Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-04-24
prss1E,s RIDE WITH DEACON FOX.

neered round the side OF the Old buggy.
In the road stood little girl, the top
Of her head about even with the wheel
Of the Deacon's carriage, and by her
side was big basket much too heavy
for her little arms.
whats all this, what's all thisY'
cried the Deacon, sharply. what are
YOU stopping me on the road for? eh"
a. thought perhaps you would give
me a ride" said the little girl, looking
rather frig htened. ave are both going
the same way, and my basket is awful
heavy; Just lift it and see."
The Deacon started.
"May l get in % she continued,
scrambiing up. basket and all, and TAX
ing the empty seat beside him.
And never a word did the Deacon
say. but he gave old Dobbin, who had
been placidly switching the flies off with
his tail, such sharp touch of the whip,
that away they went rafting along the
road, and almost bouncing out of the
carriage. :,
Then the Deacon turned and looked
at his little companion, beginning with
the pink sun-bonnet and confiding blue
eyes beneath, and ending with the little
dusty boots that were resting on the lid
of the basket
"Hum!" said the Deacon, care you
one of the school children?"
EYES," said blue eyes, looking up.
Il am Bessie Bly,. Don't you remem-
Der missed in the multiplication table
when YOU examined us? But l know
it; it was only because you hurried me
So"
"Well, well, WELL" said the Deacon to
himself, things have come to pretty
pass" and he shook his head sadly. II
wonder what this generation will be up
to next
You see the Deacon had no little girls
or boys of his own, and the school chill
dren generally crossed the road when
they saw him coming, for they all felt
an awful dread of Mr.. Fox. 1t was he
who examined them at the end Of
school, II was he who punished the
naughty boys and reprimanded the
naughty girls; and it was he who always
asked them terrible questions when he
came to call upon their mammas.
SO 1t was a strange sight to see the old
Deacon, with his keen eyes twinkling
beneath his bushy eyebrows and his
stern, hard face, driving in his old bug
gy, with one of the school children, and
market basket by his side.
They drove along some little distance
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 ]
asked for ride?'
Tut, tut, child" said the Deacon.
Then, if you amt, why don't you
ask me who discovered America? You
always ask us that
49,, Then it is to be hoped you know by
'hls time" said the deacon. DO you
60 to Sunday school, child?"
On, yes" said Bessie. folding her
hands and crossing her thumbs as
though she were about to repeat a les.
son.
What do you learn there?"
=, learn to do unto others as would
hey should do unto me-" replied
bessie slibly, !" and to love my neighbor
as myself"
SO you learn all that" said the
deacon. "Well, that's something; and
whols your neighbor? Does he &c
oIackberrying with your
, oh yes,' said Bessie laughing, "but
lhen he is my real next door neighbor
you know. 1t don't mean l am to love
nm. Tor of course l should do that
p out 1t means l am to love everybody
Even you"
Well" said the deacon, looking
uown at her. chow are you going To
manage about that?"
Why, must love you, of course,
replied Bessie. "Do you mind very
much g'
We must do as the Sunday schoo
SAYS; replied the Deacon, and then he
laughed: though what there was tc
i.augh at Bessie couldn't for the life O
her think.
1n they went, old Dobbin, Bessie
ana the deacon, now up hill and nov
Town, till they came to tiny cottage
standing under the shadow of a biz
house.
Here's where l live" said Bessie
ggriskly land there's where YOU live
isn 1t convenient ?" and she kissed he]
r Ia to the deacon and skipped down
ne handed her the basket, and Bessie
.o!Pgening the gate and calling out
oood bye" walked up the little patti
''iat led TO the cottage door.
. On the step sat boy, a little bippe
man Bessie, whistling to himself