Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-03-30
Stltttt0 ssstorp.
THE MINISTER'S CHOICE.

lEG new munster WAS >ptuNiNS Nhe
afternoon at Dea. Osgoods. lie came TO
LINTON. q small town in Pennsylvania,
in February, and now it was June, and
this was the first afternoon he had spent
With The deacon and his family.
Dell O.good looked very pretty in s
drab mohair with a tiny bouquet OF vio-
let's At hel threat. and Mrs. Osgcod looked
very motherly and pleasant in her black
alpaca and rutlled white apron, and
Johnnie OsgooJ. (aged Gve) tried TO
look as 7 Deacon's son should, and the
minister ough: TO have a very pleasant
afternoon there. but he did not.
The frat Sunday be preached in Lyn-
ton. and every Sunday since, be had seen
some one in the Deacons parlor. She
was Young woman With sad eyes and
a face whereon be had never seen
smile. lie had tried all the afternoon 10
and out who she was. without seeming
curious. (he was yonng and unmarried.
you know and had tailed. This was
why he had not enjoyed his vi'it as well
as he ought to have done.
At five o'clock Mrs Osgood LEFT the
room, and soon after called Della out to
help her get tea, aud the minister was
alone with Johnnie.
so YOU are Johnnie O'gSod, are you ~
said the minister IN him. Wont you
come here and see me ?"
Il can see you from. here" answered
Johnnie.
Il hope you are q good little boy ?
said The minister smiling. "Yon ought
to be. tor you have good father and
mother. Don't you think sop
"Oh. don't know. / want to run
away, but they won't let me. My pap
tax. As II be never was little boy.
wha, do you think? This afternoon
fore YOU come. he told me if / said bully
while you was here he'd log me. Was
YOU ever little boy ?"
"Oh. yes" answered The minister.
Ain my sister Della pretty. though ?
was his next question.
VERY" said the minister.
But she's the dumbest thing The
other night wanted her to do my sums
in division Tor me. and she couldn't dc
one of 'em do You b'ieye. | made
Melissa do EN-"
"Who is Melissa"
why. she's our help, You've seer
her. She sits in our seat in church. mex
to pap. There's the bell, I'm going L
pe, and Johnnie disappeared through
the open door, and was not seen agaiG
mill after the blessing was asked at th'
well filed table.
Alter tea the Deacon turned to the min
isier and said:
MIR. Ridgely, il is our custom to have
family worship immediately alter tea
shall be glad to have yoa conduct it to
night"
The minister assented. and the Qeacoi
raised his voice and called:
Melissa"
Inst then Johnnie was seen going slyl
to The window.
Johnnie - said his mother reprovinsiy
"Johp.n said his father, ,sternly, "wher
are you going, sir?
I'm a going to GET" answered John
ME- as he Sid quickly out OF the window
and rolled over on the fresh, green grass
Then Melissa entered, and the Deacon
introduced her to the minister
mir. RidgelY," he said this Is our
sbem!-,his is Miss Melissa Perry Me
Hssa, this is Mr. Ridgely"
The minister held the little hard brow
hard IN his moment andboked at In
sweet. pale face, meek. like the Master
and .s clearly pale as white morning
GLORY, and into the sad blue e1 es' / ne
he mo,ioned her to chair next to him
and opened the Bible. He read lev
varses of one OF the "Sweet, OH Vn'P