The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-10
she was eiehteen rears old.

she was eighteen years old.
They are kind to you are they
notl" be asked.
"Yes, they are kind but-'and she
stopped abruptly.
"But what?n "Tell me all about
it," be said encoursgingly.
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
under his coat but be kept very calm.
How old are you?" be asked qui-
etly.
II am nineteen"
"Why not leave themY You are
not obliged to stay"
al have no home; no place TO 60
too," she answered sadly.
Come to me-" said the minister.
She looked at him wonderingIy a
moment, then she understood and |
went to him.
When she lifted her head from its
nest in his gray coat her eyes were
glowing, and the sweet, pale face
was beauti6ed, TRANSPORTED
Where did you get that bunch |
of berries?" he asked, touching it
carelessly, as little CLEAN of sun
light looked through an opening in
the trees and feasted d moment on /
its warmth and brightness.
81 found it lying alone in the road 1
and | took it up-as- you have taken /
me" she answered softly.
The bright tints that were gather
ing Ia the west warned her that sup
per time was approaching, and the /
minister took the pail of butter from
its resting place at the end OF the log,
and they were soon at the DeacOn's
gate. The Deacon was in the barn
yard feeding the fowls and the minis
ter went oct there. Melissa went |
to the kitchen. Johnnie sat on the /
steps with piece of apple pie in his
hand and she bent down and softly /
kissed his brown cheeks.
"Have you been a cortin' Melis-
say" be asked, looking at her won
deringly. Il bet you have, cause
your eyes look just like Della's when |
Tom Higgs comes to see her."
Melissa laughed and went 10 the |
house.
How are you, Mr.. Riigely, said |
the Deacon as the minister entered |
the barn-yard at has been a fine
day. How is the new pulpit getting
on!"
II have not been in the church to-
day." answered the minister almost
impatiently. 81 came to ask you
Deacon-tnat is to speak to you
about Miss Perry"
About Melissa" asked the Dea-
con with surprise.
About Melissa answered the
minister.
"Mr. Ridgely,n said the Deacon
win AcU6 SASAAhS AoSOg AofC
tried to do my duty by that girl /
pray for her morning and night at
family worship, and / have several
times prayed with her alone for more
than three quarters Of an hour at q
time. never let q Sunday pass
without speaking to her about the
concerns Of her soul, and yet she re-
mains Indifferent. She is growing |
hardened, and lately | have noticed |
that
"YoG haze noticed nothing Of the
kind" interrupted the minister.
Then be said rather abruptly: "Dea-
con, have asked Miss Perry to be
my wife, and as she has been men,
Der of your family for several years
| feel that it is my duty to acquaint
you"
"Your wifer' exclaimed the as
tonisbed Deacon. "Wby, Mr.. Ridge
ly, she is my help-Hy bound girll"
"She is the daughter of the late
Maxwell Perry" said the minister
quietly.
"But, sir, what will the church saw"
" | really do not know" answered |
the minister in a tone that meant II I
really do not care"
"She is from g good family" con-
tinued the Deacon, "but she is not q
church member, and l fear the con- !
gregatiOn-n
/ have thought Of accepting a call |
to the Bloomington church, said |
the minister Glyly.n
WOh, no, nor' cried the alarmed |
Deacon, "you must not think of leav-
ing US, Mr., Ridgely. The church
has never been in so prosperous a
condition, spiritually and temporarily.
Don't speak of leaving, Mr.. Ridgely. !
As to your marrying Melissa. l am
perfectly willing. / only thought.
but there is the supper bell; come up |
to the house"
Words fail 70 describe the amaze
meGt Of the Lyntonisns when they |
knew for surety that their minister
intended to marry Deacon Osgood's
"help." A few-smong whom were
Martha Jamison and Amarantha
Pesbody-hinted that he had better
resign, but they were ordered to keep
their hints to themselves by the more /
sensible ones, who when they reCOy-
cred from the shock. went TO work
to find & parsonage. Tney decided
upon q cottage opposite the church,
for which they paid the sum Of two
thousand dollars
The wedding took place Christmas
morning in the church. The minis .
ter took his bride to bis aunt's FOR q |
weeks visit, and when tsey returned
to Lynton The congregation had for
gotten that Mrs. Judson Ridgely |
was once bound girl, and received |
her with open arms. They have
never regretted their minister's choice.