Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-11-10

spranR on his back and turned toward
the town. Paul had by no means lost
his nervous defiance, but this gradually
wore away. Fairweathers firm tones
seemed much more, or rather pleasantly
less effective than the deacon's whip.
And while / was helping him to hitch
up Bess, he indulged in no stinted praise
of the animal he had always so highly
admired.
The accident ended agreeably after all.
Mrs. Tibbs refused TO take a back
seat on the homeward route, for she
wanted to be, go she said, where she
could Jump ain case the critter run"
And so the minister and Melinda were
seat-mates on the haneward Journey.
She had but little : ssy. but her sweet
young face gaxsd from The carriage win
dow with really thoughtful look.
Mr.. Fairweather watched her with
curiosity. 81 do believe the girls
thinking, he said to himself. There's
something to her after all.
| Although my acquaintance with our
new minister dated only year back, we
had been thrown so intimately together
that I had already found in him my most
valued friend. 1t was long after this ride
that I began to see that the interest
awakened some time before in Melinda
Tibbs was gradually deepening. One
night iokingly said to him:
"Oh, by the way, Fairweather, it
seems to me it is about time for you to
settle down in home of your own"
at will be long time before then,
Johnson"
"Need it be?" L answered. "Couldn't
you persuade Miss Melinda"
Fairweather's face flushed. "I don't
know what you are thinking about,
Johnson. do feel that Melinda-I can t
express it to you, and I see you know
how it is. The first time I saw her I
wished she could be placed in circum-
stances to bring out what there was in
her"
"Like Paul." suggested.
eff, indeed, she really had any depth
of character. Since then she has occa-
sionally given me some glimpses which
encouraged me to think that wider
sphere and larger knowledge-in short,
development in every direction--would
make OF her as noble woman as ever
lived"
Fairweathcr arose abruptly and
walked to the window, mechanically
crossed back and forth from one end of
the room to the other for some time, and
then threw himself in chair by my
side.
"What can l do about it, johnson ?"
"I don't know, Reuben" | answered,
"unless you take her in hand as you
have Paul"
For, after the runaway, he had hired
Paul for 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. It
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 Fairweather
required of him, there was never the
least sign of reluctance. But still it
was all in vain he offered the deacon q
| high price for his horse. He would not
sell him.
gave my advice most honestly, for I
| believed that he could mold character
like Melinda's into something true and
noble. But he was wiser than /, and I
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-circle with piece of
news. Melinda Tibbs was going to
spend a year with a cousin OF her father
in New York City.
| As [ have no means of following Me-
linda in her city life, there is but little
to write. In Merton, things were all
prosperous-a new element seemed to
have entered into the people, and 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.
could see he awaited MehAda's COM
ing with ne 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 "style that
was very good, but by no means every
thing. could see many ways she was
toned down, 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 en-
couraged, till she became musician
capable of giving much pleasure to
others, while her water-color sketches
were by no means devoid of merit.
And yet Fairweather was disappointed.
There was still wanting that depth OF
character, of which all her sweetness
and accomplishment could not supply
their place wanting, did I write I? II
we're better to say, this was still unre.
vealed for character as beautiful az
rare was hidden under this vivacity,
which was still to be brought into strong
light.
Three years from the time my story
opened the church bells Of Merton rang
out merrily one Thursday morning.
There was to be 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 thai
the bride is really Miss Melinda Tibbs
You surely have not forgotten her smile
and if the brown eyes have grown full O.
meaning, and the rounded lips beautiful
by more thoughtful expression, she
is stlll-but not long to be---Melindl
Tibbs. -
As Mr.. and Mrs. Fairweather leav,
the church, they drive up in an old car
ryall to Deacon Tibbss. where the we'd