the door OF the porch when he sud
denly stopped, and. looking up, called
Little Majesty"
The porch door was open. and little CIR
was playing dolls on the floor within, with
red pew-cushion for dummy neighbor
who was about to give large party. But
on hearing her name, she instantly got up
and walked to the doorway
well, Thomas" she responded. She was
speaking to her father. She had caught the
habit OF using bis Christian name from her
mother, who was now dead; but the poor
as his name thus pronounced provoked sen
satiOns of pleasure which came rarely
enough from other sources.
II am very much afraid" said the sexton,
leaning on his spade, that | have a par
ticular bad piece of news for YOU
"Oh very Well replied She sravely, at
the same time clasping her fingers together.
Il think, however, am prepared for it. l
saw the masons and two of the church
committee here yesterday. Isn't it about
the birds." She gave glance and slight
toss Of her head upward, as if indicating
something connected with the region above
her,
YES" was the answer, Il am sorry to
say it is about the birds. They have come
here regularly for many years. Here the
sexton shaded his eyes with his hands, and
looked up at the beltry. 1T seems hard to
turn them out, tor they're as much part of
the church as | am. But it was not my
work. Majesty: was in favor of letting the
ceiling go until the middle of the winter.
I'm as sorry as you are, and l shall miss
them as much
Il am afraid not" intcrpolated the little
girl. with decision; you are too old to care
Inuch for BIRDS except in pie; though l am
much obliged to you for pretending to be
sorry just because l am. 1t takes a young
person to comprehend them. father" She
waited for a moment, and then added, with
a sigh, $50 suppose had better go up and
take leave of them pretty soon, or else they
will be driven out without word of COM
fort. Only think-how should we like to be
turned out of doors to wander up and down
the streets. and TO have our house pulled
down and knocked into little pieces by cruel
giants who would Ike nothing better than
than to strike us and kill US with their
clubs, ~
Her lips quiyered while she stared straight
at her father with her eyes full OF tears. The
sexton quickly began to dig again. A few
moments after he heard some steps advanc-
ing over the hagS.
Here comes the lady and the cross man
again" said the little girl. who had been
loath to depart on the errand she had set
for herself. and who still stood in the
shadow of the porch turtively looking out.
Tue sexton at once quilted lis work and
took OFF his straw hat.
The lady. who was pale and very beauti-
full. and who was clad IN deep mourning,
quickly approached hin, while her compan-
ion, severelooking and restless man.
lOitered little behind. In her eyes there
was an expression of great anxiety; and.
notwithstanding her eagerness. she seemed
TO dread to ask her question, though she
smiled as she spoke.
Have they found it yet,
NO" replied the sexton, shaking his
head and looking down upon the walk, I'M
able to bear her look ot disappointment;
three OF lis have searched high and low IN
every nook and corner, ana there's not I,
sign of It TO be found. All The others are
there since 1903. and set regularly in a
row. But we can't find single leaf of the
book for iSJ. In s0rrv. ma am. 1t looks
to me as though somebody had spirited it
away"
Give him a little money. said the lady's
friend cynicaliy in al undertcne. She was
nervous, and aOsently folded and unfolded
the waistband of her glove, while she
looked vacanily OF toward a stretch ct
woodland in the distance. Being thus alb
sorbed, she did not hear: but the sexton did.
His floIid face grew IcGder, and he put his
straw bat Oh again.
That won't help it, sir, said he, with an
angry look; what | wouldn't do for her
self, and I'd like to know what that is I
couldn't he hired TO do for money
Elegant, by George - said the gentle
man, with laugh, adding presently, II
apologize, sexton and then, IS if having
I,.N, -
ward the lady. expecting her 20 go.
She was in tears.
"You are always crying, May" said he,
with impatlence.
II know it is weak, size returned between
her frequent sobs. but It is hard that we
and our children should suffer to the end of
our lives because only book is lost. We
can not do without it before a Judge and
what will thew say when we tell them it is
missing, VIII they not suspect us! VIII
not every one become prejEdlced against us?
1t will not seem far and lawful. Where
can | find the town clerk y She turned
suddenly to the sexton again.
He is busy hunting everywhere, ma am,
and his helper is with him, and there are
two more men looking over the papers OF
the old clerk vino died in 1870
All, then, they have not given up YETI
said the lady with a more cheerful tone
"Oh, no, returned the sexton; and then.
feeling that he must account tor ms aD-
sence from the crew of searchers. he added,
Il was with them nearly all night. and
they sent me away this morning: but am
going to try again this evening.
The lady looked at him with a grateful
surprise, and her hand quietly into his.
You must know | thank you little,
Thomas; l can not thank you enough
You see" she cried. turning to her husband.
still holding the sections awkward hand.
chat We find our best friends even when
our enemies are the most numerous. We
have few to give us good words, she said.
returning with smile TO the uncomfortable
man, land still fewer TO give Us kind acts;
and | am sure | can never, never forget
what YOU have done" She was about
stepping away from him, leaving him con
fused and entranced with her graciGusness,
when her glance fell upon the church porch.
..Ah!' she suddenly cried, there is Little
Majesty"
The child flew down the steps, and ran
toward her with Outstretcked arms. IL
was only in the presence OF this lady,
whom she loved next her father, that she
was at all likely to ignore certain Old
manner which she had acquired by beng
perpetually in the company OF her elders.
1t was in joyful moments like the present
that she acted and thought like child:
The two strolled apart and chatted to-
gether, while the sexton resumed his