Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-03-30

One morning Johnnie went to the Wild
ow's and stayed with the minister until
the clock struck twelve. when he caught
up his hat and started for home.
Stay and eat dinner with me. John
n.y." said the minister.
IL can't said Johnnie; II have TO get.
have TO wipe the dishes for Melissa,
she's goin' TO The butter womAn's this
afternoon Why don't you go and see
her?"
81 will" snid The minister.
Johnnie meant the bGtter.wOman, but
the minister meant Melissa.
lie went TO the butlcr-woman's( she
was 4 member of his church and had
been there an hour when Melissa came.
She wore dark calico dress aud carried
bright tin pail on her arm. On her
way out to the houseOt was more than
q mile from the town. she saw little
bunch Of scarlet berries lying near the
road. There was no bush near them !;
they were alone in their warm. bright
beauty, and she picked them up and las
tened them in her dress at the neck,
wondering where they came lrom-inst
as the minister had often wondered
where she came from. The minister
saw the berries, and he forgot whether
her dress was calico or not.
After she purchased the butter she
took the tin pail on her arm again and
went ont at the kitchen door. The min
ister saw her 90. and he went out at the
from. door and insisted on carrying the
pail. They talked in a general way un-
ul they reached biz of woods through
which they had to %. and then he per-
sualel her 10 sit down by him on m old
log and rest. Something perhaps 1t was
the bright day or The independent aut
umn air-madc her forget that she was
Deacon Osgoods 'help." and she talked
unreslraincdly with au Intelligence that
surprised him. At last with delicate tact
he lead her 10 talk ol herself, and she
told him how both her parents were bur
led ON Que dag, leaving her pennies
and iiendless, and how she had been
bound to Deacon Osgood until she was
eighteen years old.
They are kind 10 you. are they no;?'
he asked.
Yes they are kind. but" and she
stopped abruptly.
But what? Tell me all about it. he
said eneouragingly.
They do not care Tor me-" she ans.
wered with great tears 10 her violet
yes.-They DO not love me-and moth
ing can live without care and love, she
added.
The minister. heart WAS swelling un.
der bis coat. but he kept very calm.
.IIow oil are you?" he asked quietly
'I am nineteen"
"Why not leave them? You are not
obliged TO stay"
, 81 have no home. no place to 60 to,
she answered sadly.
Come to me-" said the minister.
She looked at him wonderingly q mo-
ment, then she understood and went ia
him.
When she lifted her head from its nest
/, in his gray coat her eyes were glowing
, and the sweet. pale face was beautifed
. transfgured.
"Where did you get that bunch OF
a berries" he asked. touching II caress
ingly. as little gleam of sunlight
looked through an opening in the trees
and leasted moment on its warmth ane
i, brightness.
II found it lying in the road and too!
{ II up-as you have taken me-" she ans
+ wered softly.
q The bright tints that were gathering
n in the west warned that supper time wa
Il approaching. and the minister took th'
4 pail of butter from ts resting place a
ne end OF the log, and they were sool
y at the Deacon's gate. The Deacon wa
d in the barnyard feeding the fowls. ant
q the minister went out there. Melissa wen
q to the kitchen. Johane sat on the step
: with piece OF apple pie in his hand
o and she bent down and softly kissed hi
4 brown cheeks.
O "IIave YOU been courlin', Melissa?
q he asked, looking at her wonderingly
ii bet YOU have, cause your eyes lool
. lust like Della's when Tom Higgs comes
>, to see her."
: Melissa laughed and went into tn
house.
;, "How are you. MIR. Ridgely." said III
Deacon as the minister entered The barn
y, ward. at has been a fine day, sir,
: very fine day. How is the new pulp
n getting on?"
Il have not been in the church tO day,
answered the minister almost impatient
l., ly. Il came to ask you Deacon-that is
. . 10 speak with you abont Miss Perry.
= about Melissa pr asked the Deaco
O with surprise.
IA "About Melissa" answered the minis
" ter.
"Mr. Ridgely," said the Deacon with
r lens,hening face, II have tried to do m.
Jutv Inv that Girl pray for her morninl