The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-11-15
For, after the runaway, he had hired

~ =
Paul for a year, sent his saddle-horse
back to his father, and henceforth de-
voted an hour, sometimes more, every
day to his new favorite's education. 1t
was long time before Paul showed any
sign of abandoning his suspicious ways
and spunkiness. But gradually he found
he could trust his new master; day by
day he became, more willing to do what
was asked of, him, till there sprung up
perfect confidence between horse and
rider After this Paul never failed him;
no matter how hard the task Fairweath-
er required of him, there was never the
least SIGN of reluctanee.----Buts still it
was al in vain he offered the deacon a
high price for his horse. He would not
sell him. iasiFssS Sgf a....r.-.s bls saht
--~I gave my advice most honestly, for I
believed that he could mold IA character
like Melinda's into, something true and
noble. - But he was wiser than I, and l
am, not sure but Deacon Tibbs and his
wife were wiser than either Of, us, for
Mrs. Johnson came home from the next
ladies' sewing circie with a piece of
news .,s Melindaq Tibbs was going to
spend year with "A 2 cousin of her father
in New York City. :
As I have NO means of following Me-
linda in her city life, there is but little
to write. In Merton, things were all
prosperous new element seemed to
have entered into the people, and a new
| strength put forth. The question was
certainly decided, for all agreed that no
filter minister for the Merton church,
than Reuben Fairweather, could have
been found. .t,
II Ieould see he awaited Melinda's COM
ing with no little interest and no little
fear And when she came, she came
very much changed from the girl who
left Merton. In the first, place, my
wife said she Had gained I" style"Gthat
was very good, but by no means every
| thing. I could see many ways she was
toned dowh, quieted and rendered more
pleasing in, society. And, secondly, she
had gained more important thing, in
tellectual -culture; her.head was full of
ideas and thoughts. and on any subject
she could converse with ease And,
thirdly, she came home accomplished
her natural taste for music. had been
encouraged, till she became musician
capable Of giving much pleasure to 9th
ers, while her water-color sketches were
by no means devoid of merit.
Andye Fairweather was disappointed.
There was still wanting that depth of
character, of which all her sweetness
and accomplishments could not supply
their place wanting, did I write? It
were better to say, this was still un-
revealed; for character as beanfifll1 as
rare was hidden, under this viyacity,
which was still to be brought into strong
light. !E3Y l&t Ltfls+ Ds7}1i sft
s Three years from The time ! my i story
opened the church bells Of Merton rang
out merrily one Thursday morning.
There was to be a wedding in the
church. In the groom you will easily
recognize Fairweather, for. he has
changed but little; but you would have
to look many times before you became
quite sure that the bride is really Miss
Melinda Tibbs. You. surely ihaye not
forgotten her smile, and if the brown
eyes have grown full Of meaning, and
the rounded lips beautiful by q more
thoughtful expression, she is still-but
not long to be-Melinda Tibbs. nls
As Mr.. and Mrs. Fairweather leave
the church, they drive up in an old carry
all to Deacon Tibbs's, where the we'd
ding-dinner is awaiting. II In the most
conspicuous place on the table is large
pot of baked beans, of which both groom
and bride partake with evident enjoy
ment. H, @A
And Mr. Fairweather, amid consider
able laughter, tells the story of how he
learned to eat baked beans, while Mrs.
l rr;Ibe, ~ oLIo ,rrot boo
If you hev changed, Reuben, and I
believe you hev since then, you may be
sure It's all owing to the baked beans
i you've ate every week. For alters will
stick to it. that a man who don't eat
beans, isn't Just the man for rale hard
4 work" sig h# ts
| sThen 1 am ready for any thing
now,'' answered Reuben, pleasantly,
Judging by the quantity have eaten
: Alter timer was il over and all the
good-byes said, as the minister and his
wife stepped into the carriage, Deacon
Tibbs put note into bis hand. thread:
DEAR Son REUBEN: I found out some
time since that you had considerable grit in
. | you, or shouldr have trusted Melindy TO
You. You like that colt, Paul, and if you'd
| like, you may have him. l never could DO
any thing with him, and that you may live
long and enjoy him, and be blessed album
/ dantly-both you and your wffe-is the most
: sincere and earnest wish Of your obedient
servant, SAMUEL IIBbs.
: Mr.. W. T. Harris said in his ad-
dress at the Massachusetts State Normal
: School: 1T is in education as in other
| departments of the business of civil So