Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-05-22
BESSIE AND DEAC0I FOX.
HOW TO MAKE A REAL NICE APoLoG

Please. sir, give Inc a ride 2
Deacon Fox stopped his horse and
peered round the side Of his old buggy.
On the road stood little girl. the top
of her head about even with the wheei
Of the deacon's carriage, and by her
side was big basket, much too heavy
for her little arms.
What's all this, what's all this ?
cried the deacon. sharply. "What are
you stopping me on tht road for eh !"
L though, perhaps you would give
me a ride said the little girl, looking
rather frightened. We are both going
the same way, and my basket is awful
heavy just lift it and see.'
The deacon stared.
May get in ? she continued 'scram-
bling up. basket andall, and taking the
empty seat beside him.
And never word did the deacon say
but he gave old Dobbin, who had been
placidly switching the flies of with his
tail. such sharp touch OF the whip
that away they went rattling long the
road. and almost bouncing out OF the
carriage. Then the deacon turned and
locked at his little companion, begin
ming with the pink sua-bonnet, and
ending with the little dusty boots that
were resting on the lid Of the basket.
Hum y said .he deacon, ARE you one
of the school children
Yes, said Blue eyes, looking up, 1
am Bessie Bly,. Don't you remember l
missed in the multiplication table when
YOU examined us ? But l knew 1t ; II
was only because you hurried me se.'
We'll, well, WE'LL said the deacon,
things have come to a pretty pass,
and he shook his head sadly. 4 won-
der what this generation will be up to
next
You see the deacon had no little girls
or bows of his own, and the school
children generally crossed the road
when they saw him coming, for they all
felt an awesomc dread Of Mr. Fox. Ii
was he who examined them at the end
OF school. 1t was he who punished the
naughty boys, and reprimanded the
naughty girls and it was he who all
ways asked them such terrible questions
when he came to call upon their ma
mas. So it was strange sight TO see
the ola deacon, with his keen eyes
twinkling beneath his bushy eyebrows
and his stern, hard face, driving, in his
old buggy, with one of the school chill
dren, and market basket by his side.
They drove along some little dis
tance in silence, and then the deacon
felt his sleeve pulled by gentle and
rather timid fingers. He looked down
and TWO large blue eyes met his.
Are you cross" said Bessie, "cos l
asked for a ride?'
Tut, tut, child said the deacon.
Then if you amt, why don't you
talk TO me?' continued Bessie, and ask
me who discovered America? You al
WAYS ask us that
Then tits 10 he hoped you know by
this time said the deacon. DO YOU g
to sunday school. child {"
On, yes said Bessie, folding hel
hands and crossing her thumbs a.
though she were about to repeat n les
son.
=, hat do you learn there : asked the
deacon.
Il learn TO do unto others as | would
they should do unto me-, replied BIS
sic, glibly, aud to love my neighbor az
myself.
so you learn all that said the dea
con. well, that's something ; and who
IS your neighbor Does he go black
berrying with you:'
oh, yes SAID Bessie, laughing but
then he is my real next door nelghbor,
you know. 1t don't mean | am to love
HIM, for, of course, should do that.
but it means | am to love everybody
Even you.
Well said the deacon. looking down
at her, how are )ou going to manage
about that p
why, | mu.t love you. Of course,
said Bessie. DO you mind very
mdchY
We muct do as the Sunday schoe
says replied the deacon, then he laugh
ed though what there was to laugh al
Bessie couldn't for the life of hel