The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-05-09

4
ask me who discovered American You
always ask us that
"Then it is to be hoped you know nv
this time,' said the Deacon. apo Won
go to Sundav-school, child?"
"Oh, yes" said Bessie, folding her
hands and crossing her thumbs as
though she were about to repeat a les
son.
"What do you learn therep" asked
the Deacon.
81 learn 'to do unto others as I would
they should do unto me, >" replied Bes-
sie' glibly, "and to love my neighbor as
myself" :.
So you learn all that,'' said the
Deacon. "Well, that's something; and
who is your neighbor? Does he 90
black berrying with you?'
"Oh, yes," said Bessie, laughing,
8" but then he is my real next-door
neighbor, you know. 1t don't mean |
am to love him, for, of course, should
do that, but it means am to love every
body. Even you."
Well," said the Deacon looking
down at her, show are you going to
manage about thatp"
"Why, 1 must love you, of course -
replied Bessie. "Do you mind very
much?"
"We must do as the Sunday-school
says,' replied the Deacon, and then he
laughed; though what there was to
laugh at Bessie couldn't for the life of
her think.
On they went, old Dobbin, Bessie,
and the Deacon, now up hill and now
down, till they came to tiny cottage
standing under the shadow of big
house.
Here's where I live," said Bessie,
briskly, "and there's where you live.
Isn't it cOnvenient?" and she kissed her
hand to the Deacon and skipped down.
He handed her the basket, and Bessie,
opening the gate and calling out, sGood
by" walked up the little path that led
to the cottage door
On the step sat boy, a little bigger
than Bessie, whistling to himself "Turn
around" he said to her as she drew
near. 81 want to look at your wings. -
"Wingspn repeated Bessie, her eyes
wide with amazement.
eyes, wings. Haven't you been rid
ing with the Deaconp I expected no
less.n
81 have had very pleasant ride,"
said Bessie with dignity, and she passed
by her brother and entered the house.
Well, Bessie" said her mother, who,
tea-kettle in hand, was busy making the
tea, "I am glad to see you back. I
have been thinking of you all the after
noon, walking so far with that heavy
basket; sit down, child, and rest"
But before Bessie could answer Aunt
Jemima rushed in with cap-strings fly
ing. She had been sitting in the win
dow, and saw the buggy drive up.
"Sakes alive! sister," she cried,
"Bessie's been driving with the Deacon,
and he handed her the basket with his |
own hands,"
With the Deacon?'' repeated Mrs.
Bly,. swell, Bessie, what an honor. I |
hope you thanked him prettily. What |
ever made him think of inviting you?"
"He didn't" said Bessie, untying |
her bonnet, and sitting down; 81 in
vited him. Mrs. BLY, let the tca-kettle
almost drop. Aunt Jemima held up |
her hands and sank speechless into a
chair, and Jack standing in the doorway
gave vent to whistle as shrill as a
small locomotive.
Bessie stared from one to the other. /
"What's the matterP" she said.
"Well!" cried Aunt Jemima, as soon
as she had breath enough to speak, s.if
you're not the forwardest child 1 ever
saw! Asking the Deacon, as pert as
you please, to give you ride, as if you
didn't know he was the richest man in
town, and didn't see him every blessed
Sunday passing the plate.''
"I'm astonished at you, Bessie, - said
her mother reproachfully. SIT will be
all over town, next, and what the neigh
bors will say of you Pm sure can't
think.''
eff she were my child she should go
to bed without any supper" continued
Aunt Jemima. i5}e}
"Why do you actso?" said her moth
er. "Any one would imagine, to see
you, you hadn't any bringing up. Now,
Bessie, eat this piece of bread and go to
bed"
But Bessie couldn't eat. She was
very unhappy, and all she could say
was, 81 had a very pleasant ride, mann
ma" -
As this didn't mend matters she pick
I'd up her bonnet and went upstairs.
After she had been in bed few minutes
Jack came in and sat down. The sun
vas just sinking, and the sky, which
he children could see through the open
was streaked with red and /
gold.
What made you do it, Bess,'' said
lack, who was whistling softly, and
ooking first at the little face on the pill
ow and then at the bright sky beyond.