The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1877-07-03

L., u,,,. ,,,,sga church i'm q small American
.onn,rv Mace. a small congregation gathered TO-
,,c,ber one Sunday hear the old minister preach
one of his Old sermons. Every rev held people
well known 70 each other, and who knew each
Others business Nobody there but had heard
that Thomas Benton had eouItcd Annie Redwood.
and how sil was gong on well. when the two
grandfathers quarreiled about an acre Of ground
IN a stony, unproductiye spot, and a family iend
commenced and they were separated. ANNE
was xix and twenty now, and had never had
another sutherland Thomas had left home for
good. And there the obstinate old Rrandfathers
sat, not caring whit for all the trouble they hsd
caused and never forgiying each Others tres
passes, despite the fact that they repeated the
Lords prayer together every Sunday
Sometimes in summer there would be strange
boarders from the rity in church hut nov WAS
winter, and every one wondered to see large old
woman in a great PLAID acknowledging cloak.
and fur hood, and cap border come into chnn'h
in a hack pew Who she Was no one could
guess. and why she came to church with such
sill. She coughed loud and long. interrupsing the
sermon and the prayer. aud At last was seized
with such fit Of choking, that every head WAS
turned tshe seemed try rise but found herself
unable TO do 80. Then Annie Redwood. leaning
toward her mother whispered:
It's shame. People ought to be more Chris
,ian like in their conduct. III 60 and help her
out"
Then she arose and went softly down the aisle.
and bent over the old lady aud whispered some
thing, ON which the poor old soul arose and TOOK
her arm, and they went out Of church together.
The coughing WAS heard outside for moment or
two. but the services went ss before, and u"
one wondered thar Annie Redwood did not re-
turn.
The family expected 20 find her when they
reached home Of course; but she Vas not there
She did not come into dinner, nor did she come {"
tea Ry evening much alarm WAS felt, aud M
,uiries were made, without avail. No one had
seen the girl since she left the church doors.
There was Sunday train 10 q large city. and q
man kept watch ss the station all the day He
seeing fewer passengers on Sunday than al any
other time had noticed them all.
The old woman in the plaid cloak hsa come
10 the station, but Miss Redwood was not with
her.
ng man spoke to the old lady-nay, she
had his arm-but he might have been stranger
The old lady could not te trsced after that.
and nothing more Was heard Of Annie Red
wood.
Many thought the old woman was some dread
full person IN disguise. who had murdered Annie
for the handsome watch and ring she wore Iheh'
too. she had quite little sum in her pocket for
she had money left her by an amt aud WAS moi
dependent on her fathers gifts Of pocket money
| as the girls were
The woods were searched the ponds dragged
but in vsin and the poor girl was Al last gwen mp
for lost
The old people had been Very cruel {" her about
Thomas; now they shed bitter and unaraine
tears How much better would IL have tsen ia
let .e marry and have her still with Them
re old grsndfathers shook hands for the hrs'
time for years The families were reconciled bn'
Annie was gone and Thomas was gone. and What
was the use.
If only knew hat became ofmy girl. sighed
Mrs. Redwood.
..Ah. yes, and i'll knew my boy was alive" SAID
Mrs. Benton.
They we're all very sad, but good country P~"
pie never stay away from church for that
Sunday after Sunday they met with thei'
sad faces and the hlsrk garments they had Pn
on.
And wear rassed; and it was the day this,
Annie had disappeared: and they had all gone
as usual. and we're going homeward-
!. Mrs. Redwood was in tears.
..Ithink of Annie all day to-day" she said. 'oh
II is more than can bear Who was that old
woman What did she do to my grlr''
..Oh. mother, there she isr' cried one Of tbs
daughters.
All looked. Before them ON the road toftered
q large figure in plaid cloak coughing violently
The same old woman no doubt. But who sup
ported her, Who
..(;ood Heaven, is il a ghost," screamed
is it,r
.Annie"" screamed the girls together; ane
screaming, sobbing. regardless of what any
might think Of them. they surrounded the pair
II was Annie, alive, and holding fast to the arm
of the old woman she had helped out Of church
just year before.
Don't question me OF the road" she said. LEI
us go home"
And glad and angry. and a little terrified the
Bentons and the Redwoods entered the Redwood
homestead and closed the door on Intruders.
I'VE thought you dead, Annie - sotAsed the
mother. oh, You have been cruel!'
But see my death has reunited You all.
said Annie. returning the embrace "All here hn
Tom
"Oh. poor Tom p. said his mother. II he were
only here too
But must have an explanation" cried Mr.
Redwood, turning upon the old woman. Who are
you. madam, And whatlife has my daughter led
with your
"a happy one, hope sir." said the old woman
tossing off her bonnie, and throwing away hei
cloak-ani before them stood q tall Young man
Tom Benton. and no other. who said:
I'm this Disguise ran away with Annie year
ago. We changed costumes in the church porch
and got safety Of. Now We are here agrin, ready
for your blessing, fyou viii give il TO u.s. Arc
We forgiveni"
II was Annie's mother who said yes" first. bn'