The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-02-11

| tea, ana ne also tOld MN that she had 8
lot of books in her bedroom that used to
belong.o her father-he guessed there
was as many as 500, altogether.
One day the minister plucked two O,
three posies, q rose and few geranium
leaves from the widows flower-bed, and
sent the wee bouquet to Melissa by John,
ME. Johnnie told him the next day tina,
she kissed it after she thought he was
out of the room, but he peeped through
crack in the door, and saw her do it
He went to the Deacon's often after that
but he never could get chance TO talk
to her alone.
One night, when none of the family
was to prayer-meeting but her and the
Deacon, he undertook to 90 home with
her alone, but before they had gone two
squares the Deacon came putting up to
them, and talked new pulpit" until
they reached the gate.
like everything else, had ceased to be new
Martha Jamson had tried to get him, but
failed; Amarantha Peabody had tried,
and failed; Fannie Gauss had tried
and failed, and he was looked upon as
belonging to 1.-THE church."
But he was not the church's. He was
not his own. Next to the Master he
loved and served, he belonged to Melissa
Perry. But he did not know it then.
One bright October day the
knowledge came to him with its
burden of sweet hopes and tremb-
ling fears. Would Melissa take what
belongs to her? he wondered. How
could he ever find out? The Lord
through the mouth of Johnnie Osgood
told him how.
One morning he went to the widows
and stayed with the minister until the
clock struck twelve, when he caught up
mis- hat and started for home.
"Stay and eat dinner with me, John.
ME-" said the minister.
81 can't" said Johnnie; have to get.
have to wipe the dinner dishes for Me-
LISA; she's goin' to the butter-woman's
this afternoon. Why don't you 60 and
see herr"
II WILL" said the minister.
Johnnie meant the butter-woman, but
the minister meant Melissa.
He went to the butter-woman's (she
was member of his church),
and had been there an hour when
Melissa came. She wore a dark
calico dress and carried a bright
tin pail on her arm. On her way out to
the house lit was more than q mile
from the town. she saw little bunch of
scarlet berries lying in the road. There
was no bush near them; they were alone
in their warm, bright beauty, and she
picked them up and fastened them in
her dress at the neck, wondering where
they came from-just as the minister
had often wondered where she came
from. The minister saw the berries and
he forgot whether her dress was a calico
one or not.
After she purchased the butter she
took the tin pail on her arm again and
went out at the kitchen door. The min
lister saw her go and he went out at the
front door and soon overlook her and in
sisted on carrying the pail. They talked
in general way until they reached q
bit of woods through which they had to
60, and then he persuaded her to sit
down by him on an old log and rest.
Something-perhaps it was the bright
day or the Independent autumn air
made her forget that she was Deacon
Osgood's "help" and she talked unre-
STRANGELY and with an intelligence that
surprised him. At last with delicate tact
he led her to talk about herself and she
told him how her parents were both
buried on one day, leaving her penniless
and friendless, and how she had been
bound to Deacon Osgood until she was
eighteen years old.
They are kind to you, are they not?"
he asked.
ayes, they are kind, but" and she
'':PBBss r .SssPs'X zen me all about it," he
said encouragingly.
"They do not care for me-" she an
swered, with great tears in her violet
eyes. "They do not love me-and
nothing can live without care and love, -"
she added.
The minister's heart was swelling un-
der his coat but he kept very calm.
How old are your" he asked quietly.
am nineteen"
"Why not leave them? You are not
obliged to stay"
have no home, no place to 60 to-"
she answered sadly. ..-.
"Come to me-" said the minister.
She looked at him wonderingly mo-
ment, then she understood and went to
him.
When she lifted her head from it's nest
in his gray coat her eyes were glowing,
and the sweet, pale face was beautified,
TRANSPORTED.
"Where did you get that bunch of
berries?" he asked, touching it careless.
~, 40 little CLEAN of sunlight looked
through an opening in the trees and
Toasted moment ON its warmth and
brightness.
II found it lying alone in the road, and
took 1t up-as you have taken me, }" she
answered, softly.
The bright tints that were gathering
in the west warned her that supper-time
was approaching, and the minister, took
the pail of butter from it's resting place
ct the end of the log, and they were
soon at the Deacon's gate. The Deacon
was in the barn yard feeding the fowls,
snd the minister went out there. Me-
lissa went to the kitchen. Johnnie sat
on the steps with piece OF appie.pie
In his hand, and she bent down and soft
~ kissed his brown cheeks.
Have you been courtin', Melissasn
he asked, looking at her wonderingly.
bet you have, cause your eyes look
Just like Della's when Tom Riggs comes
to see her." s5 q St''
Melissa laughed, and went in the
house. y
How are you, Mr.. Ridgely!" said the
Deacon, % the minister entered the
barn-yard. 81 It has been . fine day, sir,
very fne day. How 10 the new pulpit
getting onF ss@ 81 S-'5.3'15l
have not been IN the church to-
day." answered the minister, almost i'm
patiently. came to ask you, Deacon
that u, to speak with you about Miss
Perry" 80 e :, -.
About Melissaf" asked the Deacon.
with surprise. ". + l''11'
about Melissa" answered the min
lister. ia, IA sssss,, t 4 !,
g Mr.. Ridgely,n said the Deacon with !
frightening face, / have tried to do my
duty BY that girl. pray for her morn.
ing and night It family worship, and !